Welcome to Snow Moon Trail Run!
Presented by Blake’s Hard Cider Co
Here is your 2025 Participant Guide
Dig Deep, Blake’s Hard Cider, Jolt Credit Union and Bayne’s Apple Valley welcome you to the 9th Annual Snow Moon Trail Run! We, along with our partners at Midland City Forest, and Runners Athletic Company are excited to bring you this unique and challenging race event. We hope you enjoy it as much as we love putting it on!
We know there are lots of questions about what the course is going to be like. Unfortunately, as is the case in this great state of ours, it is almost impossible to predict what weather and course conditions will be. We highly recommend coming prepared with some of the basics for night-time, winter trail running: a headlamp or light source; traction for your shoe soles; and technical clothing for cold and/or wet weather running. We will do our best to get the trails prepared but as those who’ve participated in the past know, “it’ll be what it is” on race day. Please be prepared for whatever that may be! The event will go on unless storms or other dangerous weather prevent it (or if it is shut down due to pandemic circumstances).
This year, in addition to Blake’s Hard Cider beverages and the standard “gourmet” cupcakes, craft beer from a few of our Michigan Breweries will be available at the finish line. Runners Athletic Company will be on-site serving hot chocolate and will be taking Snow Moon Polaroids and handing out valuable store coupons. We WILL have the usual awesome aid station (Snow Moon Junction) providing water and salty snacks for those who prefer not to carry hydration and nutrition. Post race treats of cupcakes and beverages will be provided. Read below for more!
Packet Pickup AND Race Location: Midland City Forest, 2840 E Monroe Rd, Midland, MI 48640
Packet Pickup and Late Registration:
Saturday, February 8th, 2025 from 3:30-6:30PM at Midland City Forest’s Monroe Rd Entrance and site of Snow Moon Trail Run
Race Start Times:
5k (1 Lap) Day Event - begins at 4:30PM. Start cutoff time 4:35PM
25K (5 Lap) Event - begins at 6:00PM. Start cutoff time 6:05PM
15k (2 Lap) Event - begins at 6:30PM. Start cutoff time 6:35PM
5k (1 Lap) Night Event - begins at 7:00PM. Start cutoff time 7:05PM
Important Information:
A SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE LONGER DISTANCE RUNNERS: The “aid station” (Full Moon Junction) will be passed twice on each 5K lap. There will be water, gatorade, Coca Cola, Pepsi, cookies, pretzels, pringles and possibly other not-so-hydrating beverages available at the station. If you’d like to bring your own drinks/gels/snacks you may leave them at the merchandise table near the finish arch (in the event tent) where you’ll be able to stop at the end of each lap before crossing the arch to consume your personal goodies.
FOR EVERYONE
Please bring valid Identification. All legal-aged participants will receive a wrist band and 2 beverage tickets at packet pickup. We cannot issue wrist bands (required to drink) without checking I.D.s!
All participants will receive a Snow Moon Trail Run Pint Glass at packet pickup.
Bring some extra cash if you’re interested in shirts, hoodies, beanies, pint glasses, and other swag. We will have limited quantities available for sale during packet pickup on a first come, first serve basis!
Parking will be at City Forest as well as along the SOUTH Side of Monroe Rd. The Eagles parking lot is also available and is a short walk from the event tent. Parking at City Forest will be very limited as the location is also used for sledding and ice skating. If the weather is good then City Forest becomes a pretty popular area for the locals.
We will have a fenced-in event area for post-race activities. Please do not take drinks outside of the fenced-in area.
Alcohol is allowed on-site at Midland City Forest but we would like to keep it within the fenced event area.
Race bibs are color-coded by event and MUST be worn uncovered on the front of the body. Be sure to smile when crossing the finish line the first time through as photographer Todd Boone from Meaningful Moments Photography will be taking your FREE online participant photo!
PLEASE do not walk or jog more than 2 people abreast (next to each other). This race is all about fun - especially if you have friends with you - but it IS a race and we don’t want faster runners to be impeded by blockage of the trail. Be cognizant of those coming up from behind.
If you need to change events, please notify staff during packet pickup. Moving down is simple enough, but those moving up will incur a fee of $10.
Merchandise will be picked up after obtaining race bibs. Limited exchanges MAY be available based on merchandise availability. Refunds will not be allowed.
PLEASE NOTE: If you purchased merchandise (i.e., shirts, hoodies, etc.), you MUST pick this merchandise up during packet pickup. You may have a friend pick up items for you. Anything not collected before the close of packet pickup will be considered forfeit. We will NOT mail or ship items.
If you’d like to “drop” a bag of personal items in the event area, please bring a bag with you and have your name attached! Event Staff at the merchandise table inside the event tent will be happy to hold your bag for you. Warm clothes for after your race might be nice.
Don’t drink and drive! We are all about having fun and celebrating your accomplishment with a cold cider or two, but drink responsibly. We love you guys and want to see you back for Red Moon Trail Run in August!
Come to have fun!
Parking - IMPORTANT!
PACKET PICKUP IS AT CITY FOREST! Please review route to park to ensure you arrive in time to park, pick up your packet and make the start.
City Forest has limited parking and may be full from park day users. If full, you may park along the SOUTH side of Monroe Road between the Eastman Road and Sturgeon Road. Please... ONLY on the SOUTH side (the side the park is on).
