HalfRuns
Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs

Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs

Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs: mountain trail racing at 6900 feet, with cake.

Race Date

Aug 22, 2026

Location

Ruidoso, NM

Quick facts

Date
Saturday, August 22, 2026
Location
Ruidoso, New Mexico
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi)
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Trail
USATF certified
Not listed

Highlights

Atmosphere

Local CommunityParty FinishGreat MedalGreat Post Race

The Experience

The Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs take over Wingfield Park on a cool August morning, sending runners onto the forested trails of the Lincoln National Forest at 6,900 feet. With distances from a 4-miler to a half-marathon-heavy (13.8 miles), the courses wind through pine and aspen, offering a taste of high-altitude trail running without the typical vert. Start and finish in midtown Ruidoso, where the altitude makes every breath count.

Now in its 12th year, the event has raised over $60,000 for the All-Season Adaptive Sports program, supporting individuals with disabilities. Post-race, runners are treated to a lively party with cake, free professional photos, and a granite stone coaster finisher medal—a tangible memento of a day spent on the trails. It's a community-driven race with a cause, drawing a loyal local crowd and visitors seeking a scenic, low-key trail experience.

Race-provided description

Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs    Sat, August 22, 2026 7:00 AM MDT   Add to calendar     300 Center Street, Ruidoso, NM    Visit Website     Facebook     Join us on August 22, 2026, for the 12th annual Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs at Wingfield Park in downtown Ruidoso, NM. This year’s event features a Half Marathon Heavy (13.8 miles) starting at 7:00 AM, an 8.5 Miler at 7:15 AM, and a 4 Miler also at 7:30 AM. Celebrate a decade of trail running with custom commemorative swag, delicious cake, and a lively post-race party. Since 2014, the Grindstone Trail Runs have been supported by the Village of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, and the US Forest Service. Proceeds benefit the All-Season Adaptive Sports program, which enriches the lives of individuals with disabilities through snow sports and recreation. Over the past eleven years, more than $60,000 has been donated to this program. A great family event starting & finishing at Wingfield Park with three different trail running distances. Start and finish at Wingfield Park in Midtown Ruidoso (altitude 6900 feet). All participants will receive a commemorative engraved granite stone coaster finisher's medal, a custom soft-style shirt, a custom race bib, and FREE professional race photos.  T-shirt size guaranteed to everyone registered by midnight on August 13th. Post-race showers will be available at the Ruidoso Athletic Club. Photographers will be on hand, so smile! Check out our 2025 photos. https://travismcwhorter.smugmug.com/2025-Events/2025-Grindstone-Trail-Runs Downshift Brewing Company will offer discounts to all participants and host our after-party. FOOD, AND & BEER!! HALF MARATHON HEAVY ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7:00 am 8.5 MILER start @ 7:15 am 4 MILER start @ 7:30 am KIDS DASH starts @7:40 am Races start and finish at Wingfield Park in Downtown Ruidoso, 300 Center St.  

RACE FEES 4 MILER 11-18 to 1-31 / $27 2-1 to 04-30 / $30 5-1 to 7-15 / $37 7-16 to 8-20 / $44 after 8-22 $47 8.5 MILER 11-18 to 1-31 / $37 2-1 to 04-30 / $40 5-1 to 7-15 / $47 7-16 to 8-20 / $54 after 8-21 $57 13.8 MILER 11-18 to 1-31 / $47 2-1 to 04-30 / $50 5-1 to 7-15 / $57 7-16 to 8-20 / $74 After 8/21 $77 RACE FEES Kid's Dash (Includes Custom Kids Finishers Medal) $12 11-18 to 8-20 / 8-21 to race morning $16 (only event you can register race morning)  

