Devils Shadow Winter Trail Races

The Devils Shadow Winter Trail Races, held on January 31, 2026, in Honeoye Falls, NY, offers a unique winter challenge with distances of 50K, 25K, and 5 miles. This event, the third in the Common Ground Winter Trail Series, invites runners to embrace the colder months on the scenic trails of Mendon Ponds Park. Typical race day conditions often see highs around 32F and lows near 15F, with a minimal 8% chance of precipitation, creating a crisp, invigorating atmosphere for a memorable race experience.

The course features an approximately 5.1-mile loop that starts and finishes at Hopkins Point Lodge, winding around the picturesque Devil's Bathtub while largely avoiding major hills and road crossings. While the terrain is described as hilly with some rocks, roots, or ruts, the focus for the 50K and 25K races, which begin at high noon, is on chasing the diminishing daylight as shadows lengthen. Runners will find themselves enveloped in a calm and new focus as darkness descends, eventually requiring headlamps for later loops.

Beyond the challenging trails, the Devils Shadow Winter Trail Races are renowned for their warm and supportive atmosphere. Hopkins Point Lodge serves as the race headquarters and a well-stocked aid station at the end of each loop. Here, runners can refuel with hot apple cider, Skratch Hydration, Gu Energy gels, hearty options like pierogi and quesadillas, and comforting bone broth or veggie broth, along with an array of other snacks. This welcoming hub provides not just sustenance but also the encouragement of warm people, ready to offer high-fives and a hot drink, ensuring runners feel supported through the growing shadows of this distinctive winter ultra.