
BULL DAM TRAIL RUN
Bull Dam Trail Run offers a unique local trail experience with mixed terrain for all skill levels.
Race Date
Sep 6, 2026
Location
North East, PA
Quick facts
- Date
- Sunday, September 6, 2026
- Location
- North East, Pennsylvania
- Distance
- Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 10K, 5K
- Course
- Loop Course
- Terrain
- Mixed
- USATF certified
- Not listed
- Finishers on record
- 390
Highlights
Good For
Atmosphere
Course
The Experience
The Bull Dam Trail Run in North East, PA, presents a refreshing local trail running experience across a blend of wide paths and intimate single-track sections. This event, now in its ninth year, typically sees around 52 finishers, with about 27% returning year after year, highlighting its local appeal. Runners can expect a course that navigates wide grass and gravel trails interspersed with dirt single-track, with no major water crossings to navigate.
This race series is dedicated to supporting local youth and Boy Scout development activities, adding a charitable dimension to the competition. While the half marathon is a 2-lap course, other distances like the 10K and 5K are single-lap affairs. The event aims to provide a community-focused atmosphere, with post-race refreshments often including waffles, sausage, and local fruits, weather and health guidelines permitting.
Race-provided description
This is a fun and unique local trail running event with combined wide trails and single-track trails for all skill levels. Your choice of three trail events. 1.) 5k trail walk/ run (1 lap) wide gravel and grass trails 2.) 10k trail run (1 lap) wide grass gravel along with dirt single track no major water crossings. 3.) Half Marathon trail run (2 laps 10k+ course) same as the 10k course no major water crossings. All monies raised will go to support local youth/ Boy Scout development activities. Only the 5K walk run permits dogs and strollers. First and foremost, we have every intention of hosting the Bull Dam Trail Run, scheduled onsite. That said, there are two reasons it could be canceled, changed significantly, or postponed that are out of our control: 1.) Cancellations by a government agency (think Covid restrictions) 2.) If there is extreme, inclement weather. (Lightning, high winds, hail) Note that we are subject to all restrictions put in place by the Pennsylvania State Government, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the North East Area Emergency Management Agency. We will follow their guidelines. Also, note that we will try to have the post-race breakfast of waffles and sausage and maybe bacon. We are required to have a health department permit to serve food. We will have some sort of post-race refreshments that will meet safety guidelines – perhaps local fruits and prepackaged snacks. (We will have breakfast again this year) Here are some specific details on the Bull Dam Trail Run, which is made up of three events: 1.) A 5K Trail Run/Walk 2.) A 10 Trail Run 3.) A 13.1 Mile Trail Run (two loops plus a little of the 10k course plus a little more.) Timing the events: We will have a timer on site. The results go up online within minutes. The start: 1. ) All events will start at the same time. 7:30 AM. 2. ) The start of all events will be a “Soft Start or Rolling Start”. 3. ) All events will start in the same start window. (See starting note below) 4. ) The bibs are Radio Frequency chipped and read at the start. The Finish: 1. ) The finish will be video recorded. 2. ) The Bibs will read the RF chips at the finish and are yours to keep. 3. ) Results will be calculated based on your start time and your finish time. The recorded chip times differential is the official time that the race will be scored on. The video is simply for backup if the chip result does not record. Start Note: We will start all events at 7:30-7:35 AM. You will not be able to change your event on the day of the race. 1. ) The event start window will be 5 minutes. 2. ) Once you cross the start line, your event starts for you. Use of water stations and porta potties. The “Soft Start” is intended to spread out crowding at the water stations, the trails, and porta potties. This should enable you as a participant to socially distance yourself from other runners. The water stations will be manned for refill work only. The water station will be self-serve only. (there may be folks to help) The folks at the water stations are to restock supplies, do minor clean-up, and let the race officials know if there is a runner in need of assistance. There will be an official start line with RF sensors. There will be an official finish line with RF sensors. The 5K Run/ Walk Course: The 5k course is around the reservoir and will be unflagged for most of the course. It is one lap of the reservoir. Always keep the water to the same side it is on when you start. If the water is behind, you or on the opposite side you are probably going the wrong way. The 10k & 13.1-mile Course: The 10k & Half Marathon is in the woods and will be fully flagged with flags about 30-50 feet apart. There will be caution tape up to guide participants in confusing areas. Course tear-down will start at 11:30 AM as we are required by the North East Borough to have flags and caution tape removed within 48 hours. This takes a lot of manpower and time as we have approximately 6,000 flags on the course as well as caution tape. Onsite registration: 1.) Registration/ Payments must be done online via Runsign-up either on your smartphone or online. 2.) There will be some bibs on-site for same-day registration. Cash Only unless you register on-site via your phone. By signing up for the race you understand that we will do whatever we must to have this race, onsite. If the race is canceled by things beyond our control, there will be no refunds.
Logistics
Race Day
Sunday, September 6, 2026
Start Time
7:30 AM
Giveaway
Performance T-Shirt
Start Location
9762 Black Road North East, PA 16428 Howard Eaton Reservoir (Locally known as Bulls Dam), North East, PA, 16428
Course Info
Course Type
Loop Course
Terrain
mixed
Scenery
Park
Surface
Dirt Trail, Paved
Difficulty
Ultra-Flat
Net Drop/km
0 m (Flat)
Separation
0.0%
Also Offers
Quality Score
Solid Pick589 years running
~48 finishers a year
small race — neutral
27% returning runners
3 timing sources
runners from 5 states
winner 1:49:19
typical high 72°F
Race Day Weather
5-year historical avgStart (Low)
61°
Afternoon (High)
72°
Warm — hydration strategy is key, start conservatively
0.2"
Precipitation
13 mph
Wind
78%
Humidity
Historical Finish Times
How 390 finishers actually crossed the line across 9 years.
Most recent
2025
Total finishers
390
Median time
2:48:04
Latest turnout
51
States
7
Turnout by year
2018–2025
Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.
Race Photos
Frequently asked
When is the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN?
The BULL DAM TRAIL RUN is held on Sunday, September 6, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM.
Where does the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN take place?
It takes place in North East, Pennsylvania.
What distances does the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN offer?
The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 10K, 5K.
Is the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN course flat and good for a PR?
The BULL DAM TRAIL RUN is a ultra-flat, loop course course.
How many people run the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN?
HalfRuns has finish records for 390 runners who have completed the BULL DAM TRAIL RUN.
HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.
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