2026 Stub Stewart Trail Challenge
The 2026 Stub Stewart Trail Challenge will take place on April 5th, 2026, in Buxton, United States, near Banks/Vernonia, Oregon, at L.L. Stub Stewart State Park. The event is set to begin at 9:00 AM at the Hilltop Day-Use Area. The course is a challenging yet enjoyable 6.5-mile loop that runs clockwise, featuring diverse terrain ranging from pavement along the Banks-Vernonia State Trail to unimproved roads and a mix of gentle hills and steep climbs. Weather conditions in Buxton during early April typically include a chance of rain, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 60°F. Participants should expect muddy conditions typical of Pacific Northwest spring trails, making the course both a test of endurance and a unique experience. The event offers a variety of distances, from a 1/4 Marathon to a Full Marathon, with a unique flexible distance option allowing runners to decide their race length on the day of the event.
What distances are available for this event?
- →1/4 Marathon (1 loop)
- →1/2 Marathon (2 loops)
- →3/4 Marathon (3 loops)
- →Full Marathon (4 loops)
How much does registration cost?
- →$69 before February 1st
- →$89 after February 1st
- →$100 on race day
What is the unique feature of this event?
- →Participants can register for any distance but decide on race day how far they want to go. Their official result reflects where they choose to finish—no penalty for dropping down or bonus for going longer.
What is included in the registration?
- →Access to the trail course
- →Aid stations along the route
- →Trail markings at potentially confusing intersections
- →A cupless event: participants are encouraged to bring their own drinking vessel (B.Y.O.D.V.)
What are the course details for the 1/4 Marathon loop?
- →Start at Hilltop Day-Use Area
- →Head toward Clayhill Horse Staging Area, passing Mountain Dale Cabin Village
- →Through Clayhill Horse Area to Hares Canyon Trail
- →Split onto Unfit Settlement View Trail, then rejoin Hares Canyon Trail
- →Connect to Banks-Vernonia Trail, then Boomscooter Trail
- →Loop around Boomscooter Pond
- →Return via starting trail, past Mountain Dale Cabin Village
- →Finish at Hilltop Day-Use Area
What awards are given out?
- →"Golden Truckers" are awarded to the top male and female finishers in each of the four distances, totaling eight awards.
What is the event schedule?
- →The event starts at 9:00 AM at the Hilltop Day-Use Area.
What are the aid stations like?
- →There are 2 aid stations on the course. The event is cupless, so participants are encouraged to bring their own drinking vessel (B.Y.O.D.V.).