The TARC Spring Classic holds a special place in the history of the Trail Animals Running Club as it was the first new event created specifically for the TARC Trail Series. The event has played host to some of the largest gatherings of Trail Animals in the club’s history – as well as some of the wettest gatherings of Trail Animals.

The latest edition of the TARC Spring Classic took place on Saturday, April 25, at the Jericho Woods in Weston, Mass., and it may have broken new ground as the most pleasant day in the history of the event. Liv Colombo stared down a steady rain and soggy course during her race-directing debut in 2025, but Colombo dialed up an absolute dandy of a day for year two at the helm. Pleasant temperatures, sunny skies and dry trails combined for good running and plenty of good vibes for the 400+ runners who took part in the 50K, marathon, half marathon, 10K and free kids’ fun runs.

“The weather made a huge difference!” Colombo said. “This was the 15th running of the TARC Spring Classic, and I’ve heard people say that there have been only a handful of sunny race days in all those years. It obviously made logistics a lot easier, but morale was also higher among runners and volunteers. There were more spectators and supporters, people lingered for longer, and there were fewer drops. Energy was just overall higher, and the day was so much fun.

“In terms of our ‘leave no trace’ principles, I’d also say that the lack of mud meant we left the trail in pristine condition… I ran the course the next day, and there was zero evidence that hundreds of runners had been running laps there. That is in part due to the solid ground/lack of mud, but also runners and volunteers doing a fabulous job keeping trash off the trails.”

While the weather played a big role in helping runners have a great day in the woods, Colombo dialed up the fun a bit more by expanding a tradition that began a year ago: hiding garden gnomes along the course. Colombo hid four last year, and just two were recovered by runners. This year, six gnomes were hidden and all were retrieved by the end of the day and exchanged for TARC buffs.

“Adding a scavenger hunt challenge element ensures there is something fun and a potential prize for people who aren’t at the front of the pack,” Colombo said. “I hope it’s motivating to search for the gnomes, and there is certainly a lot of joy when runners cross the finish line excitedly clutching a gnome. They’re so stoked to show me and tell me all about the journey to finding it. This year all six gnomes were found, but some of them took runners several laps to spot. Maybe next year I’ll hide a few more!”

But the fun didn’t stop with running and gnomes.

“Sometimes the fun touches are what make the day!” Colombo said. “Between all the gnomes (like we even had a gnome statue playing the guitar at the aid station), a TARC friendship bracelet-making station, and the youth fun run, there were a lot of smiles.”

The gnome theme was extended beyond those hidden in the woods to others serving as awards. The overall winners of each distance and gender category received a personalized gnome, and they had to work hard to earn them.

In the 50K race, 92 runners started and 63 completed all five laps of the 10K loop course to earn official finishes. Among those who did, the gnomes were claimed by Nick Franchi, Candice Lanzoni and J Goode who were the male, female and nonbinary winners. Franchi, 30, of North Grafton, Mass., fended off 52-year-old Sebastien Roulier of Sherbrooke, Quebec, for the win by less than five minutes. Franchi finished in 4:15:59 and Roulier followed in 4:20:14. Aaron Peltz, 41, of Wayland, Mass., was third in 4:32:02 and 60-year-old David Herr of Canaan, Vt., was a close fourth in 4:37:20. Lanzoni, 32, of Hopkinton, Mass., led the female field in 4:52:33, followed by 34-year-old Samantha Butler of Providence, R.I., in 5:09:40. Madeline Abbott, 30, of Brookline, Mass., completed the podium in 5:20:52. Goode, 19, of Wayland, Mass., finished 17th overall and set a new nonbinary course record by winning in 5:35:24.

In the marathon, 36 runners started and 29 completed the distance. Rachel Hurley, 25, of Worcester, Mass., and Elizabeth Ryan, 39, of Billerica, Mass., were in close contact throughout and the battle between the top two female runners ultimately came down to the wire. Hurley held on for the win in 3:52:09 and won the race outright while Ryan was second overall in 3:54:25. Jewell Stillman, 22, of Bayside, Wisc., finished eighth overall and completed the female podium in 4:41:37. Top male Gregory Esbitt, 52, of Ipswich, Mass., was third overall in 3:58:23, followed by 26-year-old Dylan Ellis, 26, of Waltham, Mass. (4:01:56) and 37-year-old Henry McCorkle of Beth, Maine (4:17:27).

The half marathon had the largest field with 163 starters and 159 finishers. Maxime Bellefroit, 31, of Cambridge, Mass., earned the gnome trophy by outkicking Michael Sage, 34, of Charlestown, Mass. Bellefroit won in 1:29:42, followed 26 seconds later by Sage in 1:30:08. Two minutes later, 36-year-old Arthur Lagaron completed the male podium in 1:32:15. Female champion Jane McLarney, 32, of Millbury, Mass., won in 1:42:11, followed by Zoe Maxwell, 26, of Pawtucket, R.I. (1:45:04) and Lauren Opachinski, 38, of Kingston, Mass. (1:46:30). Josia DeChiara, 30, of Boston, Mass., won the nonbinary division in 2:04:11.

An additional 111 runners took part in the 10K, and a course record fell despite the course being slightly longer than in previous years. Daniel Gorelik, 29, of Cambridge, Mass., cruised to the overall win and a new male course record in 43:30. Sam Wolk, 31, also of Cambridge, was second in 45:23, followed shortly after by 44-year-old Michael Barjum of Wellesley, Mass., in 45:56. Sarah Matteodo, 35, of Allston, Mass., was fifth overall and first place in the female field in 52:32. Rebecca Joseph, 34, of Woburn, Mass., was the runner-up in 54:21, followed by 29-year-old Emily Jennings of Somerville, Mass., in 55:51.

While the competition was hot for places on the podium and the winners were ecstatic to collect their gnome statues, Colombo found fulfillment in the achievements of all of the runners, regardless of distance or pace, as well as the contributions of so many members of the community who contributed to making the day successful.

“I hear lots of stories of first-time trail runners and a lot of first 50Ks were accomplished!” Colombo said. “It was also a good reunion of the community; a lot of people who are running Riverlands this weekend were hanging out. Josh Katzman – a former Spring Classic RD – spent the day supporting a family member to his first 50K; there was an informal Burrito League podium reunion; and Northeast Trail Crew did a fabulous job combing over – by bike! – to crush it with volunteering! It overall was such a beautiful day, and I’m so excited for next year already!”

Spring Classic Field to Grow in 2027: The Spring Classic has always sold out quickly, and recent years have been no exception. After expanding the field in 2025 to accommodate more runners, the field was enlarged again for 2026 and still sold out rapidly. Colombo said the plan is to expand it again in 2027 to accommodate more runners, as long as permitting and parking allow for it. For those runners who wanted to run the Spring Classic this year but didn’t get in, Colombo hopes to see them at the Womp Romp in October in Hingham for the 10-mile or 50K races on similarly beginner-friendly courses. Colombo recently joined the race leadership team for Womp Romp, and the event has not yet sold out.

Up Next For the TARC Trail Series: The TARC Trail Series continues on Saturday, May 9, with the Wapack and Back 50-mile, 43-mile and 21.5-mile trail races in Ashburnham, Mass. All distances are sold out.