Lost Brook Trail Run
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Sunday, April 6th (rain date)
Shake off winter and embrace the season with the Lost Brook Trail Run at Tenafly Nature Center! This reimagined 5K/10K course winds through the woodlands and wetlands of the Lost Brook Preserve, welcoming beginning to seasoned trail runners, hikers and walkers.
Hit the trails, soak in nature’s renewal, and support TNC’s mission to inspire, educate, and connect our community with the great outdoors!
For group/team registration discounts, please contact development@tenaflync.org.
**TO HELP PREPARE FOR THIS YEAR’S RUN**
Training Run
Sunday, March 9
9:30-10:30 am
Join Race Director and running coach Phil Germakian for a trail-running workshop designed to prep you for TNC’s Lost Brook Trail Run. He’ll cover trail-running basics and lead a guided run on the Lost Brook Trail Run course.
What you’ll learn:
✅ Uphill & downhill running techniques
✅ Navigating technical terrain
✅ Essential gear for trail running
✅ Staying safe on the trails
Open to all trail users—perfect for runners gearing up for the Lost Brook Trail Race!
Date:
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Run Distances:
5K (3 mile) and 10K (6 mile)
Location:
313 Hudson Avenue, Tenafly, NJ 07670
Pre-Registration Entry Fee (Available until the day of run):
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$30 for 5K
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$35 for 10K
No Refunds
As a nonprofit organization, we rely on support from members, individual donors, corporate sponsors, grants, the Borough of Tenafly and fundraising events to manage a very lean budget. The Lost Brook Trail Run is considered a public program and the registration fees are meant to cover the cost of the event, with any minimal surplus applied to support TNC’s mission and operating costs. If you are unable to attend, TNC will consider your registration fee as a donation in support of its mission of conservation, education, recreation and community.
Day of Entry Fee (Available on the day of the run):
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$40 for 5K
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$45 for 10K
Runner Check-In and Walk-up Registration:
7:45 am – 8:45 am
Run Start Time:
9:00 am
Division Options:
All Ages Welcome.
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Men
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Women
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Non-binary
Driving Directions: Click here
Parking:
TNC’s parking lot is small and fills quickly. Volunteers, participants and their cheerleaders are encouraged to park on Stanton Road, which is the nearest side street to the main TNC entrance. Parking is NOT permitted in the cul-de-sac at the TNC entrance. Please plan to have enough time to park and check in by 8:45 am.
Aid Stations:
An aid station will be available at the start and finish of the course.
Bathrooms:
A compost bathroom is located at the far end of our parking lot. Please make use of these facilities and DO NOT use the woods.
Results:
Full results will be posted on the race website within two days. Please do not ask our volunteers at the timing table for individual times on race day.
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2025 5K Results (COMING SOON)2025 5K Results (COMING SOON)
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2025 10K Results (COMING SOON)2025 10K Results (COMING SOON)
Course Records:
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5-Mile:
Jaden Uram, 33:02
Christina Allen, 37:07 -
10-Mile:
Michael Fonder, 1:00:27
Lexi Abel, 1:14:51
Become an Event Sponsor
TNC depends on sponsors to build a community that values nature and works with us to protect biodiversity. With your support, TNC can continue offering engaging, affordable programs and events that connect people to the outdoors and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
To learn more about sponsorship/in-kind donation opportunities Email Helene Bon
The Lost Brook Preserve is a hidden gem of lush hardwood forest, carefully protected and maintained by the Tenafly Nature Center. Here, you’ll experience the landscape just as nature intended—authentic, rugged, and breathtakingly beautiful.
Instead of wide, manicured trails, you’ll traverse winding paths that showcase the area’s natural terrain. Expect scenic footbridges over sparkling streams, ancient boulders shaped by glaciers, and trails lined with roots and rocks that add to the adventure.
But don’t be fooled—this course is still fast and runnable! Whether you’re taking on the 5K or 10K, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to push your pace and embrace the thrill of the trail.
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The race starts and finishes to the left of the parking lot on the Main Trail. This will be the widest section of the course, and one of the few opportunities to pass another runner safely.
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Go STRAIGHT down the Main Trail continuing past the pond and up a short incline.
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TURN LEFT onto the White Trail (White Triangle Blazes).
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Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD onto the Bischoff Trail (Red & White Blazes).
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You will make a quick RIGHT TURN, which takes you over an old rock wall and then continue on the Bischoff Trail.
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Follow the Bischoff Trail to its end at the Main Trail.
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Make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Main Trail to the turn-around just ahead.
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After the turn-around head back up the Main Trail and make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Little Chism Trail (Red Blazes).
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Stay to the RIGHT at the first fork. TURN LEFT at the next intersection to continue on the Little Chism Trail (you will now see both Red & Yellow Blazes).
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TURN LEFT again at the next intersection to continue on the Little Chism Trail.
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Make a sharp LEFT TURN at the next intersection to bypass a large fallen tree.
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TURN LEFT at the next intersection towards the road (Rt. 9W).
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TURN RIGHT while exiting the forest and continue on the grass along the forest edge.
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Soon you will reach the Aid Station (~2.7 miles). To bypass the Aid Station, TURN RIGHT when you reach it to continue on the Little Chism Trail.
OUTBOUND (miles 0 – 1.6 miles):
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The race starts and finishes to the left of the parking lot on the Main Trail. This will be the widest section of the course, and one of the few opportunities to pass another runner safely.
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Go STRAIGHT down the Main Trail continuing past the pond and up a short incline.
