New Year, New Goal: Why Willow Is a Spring Training Milestone

2025 Willow 10-Miler Start

The start of a new year brings a familiar question for runners.
What am I training toward?

For many, the answer is not about chasing a big finish line moment. It is about choosing a goal that brings structure, consistency, and purpose to the months ahead.

The Willow 10 and 20-mile Trail Race is designed to be that kind of goal.

Held on well-maintained state park trails, Willow offers a challenging but welcoming course that rewards steady effort. It is the kind of race that fits naturally into spring training plans, whether you are stepping up to a longer distance or using it as a key milestone on the way to something bigger.

What runners consistently tell us they value about Willow is not just the course itself, but the experience around it. Clear markings. Supportive volunteers. A calm, focused race environment where runners of many backgrounds and ability levels feel like they belong.

Willow is not about spectacle. It is about showing up prepared, running your race, and leaving with the satisfaction that comes from putting in the work.

Registration for the 2026 Willow 10 and 20-mile Trail Race is now open, with early registration savings available for a limited time.

If you are looking for a spring goal that feels earned and fits naturally into your training, Willow may be the right place to start.