2026 Rompin' Rockwood

Rompin' Rockwood is a spring trail running event held each May in Saint John, New Brunswick. Organized by Saint John Trail Running (SJTR), the race has been on the calendar since 2016 and attracts regional trail runners looking for technical singletrack and lakefront scenery. The 2026 edition takes place on May 23, 2026.

The event offers three distances to choose from: 11 km, 26 km and 52 km. Runners can pick a shorter trail outing or step up to the ultra-distance; all races start and finish at the same Fisher Lake race headquarters. The weekend is a single-day race day, with route maps, turn sheets and GPX files provided in advance for each distance.

What sets Rompin' Rockwood apart is its intimate, community-driven vibe and authentic trail character. Courses are built from primarily technical singletrack with some crushed gravel and very little pavement, so runners get sustained trail time rather than road mileage. Race headquarters sits on the Fisher Lake lawn with a beach and kids park—perfect for crews and families—and local partners such as River & Trail, Trailway Brewing and Made With Local support the event. The 26 km and 52 km distances are part of the ITRA National League, so athletes can collect ITRA points for their performances.

Registration opens January 3, 2026 at 7:00 a.m.; entries are handled through the race registration portal and often fill as local runners plan their spring trail season.

• Start/finish at the old canteen on Fisher Lake, approximately 300 m from the Fisher Lake parking lot
• Primarily technical singletrack trails with intermittent crushed gravel and minimal pavement
• Course runs through Rockwood Park with lakefront views, a beach area and a nearby kids park at HQ
• Terrain is rolling rather than steep—no huge climbs but rarely flat, requiring attention to footing
• Portable toilets provided at race headquarters

• Technical singletrack: Primarily technical singletrack with sections of crushed gravel and very little pavement
• Lakefront race headquarters: Start/finish at Fisher Lake's old canteen with beach, lawn space and a nearby kids park
• ITRA National League entry: 26 km and 52 km distances award ITRA points for athletes
• Three distance options: 11 km, 26 km and a true ultra distance (52 km) to suit different goals
• Local community backing: Organized by Saint John Trail Running with local sponsors like River & Trail and Trailway Brewing