The 2nd annual Lake Mohegan Trail Race, a women's only trail race event in Fairfield, CT is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 2024.  Steep Endurance is trying to bring more awareness to the availability of trail running for women.  Typically 30-40% of participants in trail races are women.  In 2023, we had 110+ runners!  Lake Mohegan, with its very runnable/variety of trails, make for an ideal backdrop for this type of event and gives NEW women trail runners a great introduction to trail running, but also provides a great course for those more experienced participants.  The race will also be open to non-binary runners as well.

Three different events will be offered:  5K, 10K, and a 4 hour option for participants to run/walk as many miles in the allotted time on the 5K loop.
5K
$30 early registration through Feb. 29
$35 March 1-April 14 
$40 April 15-Race Day
10K
$35 early registration through Feb. 29
$40 March 1-April 14 
$45 April 15-Race Day
4 Hour
$50 early registration through Feb. 29
$60 March 1-April 14 
$70 April 15-Race Day
Refund Policy: There will be no refunds and/or no transfers of your registration or bib to any other person. Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting well in advance of the race date--including course preparation, race supplies, permits, and administration.
Without volunteers, we couldn't pull off events like this.  If you are interested in helping runners achieve their goals and have some fun in the process, click on the link above.  We would love for most of the volunteers to be men in this race as this day is for the women.  Volunteers receive swag from our sponsors plus other goodies too!

Swag/Awards

  • Specially designed finisher medal from Ragged Cuts​​
  • Awesome swag from our sponsors
  • ​​Additional awards for Top 3 podium in each event​

Location/Directions

Lake Mohegan Recreation Area is located at 960 Morehouse Hwy., Fairfield, CT.  There is plenty of parking onsite.  Race headquarters will be located just to the east in the field above the parking lot.

Course Description

Being this is the first trail race ever at Lake Mohegan, we've tried to showcase some of the prettier areas, but use a variety of trails in the park.  The course is very runnable with the footing generally good throughout, but there are a few short steep hill sections, but nothing of great length.  Both the first time trail runner and the experienced trail runner will certainly enjoy the loop.  The loop is 5K in distance with the 10K runners doing the loop twice and the 4 Hour runners as many completed loops as they can before Noon.

Course Maps

Race Day Schedule

Saturday, April 27, 2024
  • 7:00 a.m.  Packet Pickup/Race Day Registration begins
  • 8:00 a.m. 4 Hour Race Start
  • 8:30 a.m. 5K/10K Race Start
  • 12:00 p.m. Cutoff for 4 Hour Runners 

Aid Stations

Will we have water and/or electrolyte drink at the start/finish aid station for the 4 Hour runners and 10K runners before their second loop.  There will be no aid station "on course" for the 5K runners.  Keep in mind that Steep Endurance events are "cupless" races. This policy is put into effect in an effort to reduce the amount of waste and adopt a sustainable “green” practice for the race and the sport of trail running.

Runner Rules

These rules are meant to make your experience during any Steep Endurance event a positive one. Most of these are common sense type policies that you will see at any road race.
  • Be aware of general hazards on the course (roots, rocks, potholes, cars, etc.)
  • Staying on Course: Following the marked course is MANDATORY.  The course will be well marked with flags and signage.
  • Dropping from the Race:  If runners intend to drop out of the race, they must do so (unless in case of emergency) by notifying one of the course marshals at various locations on the course.  Failure to do so means for all intensive purposes that the runner is lost, activating search and rescue. Time that is spent searching for a runner will be billed to such runner.
  • Runners will be advised that the Race Director or course marshals may pull any runner from the race at any time for gross negligence of the above rules.
  • Absolutely No Littering! The race is entirely on Town of Fairfield property.  Please respect that we are using it for the race.  Failure to do so could jeopardize future events.
  • Race entries/bib numbers are not transferable--hence NO unofficial runners
  • The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged at this race. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, Steep Endurance encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the Lake Mohegan Trail Race.  We believe your race experience and those around you will be greatly enhanced by leaving the headphones at home or in the car. Running headphone-free allows opportunities to develop camaraderie with your fellow runners and to enjoy everything the race has to offer. Plus, volunteers and spectators will be on course cheering you on and providing directions to help get you to the finish line. Runner safety is a a top priority for our events.
  • SMILE and enjoy the race!

Post Race Celebration

You’ve just finished an amazing course!  Enjoy your accomplishment, sit back, relax, and don’t forget to cheer on all the runners coming in behind you! We will have the usual spread including bagels, fruit, muffins, pre-packaged snacks, and plenty of beverage options.

Lodging/Things to Do

Fairfield is a very idllyic place to visit in southern Fairfield County.  It has a small town feel with plenty of activities including beaches, shopping, and fine dining options.  Click on this link for more information.  

Weather

Late April is a beautiful time of year in this part of CT with cool mornings.  Average high temperatures are usually close to 60 with low temperatures in the 40's.  

History of Lake Mohegan

When Fairfield was settled in the 1600’s, the area now comprising the open space area was covered with a forest of hemlock and northern hardwoods. Then, as the Town developed and until the early 1900’s, the forest was cleared and farming was the principal land-use in this part of Town. Open fields covered the area where Lake Mohegan would later be created. In addition, during the 1800’s this area near the Mill River was famous for producing spring water bottled by the Mohican Spring Bottling Company and sold as “the most delightful of all table waters” throughout the country. There were guest houses and hotels in the vicinity of the present-day open space area for visitors seeking the health effects of the spring water. 
During the early and mid-1900’s, gravel was excavated from the area immediately east of the Mill River and much of it was used in the construction of the Merritt Parkway. This excavation is responsible for creating the 17-acre Lake Mohegan and the smaller North Pond that are now within the open space area.
The open space area was established by the Town through acquisition of five separate parcels of land from 1967 through 1985, using a combination of Town funds, state grants, and donations from the General Electric Company. Natural features damaged by the previous gravel mining operations have been gradually restored by the Town since that time. 
Due to its location, size, and natural diversity, the open space area today provides a variety of recreational opportunities that include walking and hiking, picnicking, fishing, and nature observation. Fishing is only permitted from the shoreline but is a major activity as the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection annually stocks Lake Mohegan and the Mill River with trout.
In addition, the beach and swimming area is the only supervised freshwater swimming area in the Town and is heavily used during the summer. The beach and swimming area is managed by the Parks and Recreation Commission. The rest of the open space area is the responsibility of the Conservation Commission.
Although the greatest amount of activity in the open space area occurs during the summer months, the area is actively used year-around and is one of the most popular of the Town’s open space properties.
In 1990, the Conservation Commission adopted its Lake Mohegan Open Space Area Multiple Use Management Plan which guides the beneficial use and conservation of the area.

PARTNERS

If you are interested in partnership opportunities, please contact Brian Vanderheiden, Race Director:  [email protected]