Trail Marathons in October
Peak foliage, crisp starts, and the year's best racing weather.
October trail marathons run through hardwood color in New England and the Appalachians, and through the reopening desert in the Southwest. Cool mornings, dry trail and leaf-covered footing make it a favorite month for runners who'd rather race than suffer.
Count back from race day
- Early April: start the 10-week primer
- Mid-June: start the 18-week plan
- Late September: peak week
- Mid-October: race day
Your training season. The hot build. July and August carry your biggest weeks, so run at dawn and save midday for strength. The payoff: peak week lands on the first cool mornings of fall.
Masters Athlete Insights
Heat adaptation takes longer with age. Give the first two weeks of the build to settling into summer before you push the hills.
Start the 16-week 50K plan · Not 26 weeks out yet? Begin with the 10-week primer.
