Troll Trot 5K
Saturday, July 4, 2026
8 am registration
9 am start time
Start your morning on the right foot by joining our Troll Trot 5K! Trot along Wild Center trails as you pass by six giant wooden trolls, a part of Thomas Dambo’s travelling exhibit TROLLS: Save the Humans. The race starts promptly at 9 am with registration beginning under our patio tent at 8 am. Wild Center admission is included in the cost of the race. Ollie the Otter will be at the finish line to hand out one-of-a-kind finisher medals to all participants. The first, second, and third place finishers in both the adult (18+) and youth (5-17) categories will receive a prize. Awards will be handed out at 10 am. Water and sports drinks will be available at the start/finish area and mid-way through the race. Celebrate with popcorn after the race.
Cost: (includes Wild Center admission)
Adult - $50
Youth - $25
Member Adult - $20
Member Youth - $10
Registration link to come
The Course:
The course traverses all of The Wild Center’s trails, with ab0ut 85% on gravel trail, about 10% on paved trail, and about 5% on wooden decking. Starting at the tent, the race begins by taking trotters past our main entrance (featuring Ronja Redeye) and circling around Green Leaf Pond, looping through Forest Music (featuring Ibbi Pip) and then heading to the Fen Trail. The course follows the entire Fen Trail loop including an out and back to the river landing (featuring Kamma Can) and an out and back to our canoe launch on the Raquette River, where you’ll encounter our aid station, at about 1.5 miles (water & sports drinks will be available). After the Fen Trail, you’ll turn right to pass the Pines Play Area (featuring Basse Buller) and soon see Wild Walk to your left as you head towards the Oxbow Overlook trail. You’ll go down towards the river and loop around the left boardwalk before heading back up the hill. At the top of the hill, go straight past the entrance to Wild Walk and take a sharp left to do an out and back loop at the Stickwork sculpture (featuring Sofus Lotus) then proceed across the parking lot boardwalk (featuring Rosa Sunfinger). The race will conclude by looping around Greenleaf Pond one more time, this time skipping Forest Music, and heading across Rainbow Bridge to finish at the tent. There is about 280 feet of elevation gain throughout the 3.1 mile course.