NORTHFIELD — With permit approval from the Selectboard, bicyclists and runners are set to return to the Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center for two annual races this month and next.
On Saturday, Aug. 29, the center at 99 Millers Falls Road will host the Venture Out Project and Beast Coast Trail Running for their annual All of the Above Trail Fest. Then next month, on Saturday, Sept. 26, cyclists will get their chance to race around Northfield Mountain during B2C2’s fourth annual Kilowatt Cross race.
All of the Above Trail Fest
Jacob Sheppard-Saidel, administrative manager with the Venture Out Project, described the All of the Above Trail Fest as a fundraising running festival featuring a 20K as well as a shorter 5K fun run/hike. The event is organized in collaboration with the Beast Coast Trail Running Club to support the Venture Out Project.
The Venture Out Project is a nonprofit dedicated to making outdoor activities more accessible and welcoming for the LGBTQ community. It organizes backpacking trips, day hikes, biking excursions and other outdoor adventures across the country.
Sheppard-Saidel said that this year will mark the second year the event has been held at Northfield Mountain. In previous years, the hosting venue was Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont.
“It was a great site,” Sheppard-Saidel said of the Northfield property. “There was a bunch of folks that came out and I think it was a really perfect site for it.”
While reviewing the event permit for the race, Selectboard Chair Barbara “Bee” Jacque said the application was reviewed by various department heads, including fire and police, and the town had no concerns with the race. The board approved the permit.
According to the Beast Coast Trail Running website, the All of the Above Trail Fest is about celebrating all runners and encouraging everyone to get outside.
“At this festival, we’re making space for our identities — as trail runners, as outdoorsy folk, as people — which need more breathing room than the traditional ‘male’ or ‘female’ check boxes during race registration allow for,” the website reads. “Here, we’re claiming All of the Above, and running with it.”
Races will kick off at 9 a.m. with “prediction run” 20K races, with options to run solo or as relay pairs. Prizes will be awarded to those who finish closest to their predicted time.
There will also be a 5K fun run/hike that kicks off at 10 a.m., and a shorter children’s race starting at 10:15 a.m. Prizes in categories such as “who had the most fun” or “most pride spirit” will be awarded.
Registration costs are $65 for the prediction run (solo), $100 for the prediction run (two-person relay teams) and $45 for the 5K fun run/hike. The children’s run will be free, with donations accepted.
Kilowatt Cross
Colin Reuter, vice president of B2C2, said 2026 would mark the fourth year the Kilowatt Cross race has been held in Northfield. The race involves cyclocross, which is described by USA Cycling as “a unique, non-Olympic discipline of cycling that can be best described as a cross between road cycling, mountain biking and steeplechase.”
The course will open at 7 a.m. on Sept. 26 for those looking to ride and explore the course ahead of time, and an introduction clinic will start at 8 a.m. Races are set to begin at 9 a.m.
Participants can register online at bikereg.com, with costs ranging from $20 to $45 depending on the race. Categories include men’s and women’s novice and master levels, junior and nonbinary races, and a relay race.
The race will be limited to 600 cyclists, and advance registration will close on Sept. 21. Registration will be allowed on the day of the event if there are still spaces available.
Jacque said there were no concerns about the event from the town’s Police, Fire and EMS departments, and Northfield is pleased to see outdoor recreation opportunities continue to return year after year.
“We like having cycling and recreation events in Northfield,” Jacque said.
