
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
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
Course Info
Course Type
Loop Course
Terrain
trail
Scenery
Forest, Mountain
Surface
Dirt Trail
Difficulty
Rolling Hills
Quality Score
first year
no finisher counts yet
small race — neutral
needs a few years of results
3 timing sources
no finisher data yet
no winner time yet
typical high 77°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (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.
Explore More Journeys
Can't make it to Ruidoso? Discover other experiences that match your running style.
Search All Races