El Matador Trail Races

The 2026 El Matador Trail Races will be held on June 20th, 2026. 

For 10 years, we have been bringing trail runners from all over the United States and beyond to Wooster Memorial Park to compete in The Super Bull Trail Championships.  These races take place in March each year when the weather is unpredictably cold, snowy, cranky, and just plain rugged.  The trail conditions are typically muddy and soft...just how you'd like them for an early spring trail race.  BUT...many of our most faithful participants often ask, "What would it be like to race here in the Summer?" and The El Matador Trail Races will help us answer that question. Expect dry trails, greenery, sunny skies, and refreshing creek crossings!  These routes we use for this race WILL NOT be confused with the routes we use for The Super Bull Trail Championships, they will instead include new trails and different vantage points on some trails you may recognize.  The El Matador gives you an opportunity to "tame the bull"!  In addition to creating memories and fun with friends on the trail, this event also allows the Wooster Running Club to make a substantial donation to The Friends of Wooster Memorial Park.  Race proceeds will once again benefit the Friends of Wooster Memorial Park as they keep the park up to date with trail maintenance, clean-up and land development. But we all know the most beneficial way to help out the trails...run them! 

Those who have run with us in the past know that we treat each and every runner like a member of our family.  Those who have yet to run with us, please read below and join us...we've always got room to expand the local trail running family!

RACES:

Race day will consist of 2 separately timed events - 5 Mile and 10 Mile Trail Races.  Due to HIGH demand and LIMITED space at Wooster Memorial Park, the races will tbe limited to just the first 200 participants to register:

Saturday, June 20 - 5 Mile will start at 8:45am, 10 Mile will start at 9:00am 

THE COURSES:

The 5 Mile and 10 Mile trail loops will give participants an incredible tour of Wooster Memorial Park!

5 Mile Loop (580' of Elevation Gain):  El Matador - 5 Mile Route | Run | Strava

10 Mile Loop (1180' of Elevation Gain):  El Matador! | Run | Strava

10 Mile Course Description:

Start: behind pavilion at main parking lot, take the open meadow around the prairie in the clockwise direction and then take a LEFT onto the driveway that leads out to Silver Rd, go LEFT on Silver Rd and take that to the ADA Parking Lot at Kenwood Acres.  Go RIGHT on Kenwood Loop Trail and then RIGHT on Meadow Trail (White) that leads toward Quercas Alba Trail.  When you get to the Quercas Alba Trail, turn RIGHT and complete the loop on the "miscellaneous trail" (Dashed) in the counterclockwise direction and when this loop is complete continue straight on the Meadow Trail (White) **Note 2-way traffic on this short section** and then bear RIGHT onto the "miscellaneous trail" (Dashed) that runs through the woods paralell to the Meadow Trail (White).  At the end of this trail, turn RIGHT onto the Meadow Trail (White) and then RIGHT again onto the Kenwood Loop Trail, over the bridge, and then straight onto the Tulip Tree Trail.  At the end of the Tulip Tree Trail, turn RIGHT onto Hartman Trail (Orange), then LEFT onto Kenwood Loop Trail.  Take the "miscellaneous trail" (Dashed) that connects to Trillium Trail (Green) and turn LEFT onto Trillium Trail (Green).  Take Trillium Trail (Green) to a LEFT on Spangler Trail (Blue) and climb up the gravel hill to a RIGHT onto the Southern portion of Education Trail (Yellow), continue onto the Northern portion of the Education Trail (Yellow) and turn LEFT to go down "Gut Punch Hill" (Dashed).  At the bottom of "Gut Punch Hill", turn RIGHT onto Spangler Trail (Blue) and then bear LEFT onto Trillium Trail (Green).  Turn LEFT onto Outer Trail (RED), cross the first creek crossing, and then take a sharp RIGHT onto the Roller Trail (Yellow).  You will complete the .7 mile Roller Trail which is a bit of a lollipop with an out section, a loop at the top (to be completed in the counterclockwise direction), and a return on the same section you went out on.  There's a short section of 2 way traffic here, so please use trail courtesy.  After Completion of the Roller Trail (yellow) you will make a sharp RIGHT back onto the outer trail (red) which you will take over uphill to a RIGHT on the Strock Trail (Pink).  Take the Strock Trail (Pink) to a RIGHT onto Saddleback Trail (Purple) and continue on the Saddleback Loop in the Counterclockwise Direction, down "The Zipper" and then back up "The Saddle".  At the top of the hill, continue STRAIGHT onto Ostroski Trail (White) and continue on Ostroski to a slight LEFT onto Strock Trail (Pink).  Turn RIGHT back onto Saddleback Trail (Purple), there's a short section of 2 way traffic here, so please use trail courtesy, and then turn RIGHT onto Outer Trail (Red).  Continue onto Outer Trail (Red) for quite a while, crossing the 2nd creek crossing, and staying on Outer Trail by turning LEFT where it intersects with Sassafras Trail (Orange).  At the bottom of the hill on Outer Trail (Red), bear LEFT onto Spangler Trail (Blue) and continue on Spangler Trail (Blue) in the Clockwise Direction, crossing the creek 6 times, until you come to the open meadow where you will go right on the old field trail (white).  Take Old Field Trail up the short steep hill and bear left on the Education Trail (yellow) at the first junction, take the old field trail along the top of the meadow to a RIGHT on Education Trail (yellow), then RIGHT taking the open meadow around the prarie in the counterclockwise direction which will bring you right back to the start/finish line!  Congratulations, you have tamed The Bull and become an El Matador!

