Thinking About Stepping Up From 10 Miles to 20?

Leaving the 10-mile group behind

If you have run a 10-mile trail race, you already know something important.

You know how to pace yourself.
You know how to stay patient when the trail rolls.
You know how effort changes over time.

That matters more than speed ever will.

For many runners, the idea of a 20-mile trail race does not arrive as a sudden decision. It shows up gradually. Often, after a strong 10-mile finish. Or during a long training run that feels steadier than expected. The thought is not “Can I do it?” but “Maybe I am closer than I think.”

The step from 10 miles to 20 miles is not about doubling intensity. It is about extending the skills you already have.

A 20-mile trail race asks for the same things you used at 10 miles, just applied for longer. Steady pacing. Fueling before you feel behind. Managing small discomforts before they grow. Letting the day unfold rather than forcing it.

At Willow, the 20-mile distance is designed with this progression in mind. The course rewards runners who stay controlled early and remain attentive to effort rather than pace. The environment is calm. The trails are clearly marked. Volunteers understand that runners at this distance are managing more than just fatigue. They are managing decisions.

Most runners who successfully step up to 20 miles are not the fastest in the field. They are the most patient. They are willing to slow down early so they can keep moving later. They respect the distance without being intimidated by it.

If you have completed a 10-mile trail race and walked away feeling strong, curious, and steady, a 20-mile race may be the right next step. Not as a test of toughness, but as an opportunity to deepen your understanding of what you are capable of over time.

The Willow 20-Mile Trail Race offers a supportive place to make that transition. It is challenging, fair, and designed for runners who are ready to stay present for the long effort.

Registration for the 2026 Willow 20-Mile Trail Race is open now, with early registration savings available.

If you are thinking about stepping up, you may already be more ready than you realize.