Winter Trail Fest (WTF) Half Marathon and 5 Mile - Westside

Winter Trail Fest West – Half Marathon & 5 Mile Trail Race in Middleville, Michigan

Some call it the Winter Trail Fest. Others just think, “What the F…?!”

Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Middleville, MI for Winter Trail Fest West Half Marathon and 5 Mile trail race. This winter race is known for its unpredictable conditions—snow, slush, ice, or mud—and the famous river crossing that takes “winter trail challenge” to another level. If icy water isn’t your thing, you can skip it with a short .25-mile detour, but either way, you’ll earn every step of your WTF hoodie, medal, and bragging rights.

WTF West begins with a Noon start, giving you a chance to relax in the morning before testing your grit on the trails. The Half Marathon course features rolling hills and rugged singletrack, while the 5 Mile distance offers a fast, fun taste of winter racing. Both distances welcome runners and ruckers, making WTF West one of Michigan’s few winter trail races to feature a dedicated ruck division.

This race is perfect motivation to keep training through the winter months. Signing up for WTF West means having a goal to keep you moving when the weather makes most people stay inside. The gnarlier the conditions, the cooler the participants—and at WTF West, you’ll never forget the experience.

 
Why Run WTF West?

• Half Marathon & 5 Mile options: Choose the distance that fits your winter goals
• Run or ruck divisions: A growing ruck community side by side with runners
• Unpredictable winter trail conditions: Snow, slush, ice, mud—sometimes all in one race
• Noon start time: Sleep in and let the temps warm up before you hit the trails
• River crossing option: Test your grit or bypass with a short detour
• Swag you’ll live in: Earn the custom WTF hoodie and medal every finisher loves
• Community atmosphere: High-energy volunteers, bonfires, and post-race stories to share
• WTF + STFU Trail Series: Race Winter Trail Fest plus Summer Trail Fest Ultra (50K, Half Marathon, 5 Mile) in June to claim connecting medals and save 15% with the bundle
   

This is more than a winter race—it’s a celebration of grit, unpredictability, and Michigan’s late-February trails. Sign up for the Winter Trail Fest West Half Marathon or 5 Mile and find out why runners and ruckers come back year after year.

Regular Package

• Custom Winter Trail Fest race hoodie
  • Size not guaranteed if you register less than 30 days before the race
• WTF Half Marathon & 5 Mile Finisher's Medal, pictured below
  • This medal connects to the Summer Trail Fest Ultra, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile medal
• WTF Bumper Sticker
• Chip Timing by Trivium Racing with live results
• Post-race food and drinks
• Free race day photos available for download
• Opportunity to win awesome Overall and Age Group awards (WTF winter hats!)

Economy Package

• Chip Timing with live results
• Post Race food and drinks
• A chance at awesome age group and overall awards
• Custom race hoodie 
• WTF Finisher's Medal 
• WTF Bumper Sticker

Virtual Race

• Results included in virtual race leaderboard
• WTF race hoodie
• WTF Half Marathon & 5 Mile Finisher's Medal (this medal connects to the Summer Trail Fest Ultra, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile medal, pictured below)
• Packet available for pick up at race site or mailed (international shipping requests will incur additional shipping charges)

 

2026 Hoodie

The 2026 WTF hoodie features a geometric snowflake design printed in metallic silver ink on an Indigo Blue Gildan® Heavy Blend™ sweatshirt. Made from a soft 50/50 cotton–poly blend, it includes a double-lined hood with matching drawcord, a classic pouch pocket, and unisex sizing for a comfortable fit. Look closely and you may spot a few subtle nods to WTF hidden in the artwork—your reward for braving Michigan’s winter trails.

2026 Hoodie Size Chart

You can change your shirt size in Run Signup by following these instructions. 

 

2026 Winter Trail Fest Finisher Medal

The 2026 Winter Trail Fest medal is designed to celebrate equal parts grit and fun—because winter trail racing should be tough, memorable, and a little bit ridiculous. Measuring 3.5 inches tall, the medal features raised text, cut-out snowflake tips, and a glittery blue finish that catches the light like the sun glinting off fresh ice.

