The Goodwin Trail Challenge

The Goodwin Trail is a unique, ~13.5 mile linear trail that winds its way through preserved lands owned by local land trusts, municipalities, the Yale School of Forestry, and Nehantic State Park.  We will park our cars at Darrow Pond Park, in East Lyme, and then take a provided bus to the trailhead in East Haddam or Gungy Road, Lyme. Participants will then run or hike back to their cars. You might consider bringing a headlamp or flashlight if you expect to be returning to your car at dusk.

For 2024, hikers will choose between a ~13.5 mile or ~9 mile hike. The bus will first drop off ~9 milers on Gungy Road and then the ~13.5 mile hikers and trail racers at Route 82 - at the Chapal Farm Preserve parking lot, in East Haddam.

Also, for 2024, the runners will have the option to opt into a hand-timed race with modest prizes. We will inform runners of their times. The divisions:

Top 3 Overall Male, Female and Non-Binary (total possible prizes = 9)Male age group - 12-19, and 10-year age groups from 20-80+ (prize for the winner of each division)Female age group - 12-19, and 10-year age groups from 20-80+ (prize for the winner of each division)

Runners and hikers will board the bus by 9am at Darrow Pond.  The bus ride from Darrow Pond to the trailhead in East Haddam is about ~25 minutes. Please arrive to Darrow Pond sometime between 8 - 8:45am.

This will be a challenging event for many of us. Please give careful consideration before registering. We will host rest/refreshment stops at Gungy (~4.5 miles in) and Grassy Hill (~9 miles in) Roads where snacks and water will be available. However, please carry you own water, snacks, and other needed accessories as well. 

Cell service is very inconsistent on the trail. We strongly recommend participating with a buddy or two. We will provide a sweeper who could provide hands-off assistance. Please note that it could take skilled medical staff up to two hours to reach you. 

We will host the event in light rain. We will cancel if there are strong storms. Please check the EHLT website and Facebook pages for last minute updates.

Your registration donation will earn you a 1-year membership in EHLT and will help East Haddam Land Trust preserve land in perpetuity for all of us. We are grateful for your help. Your membership entitles you to advanced notice to our hikes, paddles, and other fun events as well as allowing you to participate in members-only experiences.

Please note that if this event is cancelled for any reason, we will continue to accept your donation to EHLT and not issue refunds. Thank you for understanding this.

Please learn about the Eightmile River Watershed, which hosts most of the Goodwin Trail, and find trail maps here:

https://www.eightmileriver.org/outdoor-recreation/