5 Mile Course Description:

Start: behind pavilion at main parking lot, take the open meadow around the prairie in the clockwise direction and then take two LEFTS onto the driveway that leads back toward the pavilion.  Go LEFT onto the meadow trail as marked and enter the Northern Portion of the Education Trail (Yellow) and turn LEFT to go down "Gut Punch Hill" (Dashed).  At the bottom of "Gut Punch Hill", turn RIGHT onto Spangler Trail (Blue) and then bear LEFT onto Trillium Trail (Green).  Turn LEFT onto Outer Trail (RED), cross the first creek crossing, and then continue straight to bypass the Roller Trail (Yellow). Continue on the outer trail (red) which you will take over uphill to a RIGHT on the Strock Trail (Pink).  Take the Strock Trail (Pink) to a LEFT onto Saddleback Trail (Purple) and then turn RIGHT onto Outer Trail (Red).  Continue onto Outer Trail (Red) for quite a while, crossing the 2nd creek crossing, and staying on Outer Trail by turning LEFT where it intersects with Sassafras Trail (Orange).  At the bottom of the hill on Outer Trail (Red), bear LEFT onto Spangler Trail (Blue) and continue on Spangler Trail (Blue) in the Clockwise Direction, crossing the creek 6 times, until you come to the open meadow where you will go right on the old field trail (white).  Take Old Field Trail up the short steep hill and bear left on the Education Trail (yellow) at the first junction, take the old field trail along the top of the meadow to a RIGHT on Education Trail (yellow), then RIGHT taking the open meadow around the prarie in the counterclockwise direction which will bring you right back to the start/finish line!  Congratulations, you have tamed The Bull and become an El Matador!

COURSE ELEVATION PROFILES:

AID:

There will be 1 aid station, on the 10 mile course only, located around the 6 mile marker loaded with:  water, electrolyte drink, light snacks, soda, and other trail running favorites.

We will also have cold water and refreshments at the Finish Line.  Please be prepared to carry water during the race.

**Aid Station offerings subject to change based on availaibilty and need.  Confirmed aid station details will be sent to all registered participants 2 weeks prior to race day

POST RACE AMENITIES:

After your run, enjoy a freshly prepared breakfast and drinks as you cheer in the other runners, enjoy the tunes of DJ Bobby, visit our vendors, and enjoy a beautiful day at Wooster Memorial Park!  Make sure you take full advantage of our photo area (complete with props) and be sure to tag us in your social media posting!

FINISHERS GIFTS:

All runners will receive a high quality finishers medal 

AWARDS:

We will have awards for top 3 finishers in the following divisions:

*Top 3 Overall Male/Female Finishers in both 5 Mile and 10 Mile Distances

**Top 1 Male/Female Finishers in the following age groups for both the 5 Mile and 10 Mile Distances:

19-Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

ALL awards will be given out at an official awards ceremony after the categories have filled.  Unclaimed awards WILL NOT be mailed out.

RACE SWAG:

10 Mile - $65.00 (Plus processing fees) from 4/1 until the race sells out

5 Mile - $55.00 (Plus processing fees) from 4/1 until the race sells out

Thank you to our Sponsors!