On the back, a magnetic connection allows the WTF medal to pair with the upcoming Summer Trail Fest Ultra (STFU) medal. When combined, the STFU medal fills in the snowflake cutouts, creating a complete, glitter-filled design that represents racing through both winter and summer.

Finish WTF. Return for STFU. Connect the story.

The Winter Trail Fest 5 Miler is a great intro to winter trail running, or a great early season short course trail race. Athletes will traverse unique trails not used by many other events at Yankee Springs. The course has rolling hills, and is extremely well marked with confidence marker hanging tape every .1 miles, and turn signs at every turn. Runners will have the choice to cross the frigid water about .5 mile from the finish or run a bonus .25 miles and avoid the water! Either way this is an epic way to kick off your season of racing and keep you training through the cold winter months!

Here's the course map on Strava. You can view the course and elevation, as well as download a GPX file to use with your running watch.

5 Mile Race and 5 Mile Ruck Start: 12:30 PM

Course Time Limit: 3:45 PM

 

Race Records

 

Michigan

Mega Medal Series

Prove It 5K/10K:  April 18, 2026 at the GM Milford Proving Ground in Milford, Michigan

Trenton Summerfest Half Marthon, 8K, & 5K:  June 27, 2026 at Elizabeth Park in Trenton, Michigan

Dearborn Decades 5K:  August 9, 2026 at Ford Field Park in Dearborn, Michigan

Run the 313 5K:  August 22, 2026 at Palmer Park in Detroit, Michigan

Growler Gallop Atwater 10 Mile & 5K:  September 27, 2026 at Atwater Brewery in Detroit, Michigan

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon & 7.5 Mile:  November 27, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

 

Trail

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) East Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 14, 2026 at Island Lake Rec Area in Brighton, Michigan

Winter Trail Fest (WTF) West Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  February 21, 2026 at Yankee Springs Rec Area in Middleville, Michigan

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  April 11, 2026 at Proud Lake Rec Area in Commerce Township, Michigan

Summer Trail Fest Ultra (STFU) 50 Mile, 50K, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile:  June 13, 2026 Sleepy Hollow Rec Area in Laingsburg, Michigan

Moonlight Bootlegger 5k:  May 9, 2026 at Maybury State Park in Northville, Michigan

Wolverine State 100 100M, 100K, 100M Relay, & 50K:  October 10-11, 2026 from Petoskey to Alpena in Northern Michigan

 

Road

Thumb Coast Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  April 25, 2026 from Harbor Beach to Caseville in Michigan's Thumb

Rock CF Thumb Coast Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K:  November 8, 2026 from Caseville to Port Austin in Michigan's Thumb

 

North Carolina

Road Mega Medal Series

Only Fools Run Half Marathon, 10K, & 5K:  March 28, 2026 at Jaycee Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Pig Pounder Brewery 5K:  April 12, 2026 at the Pig Pounder Brewery in Greensboro, North Carolina

Elm Street Run Festival:  May 9, 2026 at LeBauer Park in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Distilling Speakeasy 5k:  June 13, 2026 at Greensboro Distilling Co. and SouthEnd Brewing in Greensboro, North Carolina

Greensboro Half Marathon, 5K, & 1 Mile:  November 21, 2026 starting at Battleground Ave in Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Trail Mega Medal Series

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Half Marathon & 5 Mile:  January 17, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

Northern Trails 17 Mile, 10 Mile & 5 Mile:  March 7, 2026 at Northern Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina

Owls Roost Rumble Half Marathon & 4 Mile:  April 25, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Triple Lakes Trail Race 40 Mile, Marathon, & Half Marathon: October 24, 2026 at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro, North Carolina

Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler: November 27, 2026 at Snow Camp, North Carolina

 

Multisport Mega Medal Series

Belews Lake Sprint Triathlon & Duathlon: April 18, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Big Mack Sprint Triathlon:  June 20th, 2026 at Lake Cammack in Burlington, North Carolina

High Point Sprint Triathlon:  August 8, 2026 at Oak Hollow Marina in High Point, North Carolina

Belews Lake Olympic Triathlon & Duathlon:  September 12, 2026 at Belews Lake Marina in Stokesdale, North Carolina

