The Border Patrol Challenge is a winter trail race that takes place along the Rhode Island and Connecticut border. Participants must complete 15 trails between the first and last day of winter. The winner of the challenge is determined by their top scores, which are based on the difficulty and length of each trail. Competitors are allowed multiple attempts on each trail, with their best performance being used as their official score.
To track progress, participants receive GPX maps to upload to their GPS watches or can use Strava on their phones. Once satisfied with their performance, they upload their attempts to a website provided by the race director. Throughout the event, participants can monitor their standings compared to others using a shared Google Sheet, offering a transparent and competitive experience.
This event is ideal for both beginner and veteran trail runners or hikers. It provides a unique opportunity to explore some of the best trails in Rhode Island and Connecticut. Despite running in Rhode Island for about two years, I was amazed by the gnarly and challenging trails I discovered through this race. It’s also a great way to connect with the local trail running community. Often, participants meet up for group runs, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
The trails in the challenge range from 1.9 miles to 26.5 miles, offering a wide variety of difficulty and length. Personally, I found this experience invaluable for building endurance through the winter months, preparing me for spring, summer, and fall racing events. The challenge kept me in peak shape, and the winter conditions added an extra layer of treachery to some trails.
If you’re a trail enthusiast, I highly recommend signing up for the Border Patrol Challenge. Some of the trails are tough, but the winter conditions make it even more thrilling. Check out my videos below from my YouTube channel, Carefree Running, for a closer look at the race. Registration for the 2024-2025 season is almost open on RunReg, so don’t miss your chance. I’ll see you out there on the trails!