-
TURN LEFT onto the White Trail (White Triangle Blazes).
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Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD onto the Bischoff Trail (Red & White Blazes).
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You will make a quick RIGHT TURN, which takes you over an old rock wall and then continue on the Bischoff Trail.
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Follow the Bischoff Trail to its end at the Main Trail.
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Continue straight across the dirt driveway onto the Little Chism Trail (Red Blazes).
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Stay to the RIGHT at the first fork to continue on the Little Chism Trail (Turning left will take you out to 9W).
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TURN Right at the next intersection onto the Allison Trail (Yellow Blazes).
INBOUND (miles 1.6 – 3.1):
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Continue on the Allison Trail (Yellow Blazes) to the Purple Trail.
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TURN LEFT at the next intersection onto the Purple Trail (Purple Blazes).
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TURN RIGHT at the next intersection to continue on the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail curves to the left at a boulder field.
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Make a sharp RIGHT TURN after the boulders to continue on the Purple Trail to its end. When it ends, make a sharp RIGHT TURN after crossing a foot-bridge onto the Red Trail (Red Triangle Blazes), which quickly comes to an end at the Main Trail.
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When it ends, make a sharp LEFT TURN onto the Main Trail.
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Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD past the pond and up a short incline (this area of the Main Trail will have runner-traffic going both ways, so please follow the course markings to avoid congestion).
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If you are in the 5K, Continue STRAIGHT ahead to the finish line at the end of the Main Trail.
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If you are in the 10K, make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Yellow Trail (Yellow Triangle Blazes) at the crest of the hill.
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Follow the Yellow Trail along the pond and make a sharp LEFT TURN at the floating dock.
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The Yellow Trail will curve to the LEFT at a clearing.
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Stay LEFT at the next intersection to continue on the Yellow Trail to its end. There will be an aid station set-up here at the picnic tables with water and sports drink only if needed.
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When the Yellow Trail ends, make a sharp LEFT TURN back onto the Main Trail to head back out to repeat the 5K loop.
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SKIP the Yellow Trail when you return on your second loop, and CONTINUE STRAIGHT ahead to the finish line at the end of the Main Trail. Thank you!
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Leaving the Aid Station, you will be turning LEFT onto the Little Chism Trail.
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Make a sharp RIGHT TURN right before reaching the road (E. Clinton Ave.) to travel over a foot-bridge and continue on the Little Chism Trail.
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Go LEFT at the fork to continue on the Little Chism Trail.
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TURN RIGHT when it ends and quickly make a sharp LEFT TURN onto the Seely Trail (Yellow & Orange Blazes).
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Follow the Seely Trail to its end (there will be a large 8ft tall boulder to your right).
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Make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Haring Rock Trail (Orange Blazes).
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Stay LEFT at the fork and LEFT again at the next intersection to continue on the Haring Rock Trail to its end.
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When it ends, make a sharp LEFT TURN onto the Allison Trail (Yellow Blazes).
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TURN LEFT at the next intersection onto the Purple Trail (Purple Blazes).
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TURN RIGHT at the next intersection to continue on the Purple Trail. The Purple Trail curves to the left at a boulder field.
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Make a sharp RIGHT TURN after the boulders to continue on the Purple Trail to its end. When it ends, make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Red Trail (Red Triangle Blazes), which quickly comes to an end at the Main Trail.
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When it ends, make a sharp LEFT TURN onto the Main Trail.
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Continue STRAIGHT AHEAD past the pond and up a short incline (this area of the Main Trail will have runner-traffic going both ways, so please follow the course markings to avoid congestion).
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Stay to the RIGHT as you run the incline.
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At the crest, make a sharp RIGHT TURN onto the Yellow Trail (Yellow Triangle Blazes).
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Follow the Yellow Trail along the pond and make a sharp LEFT TURN at the floating dock.
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The Yellow Trail will curve to the LEFT at a clearing.
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Stay LEFT at the next intersection to continue on the Yellow Trail to its end.
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When it ends, make a sharp RIGHT TURN back onto the Main Trail to head in to the finish.
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If you are in the 10 mile race, you will make a sharp LEFT TURN at this same intersection back onto the Main Trail and
repeat the loop.
In 1983, the Tenafly Nature Center with the help of the Township of Tenafly, organized a fundraiser in the form of a running race. For four consecutive years, the Raccoon Run was held on
Father’s Day and consisted of both a 5k and 10k road race. This event was an important fundraiser for the nature center that attracted hundreds of runners.
In 1986 (the last year this run was held on behalf of the nature center), over 200 runners participated. In the 10k, Jeff Van Horn won the men’s run with a time of 34:44 and Barbara Reinderes captured the women’s title with a time of 42:02. In the 5k event, placing first for the men with a respectable time of 16:31 was Dominick Tabbachino, and for the women, Jennifer Van Horn was victorious with a time of 18:50.
Interestingly enough, this race still exists today. Now called the Tenafly 5k and Dog Walk, this event has become a fundraiser for the Tenafly Educational Foundation.
The Lost Brook Trail Race started in 2010 and was a resurrection of the once great Raccoon Run and the first organized trail-running event in this nature preserve.
In 2025 the Lost Brook Trail Race was renamed the Lost Brook Trail Run and the length of the run was shortened to a 5K and 10K. This event is on a mission to continue the fund-raising tradition that began 42 years ago. All proceeds from this event will be donated to the Tenafly Nature Center in support of their mission.