2026 Manatee Springs State Park Trail Run

This event, the 2026 Manatee Springs State Park Trail Run, will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Manatee Springs State Park in Chiefland, Florida. The park, located six miles west of downtown Chiefland off State Road 320, offers a scenic setting with shaded trails and open areas featuring Central Florida’s subtropical vegetation. The event is scheduled for a day when temperatures in Chiefland are expected to range between 45°F and 60°F, with partly cloudy skies and light winds. Participants will run on natural park trails with gentle, loamy terrain and broad paths, suitable for all ability levels. The course includes a route along the park’s crystal-clear first-magnitude spring and offers the chance to observe Florida manatees during the winter months.

What distances are available for this event?

• →5K – 3.23 miles with minimal 7 feet of elevation gain
• →10K – 6.20 miles with 14 feet of elevation gain
• →Half-Marathon – 13.08 miles on a two-loop course with 246 feet of total elevation gain (second loop cut-off at mile 6.5 by 9:40 AM)

What is the race day schedule?

• →Packet pickup: Friday 2:00–6:00 PM or Saturday 6:15–7:30 AM at the park
• →Race starts: Half-Marathon 7:30 AM, 10K 7:45 AM, 5K 8:00 AM

What facilities and aid are available during the event?

• →Aid stations approximately every 2 miles (self-serve and staffed options)
• →On-course restrooms available at mile 0.5 for all distances; additional facilities at mile 6.5 (half-marathon) and mile 5.75 (10K)
• →Nutrition support (gels/chews) provided at miles 8, 10, and 12 of the half-marathon
• →Chip-timed racing with finisher medals for all participants
• →Post-race refreshments and family-friendly atmosphere

What is included in the registration?

• →Chip-timed racing
• →Finisher medals for all participants
• →Access to aid stations, restrooms, and nutrition support
• →Post-race refreshments

What is the course like?

• →Runners traverse shaded trails beneath towering cypress trees and open areas showcasing Central Florida's subtropical vegetation
• →The course winds alongside the park's crystal-clear first-magnitude spring that flows directly into the Suwannee River
• →Terrain features gentle, runnable paths with minimal elevation changes—characteristic of Florida's flat landscape—but enriched by natural surroundings including lush hammocks and riverfront sections

What are the weather considerations for the event?

• →The event is scheduled for February 21, 2026, when temperatures in Chiefland are expected to range between 45°F and 60°F
• →February offers excellent conditions for potential manatee sightings in the spring run, especially during cooler morning hours

What are the special features of the event?

• →This intimate trail race emphasizes environmental stewardship within a protected state park setting
• →Participants experience the tranquility of old-growth cypress forests and the unique opportunity to observe Florida manatees in their natural winter habitat while running alongside one of the state's most pristine springs

What is required for entry?

• →Florida State Park parking pass required (purchased separately on race morning; fees support park maintenance)