Moosehorn Ghost Run Half-Marathon and Relay

 

Event Description 

The beauty of Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge awaits! Run 13.1 miles solo or as relay with friends through the refuge access road system. Come out and explore your refuge! Wildlife is abundant. Have your camera ready! Deer, Moose, Bear, Grouse, and many bird species could certainly be spotted.  Moose and deer, oh MY!  The course will take place all within the Moosehorn service road system!  Car-free, dirt roads and possible wildlife encounters are features of this unique half-marathon.

Bold Coast Runners in partnership with Friends of Moosehorn are pleased to bring you the  Annual Moosehorn Ghost Run on Sunday October 25th, 2026. 

​Learn more about Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge here. 

Registration

• Registration opens at 7:00am 1st August 2026
• Capped at 100 runners across all events - so you are advised to sign up early.
• Half-marathon Entry is $35 - Early Bird entry $30 until September 1st
• Relay Entry is $26 per-person - Early Bird entry $20 until September 1st
• Late registration fees go into effect on October 10th at Midnight.
• Youth (17 and under) $15 across all events
• If you are not able to participate please let us know so we can fill your spot.
  
• Registration Closes 5:00pm Saturday October 24th - limited day of registration accepted on Sunday October 26th.

Washington County youth (17 and under) should contact Bold Coast Runners (boldcoastrunners@gmail.com) about their Young Runners Program for free entry. 

With your registration you'll receive ghost run swag, a well marked half-marathon and our traditional pot-luck food afterwards.
Awards at the discretion of the race director, will include Top 3 overall awards,  10 year age groups,  relay awards and Halloween Themed awards such as best costume, etc. 

Distances:

• Individual half-marathon - 13.1 miles
• Half-Marathon - Relay Teams of 2 or 3 people
  • Open and Youth(17 and under) Divisions

All race day activities take place outside at YCC building on Moosehorn Wildlife Refuge property. Use the following address for directions.
Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
103 Headquarters Road Baring, ME 04666

Race Day Timeline:

• 7am to 8:45am - Packet pickup only
• 8:00am - Early start for runners and relay
                    teams expecting to run 2:25:00 (11 min/mile) or longer.
• 9:00am - Race start for Individual and Team half-marathon
• 10:15am - First Finisher Approximately, post race potluck will start soon afterwards!
• 11:15 am - Awards Ceremony - approximate time.
• 11:30 am - Course Closes - Course Time limit: 3 hours and 30 minutes

Course Description:

Click here to view course map PDF

Click here to view on MapmyRun

Course Time limit: 3 hours and 30 minutes

The half-marathon course starts near the Refuge Headquarters building and meanders south through meadows and flowages. Keep your eyes open as you make your way, to the right is the 'Wilderness area', wildlife might be cheering you on! The first of two road crossings take place at 3.8 miles.  A left onto Charlotte Rd, then a quick right onto Snare Meadow Road.  The road crossing onto Snare Meadow Road (a grassy Refuge access road) will be staffed. Please stay on the left facing oncoming traffic until you cross at Snare Meadow - and remember to thank the volunteers!  The first self-serve aid station is on the right as you enter the trail / Snare Meadow Road.  This is also the first relay exchange point.

Rolling terrain awaits as you make a gradual climb to Snare Meadow itself. Eaton Heath at mile 7.5 could be a great chance to spot a Moose!  You next make a right onto Moosehorn Ridge Road (actually another grassy Refuge access road) - all turns will be well marked.  You will then descend past Howard Mill Flowage on the right and make a left onto the gravel Goodall Heath Road before in less than a mile crossing the paved Charlotte Road.  Take the next right to proceed towards the Finish - except you by-pass it to the left where the second self-service aid situation (water only) and second relay exchange point is situated.  Finally you have a quick 3 mile loop via Mile Bridge Road and Two Mile Meadow Road then back past the Refuge headquarters to the Finish Line.

Relay Description

Teams of 2 or 3 can complete the 13.1-mile course

Leg 1: 4 miles -  From start line to mile 4 just after Charlotte Road crossing onto Snare Meadow Road.  Use caution at road crossing!
Leg 2: 5.9 miles- From the Charlotte Rd and Snare Meadow Rd. intersection (approx 1.5 miles south of the Refuge entrance) to the self-serve aid station opposite the Finish Line.
Leg 3: 3.1 miles - From opposite the Finish Line a level 3 mile loop around Mile Bridge and Two Mile Meadow Roads and back past the Refuge Headquarters to the Finish!

Refer to course map for exchange points.  Runners are responsible for getting to the leg start location, which will be marked with a sign. All parked vehicles need to be fully off the road.

Race Reviews

Finds us on Race Raves!

Early Start:

Early start for runners and relay teams expecting to run 2:25:00  or longer. (11 min/mile) No one is required to take the early start. Participants who run faster than anticipated will not be disqualified but please use the honor system when registering. 

Course Time limit: 3 hours and 30 minutes (16 min/mile)

Covid-19:

We will be complying with all guidance regarding COVID-19 as issued by the Federal and State governments, the RRCA, ATRA, and ACORD, at the time of the event. In case of change in the official COVID-19 guidance we may make adjustments at short notice but these will be communicated to you in advance.

Numbers are capped (we recommend you sign-up as soon as possible) and runners must agree to not show-up on the day if they think they might be sick or are self-isolating