Description Packet Pick-up Friday, August 21st, 2026: 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP Wingfield Park 300 Center Street (across from the RAC under the pavilion): 6:00 am to 6:45 am Race morning briefing @ 6:50 am. HALF MARATHON HEAVY RACE STARTS 7.00 AM Sharp. 8.5 7:15 AM Sharp & 4 MILE 7:30 AM Sharp. KID'S RUN STARTS AT 7:40 AM Sharp. CHIP TIMING*. NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON. BIB NUMBERS/RACE ENTRIES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE For your safety & the safety of others: NO PETS ALLOWED, NO STROLLERS, NO E-BIKES ON THE TRAILS 2 water/filling stations on the course for Heavy Half Marathon & 8.5 (filling stations available at Wingfield Park, MM5 & MM9). Please bring your own hydration container. Race Description HEAVY HALF MARATHON ( 13.8 miles) start @ 7.00 am CUT-OFF TIME: 5:00Hours. If you cannot finish before 12:30 pm on race day, we will not offer any support: NO timing; NO awards; NO EMT or Police; NO refreshments or food. A little longer than an official half-marathon, but what’s a few extra yards between friends !!! You will get a smorgasbord of heart-pounding hills and technical downhills to satisfy your trail runner's desire. Walkers are discouraged for this distance, but 2 other distance options are available. Start & finish at Wingfield Park CUPLESS EVENT - We’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. 2 refill water station (no cups), junction between 8.5M & Half (MM9), Half (MM7). Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line. Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners (Male & Female) Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female). Complimentary Race Photos available Souvenir Charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female): 10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up. Complimentary Race Photos available EACH INTERSECTION ON THE TRAIL (4 & 8.5 MILE, 13.8M) WILL HAVE DIRECTIONAL SIGNS WiTH EVENT DiSTAnCE 8.5 MILER start @ 7.15 am If you need a challenge, you’ll face a nice variety of hills & slopes to improve your trail runner technique. Start & finish at Wingfield Park. CUPLESS EVENT- we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. Water refill station on the course. Carry your own - we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. One refill station (MM5). Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners (Male & Female) Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female). Complimentary race photos available Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female): 10-15; 16-19;20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up. Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line. 4 MILER start @ 7.15 am Perfect distance for a beginner trail runner. 1/2 paved & 1/2 trail, an ideal introduction to this new discipline. Walkers welcomed. Start & finish at Wingfield Park. CUPLESS EVENT: No water station on the course. Carry your own; we’ll have filling stations at Wingfield Park. Refreshments & fruits will be provided at the finish line. Famous Ruidoso carved bear awards to the TOP three overall winners (Male & Female) Commemorative Finisher medal for all participants (Male & Female). Souvenir award charms to 1st, 2nd & 3rd in each age group (Male & Female): 10-15; 16-19; 20-24;25-29;30-34;35-39;40-44;45-49;50-54;55-59;60-64;65-69;70-74;75 & up. Kid's Dash  One loop around Wingfield Park Souvenir Kids Medal Awarded to everyone!! For questions, please contact Shane Asbury (RD) info@wanderlust.run

Logistics

Race Day

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Start Time

7:00 AM

Start Location

300 Center St., Ruidoso, NM, 88345

Directions

Course Info

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

trail

Scenery

Forest, Mountain

Surface

Dirt Trail

Difficulty

Rolling Hills

Quality Score

Methodology
Heritage0/20

first year

Size0/15

no finisher counts yet

Momentum3/5

small race — neutral

Loyalty0/20

needs a few years of results

Course & details3/15

3 timing sources

National draw0/10

no finisher data yet

Front-pack speed0/5

no winner time yet

Weather0/10

typical high 77°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

58°

Afternoon (High)

77°

Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively

0.1"

Precipitation

9 mph

Wind

62%

Humidity

Frequently asked

When is the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs?

The Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs is held on Saturday, August 22, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM.

Where does the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs take place?

It takes place in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

What distances does the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles).

Is the Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs course flat and good for a PR?

The Ruidoso Grindstone Trail Runs is a rolling hills, loop course course.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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