Sleeping Giant Trail Runs 2027

Sleeping Giant Trail Runs takes runners into Sleeping Giant State Park in Hamden, Connecticut, for a challenging trail race with 25K and 50K distances. The 50K begins at 7:00 AM, the 25K at 8:00 AM, and both utilize the same 25K loop starting from the Pavilion within the park. The park offers over 30 miles of trails, but this race focuses on the demanding terrain: rocky singletrack, winding technical sections, short scrambles, and over 3,000 feet of elevation gain per loop. The 50K is two circuits of this course, meaning participants moving up in distance traverse the same terrain twice. The loop commences with approximately 5 mostly runnable miles on rolling singletrack, then shifts dramatically at the headwall climb: over 500 feet ascended in just 0.3 miles via a rock scramble towards the park's summit. Steep Endurance organizes the event, and their Connecticut races attract trail runners who prefer rugged terrain over smooth road pacing. The first running clearly demonstrated the challenge: 96 runners started the 50K, with 82 finishing within 12 hours, while 145 runners completed the 25K within 8 hours. Top finishers have included Justin Kousky winning the 50K in 5:12:47 and Timmy Parr winning the 25K in 2:22:00, though the course is designed for steady climbers as much as for fast runners.