Just Around the Bend, the Wissahickon Trail Classic
The Wissahickon Trail Classic, a 10 K Trail Race through Philadelphia’s urban forest, is BACK for its 17th season. Will you run to conserve Wissahickon Valley Park?
When you register for the Trail Classic, you’re not only signing up to experience a race unlike any other in Philadelphia, you’re also contributing to the continued care of one of the city’s most treasured parks.
Don’t miss out on the race of a lifetime and the many beautiful scenes along its course. Get it our on early-bird registration; the price will increase after April 20, and we expect the race to sell out. Register here today!
Meet us at W Northwestern Ave and Forbidden Drive, right by Cedars House. The race kicks off bright and early at 8:30 AM, but stop by early for check-in, to get those pre-race stretches in, and pump yourself up for the big race! To view the course map, click here.
Ready… set… go… take off along Forbidden Drive, the main artery of the park. Did you know the trail was originally established as a commercial road so the local mills could easily transport materials along the Creek? Now long allocated for pedestrian use, this is one of the few gravel trails in Wissahickon Valley Park, making it the perfect running surface! Don’t get too comfortable, though; the intensity of the race will pick up shortly as you’ll head up Monster Trail, half a mile down the Drive.
Once you’ve conquered this steep Yellow Trail ascent, it’s smooth sailing. Take in the beauty of Houston Meadow. Support from members and friends like you, who contribute to the Trail Classic, enables our restoration work in this area of the park. Each year, FOW and volunteers install native plantings and care for the meadow’s trails so you can enjoy them on an afternoon walk or on the region’s premier trail race.
On the descent, back onto Forbidden Drive we’ll cross over Rex Avenue Bridge, one of the park’s 14 bridges that cross the Wissahickon Creek, built in 1882 from glimmering Wissahickon schist. From here, you’ll pass the Orange Trail entrance, and onto the White Trail. Time to push again on this uphill climb towards the iconic Looking West Statue. Don’t get too attached. We’re hopping off onto Lavender Trail for a whimsical detour by cascading streams and forested hillsides.
Back over the Creek on a bridge that needs no introduction- the big red one- the Thomas Mill Covered Bridge! Did you know this Wissahickon staple is the last remaining covered bridge in a U.S. city? With special attention from the Works in Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938, this bridge was restored and again in 1999 with funds from the Fairmount Park Commission (now Philadelphia Parks & Recreation).
You’re almost there! Just past the surrounding Andorra Natural Area and it’s lush meadow is the finish line. Following the sound of cheering fans…
FOW hopes you’ll join us for our fourth season at the helm of this treasured trail race. It’s surely an experience you won’t want to miss. Sign up today!