Race Course
FAQ’s
Can I change my distance? Yes! But ONLY prior to race time (no changing on the fly). Moving down in event won’t cost you anything, but a $10 fee will be applied to any increase in distance. Arrive early and ask when picking up your race bib if you’re interested in changing events!
What is the terrain like? Will I need traction for my shoes? It’s difficult to predict what the trail conditions will be like come race night. It is recommended that runners have access to high quality traction solutions for their shoes in case the course should be icy and slippery. Check out traction products that can be purchased locally at area Runners Athletic Company locations and Complete Runner locations!
How cold will it be in the event tent? Probably pretty cold… but it IS February. Prior to race time, Runners Athletic Company will be on hand with hot chocolate and s’mores! And we’ll have several fire barrels outside the event tent to warm up at. Might be good to bring warm gear for after the event.
Can I bring my dog to this race? Dogs are welcome to spectate. Unfortunately, per USA Track & Field (sanctioning body for this event), dogs other than service animals are not allowed to participate at sanctioned events. We’re bummed as we loved having the pooches at races. :(
Do I need a head lamp? We HIGHLY recommend head lamps so you can see where you are stepping. Trail races by nature require more attention to one’s footing. Snow and darkness increase the need to be more aware of your footing. Trails will be “marked” by small LED lights that do NOT provide ambient light and are intended only to help provide direction.
Will the trail be lit or marked? The trail will not be lit. However, there will be LED lights and course markings to guide runners through the course.
Will there be an aid/water station on the course? Yes. The course constricts for a bridge crossing at approximately the .75 mile mark. An aid station (named Full Moon Junction) providing water and light snacks for the distance folks will be set up at sign 11 on the event map so that runners will pass by it twice for every 5k lap.
Do I need special running shoes for this race? Not necessarily, though winter and/or trail specific shoes would help tremendously in keeping your footing on this course. We recommend you visit our friends/partners at Runners Athletic Stores in Midland, Saginaw, Bay City, and Mt Pleasant and Complete Runner in Flint and Grand Blanc to find the best available options!
Can I wear snowshoes for this race? Sure you can. Why the heck not.
Can I wear cross-country skis for this race? Nope.
Can I walk or ruck instead of run? Absolutely. We ask that you sign up ONLY for the 1 Lap 5k or the 3 Lap 15k races and that you remain to the side of the trail and out of the path of runners if you choose to walk or ruck though.
Will there be beer at the race? There WILL be beer this year! In addition to lots of Blake’s Cider! Midland City Forest DOES allow open container alcohol so long as its not in glass receptacles. We ask that all drinks remain within the fenced event area.
Can I bring my own beverages? Midland City Forest allows open non-glass containers. However, outside alcohol of any sort will not be openly allowed inside the event area out of respect for our Presenting Sponsor Blake’s Hard Cider Co.
Will there be a drop bag area? We will have an area behind the registration table to drop bags. Please have your own bag and have your name clearly identifying it somewhere on the bag.
Will I be able to buy shirts or pint glasses? A limited number of this year’s and past Moon Trail Run t-shirts will be available in various sizes. There may also be pint glasses from past Snow Moon and Red Moon Trail races. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted!
Awards
Top 3 Overall Fastest 5k Day Event (1 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish actual)*
Top 3 Overall Fastest 5k Night Event (1 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish actual)*
Top 3 Overall Fastest 15k (3 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish actual)*
Top 3 Overall Fastest 25k (5 Lap) Male & Female (gun start – chip finish actual)*
*Overall Awards will be issued ONLY after the last participant by gender from each event has crossed the finish line. If you believe you are eligible for an award, please do your best to stay to receive it. It is unlikely we will be able to ship plaques.
Age Group Awards will be issued for First Place Only Male and Female in each of the following groupings:
14 & Under
15-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50-59
60-69
70+
*All Awards will be determined based on GUN START times.
Both actual and adjusted results will be displayed at the event and will be posted at DIGDEEPRACES.COM within 48 hours of race completion.
For cool images and to keep up to date on Moon Run registration and happenings, please be sure to follow us through Social Media. We know it can be exhausting…but we want you to be AWARE! (And emails often get caught up in spam boxes) Don’t miss out on future offers or (GASP) take the chance on not getting in to Snow Moon Trail Run next year! Follow Us!
Be sure to check out our awesome sponsors and partners!
Refund and Transfer Policy
We completely understand that plans change and athletes will sometimes be unable to compete in an event they've signed up for. We also understand that registering for one of our events is a financial investment in that race. We accept your registration funds with the full intention of putting on the promised event with the listed amenities and we use your registration funds to pay for the necessary items and services needed to host the event. With that in mind, refunds will not be provided for this event unless the event is cancelled for reasons within our control. The following are examples (but not limited to) of reasons an event might be canceled that are NOT within our control: Dangerous weather; natural disasters; pandemics; acts of terrorism; local emergencies; government mandates; and any situation creating a threat to safety of participants, volunteers, staff or bystanders.
Should an athlete have an injury or other medical issue keeping them from competing in an event they've registered for, we would be happy to transfer their registration to a similar TriToFinish-owned event up to and including the same event the following season. A doctor's slip may be required as proof of injury or ailment. Failure to provide proof if requested will result in non-transfer of the event.
Transferring registrations to other runners/athletes is NOT allowed.