Nat Greene's Revenge Triathlon & Duathlon: October 3, 2026 at Lake Brandt Marina in Greensboro, North Carolina

 

Multisport

Northeast Park Duathlon:  February 28, 2026 at Northeast Park in Gibsonville, North Carolina

 

Trail

Groundhog’s Lap Race: January 31, 2026 at Haw River State Park, North Carolina

Moonlight Bootlegger 5K:  May 2, 2026 at Hagan Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Carpe Diem Carpe Noctem Morning & Evening Half Marathon & 10K:  September 12, 2026 at Hagan-Stone Park in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra & Relay:  September 19, 2026 in Danbury, North Carolina

 

Road

Running of the Lights:  January 1st at Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina

Blackbeard's Revenge 100 Ultra & Relay 100M, 100K, & 100M Relay:  March 21-22, 2026 in the Outer Banks in Corolla, North Carolina

 

Pennsylvania

End of the Road Half Marathon & One Tunnel 4 Mile:  October 24-25, 2026 on the old Pennsylvania Turnpike in Waterfall, Pennsylvania

 

West Virginia

Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay 50M, 50K, & 50M Relay:  May 17, 2026 in New River Gorge National Park, running from Montgomery to Thurmond, West Virginia

Check out the 2026 comprehensive athlete guide to answer any nagging questions you may have about the race. If you can't find an answer here, shoot us a message!  Email Cathi at cathi@triviumracing.com.

  

Updated 01/07/2026 (HG)

 

 

If your team has 10+ members registered two weeks before race day, you’ll enjoy:

• A team tent set up by Trivium, featuring a banner with your club's name/logo
• Your registration packets, ready at the tent (skip packet pickup lines)
  • In order for your race packet (shirt, bib, etc.) to be pulled and available at your club tent, you must be registered as part of the club by the Monday before the race at 11:59 pm EST.
• Food, drinks, and goodies waiting for your team.

Check the Groups/Teams tab and see how many people your team currently has registered!  Questions about Club Benefits? Reach out to Megan at megan@triviumracing.com.

The Half Marathon course at Yankee Springs uses trails not used by a lot of the other Yankee Springs events. This is a fun opportunity to check out some unique areas of Yankee, and also challenge yourself on this winter trail course. The course is well marked with hanging tape confidence markers every .1 miles and turn signs at every single turn on the course. 5+ aid stations keep athletes prepared for the miles ahead with water/Gatorade and gels. Runners will have the choice to cross the frigid water about .5 mile from the finish or run a bonus .25 miles and avoid the water! Either way this is an epic way to kick off your season of racing!

This is a course map on Strava. You can view the course and elevation, as well as download a GPX file to use with your running watch.

Half Marathon Ruck and Early Start: 11:00 AM
Pre Race Meeting: 11:50 AM
Half Marathon Race Start: 12:00 PM

Half Marathon Cut off at Mile 7.2: 2:04 PM
Half Marathon Cut off at Mile 10.1: 2:53 PM

Course Time Limit: 3:45 PM (17:10 pace)

 

Race Records

Testimonials from Past Participants

 

"Such a great run today! I was very grateful for the great communication ahead of the event, how smoothly everything went at the event, and especially how well-marked the trails were!! Thank you so much!!" - Judy K.

 

 

"Thank you for a great race! The trail was marked perfectly and we couldn’t have had nicer weather for this time of year! Thanks to all of the volunteers, too!" - Jill 

 

"Thanks for a great race! Beautiful trail, a gorgeous day, and awesome volunteers!" -Hannah EA

 

Winter Trail Fest Half Marathon and 5 Mile Westside offers a referral refund program. This is a fun & easy way to get your friends, teammates, family, or coworkers to sign up to race with you.  Bonus:  You get a little money back on your registration fee!

Referral Incentives:

• 5 Mile Participants: Refer 5 people who sign up to race and you get a $10 race registration refund
• Half Marathon Participants: Refer 5 people who sign up to race and you get a $25 race registration refund

How does this work?

Share your specific referral code link that came in your original registration confirmation email.  Once you get the above-mentioned people to register using your code, you'll get your registration refund. Start sharing your link today!

You can also locate your personal referral link by clicking this link for instructions.

Those wishing to race in the ruck category must provide their own pack/vest and weight. Ruckers and their packs/vests will both be pre-weighed 20 minutes prior to the race at the starting line.

• Ruckers Under 150lbs must have a pack/vest with 20 lbs
• Ruckers Over 150lbs must have a pack/vest with 30 lbs

Additional Rules:

• Ruck weight must be on the athlete at all times.
• No specific pack is required.
• Ruck weight may be a combination of the pack and the weight.
• Ruck weight may not be consumable

*Due to starting ahead of the race there is a chance early aid stations will not be set up when ruckers pass by depending on their speed.

If you would like more information about rucking, click here.

Course Records

To complete your virtual race and receive your finisher medal and shirt, follow these steps:

1. Run your Half Marathon or 5 Mile at a place and time of your choosing.
2. Track your time with a watch or fitness app.
3. Report your time on our results page by clicking "Submit Virtual Results". Results can be submitted anytime between February 1st through February 21st. Don't forget to share your virtual race selfies too! If you have trouble, here's a step-by-step guide!

Once all results are submitted, shirts and finisher medals will be mailed out within 10 days after race day. Please double check that your mailing address is correct on your registration before February 21st! No packets will be available after February 28th.

Virtual participants are not eligible for awards. An extra charge will be applied for international shipping. Contact us if you need a quote for international shipping.

Any changes to virtual on or after race day will be subject a shipping charge.

Race Day (February 21st): 

• Packet Pickup & Ruck Weigh in Starts: 10:15 AM  – 11:45 AM
• Half Marathon Ruck Weigh in Ends:  10:40 AM
• Half Marathon Ruck and Early Start: 11:00 AM
• Pre Race Meeting: 11:50 AM
• Half Marathon Race Start: 12:00 PM
• 5 Mile Ruck Weigh in Ends: 12:10 OM
• 5 Mile Race and 5 Mile Ruck Start: 12:30 PM
• 5 Mile Award Ceremony: Approx. 1:30 PM
• Half Marathon Cut off at Mile 7.2: 2:04 PM
• Half Marathon Cut off at Mile 10.1: 2:53 PM
• Half Marathon Award Ceremony: Approx. 3:15 PM
• Course Time Limit: 3:45 PM

Event Location & Parking will be available at Deep Lake Campground.

 

Parking:

Parking will be available at Deep Lake Campground. Volunteers will direct you to parking on race day.

 

This is a state park.  To enter the state park you will need a State Park Passport (good at all parks year round) upon arrival.  This money will be collected at the gate if you do not already have one, but it's cheaper to get it ahead of time!

 

Parking Fees:

• Non-Resident Daily Pass: $11
• Non-Resident Annual Pass: $40
• Michigan Recreation Passport (ALL Michigan license plates): $19
  • All vehicles registered in Michigan will need the Recreation Passport for $19. There is not a day pass for in-state vehicles.
  • The pass can be purchased from the Secretary of State when renewing tabs for a discounted rate of $14.

• Awards for top three overall males, females and non-binary in each distance.
• Awards for top three male and female age group placers. Age groups: 14 & under; 15-19; 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70-74; 75-79; 80+
• Top 3 overall male and female Ruckers for the Half Marathon and 5 Mile.
  • Ruckers will be weighed prior to the race.
  • Ruckers under 150lbs must have a backpack with 20lbs, ruckers over 150Lbs must have a backpack with 30lbs
• Virtual participants will not be eligible for awards.
• Awards not picked up on race day will be subject to a $10 shipping fee. Awards will only be mailed 2 weeks from the event date.
• This race is chip timed by Trivium Racing.

2026 AG Award Displayed Below

        

    

Virtual 5 Mile: Hooded Sweatshirt

5 Mile: Hooded Sweatshirt

5 Mile Ruck: Hooded Sweatshirt

Half Marathon: Hooded Sweatshirt

Virtual Half Marathon: Hooded Sweatshirt

Half Marathon Ruck: Hooded Sweatshirt

Half Marathon - Early Start (No Awards): Hooded Sweatshirt