Wild in the Woods - 5 & 10 mile Trail Race 2026
- Date
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- Start time
- 9:00 AM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Defiance, Missouri
- Entry fee
- From $39 · goes up to $54 on Nov 24, 2026
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
Registration is open.
We earn a small commission when you register through this link, at no cost to you. Details
Official race websiteAdd to calendar: Apple or Outlook · Google
Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mile | 10 Mile | Dec 5, 20269:00 AM | $49$54 after Nov 24, 2026 | – |
| 5 mile | 8K | Dec 5, 20269:00 AM | $39$44 after Nov 24, 2026 | – |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
The 10 Mile fee goes up to $54 on Nov 24, 2026.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- 10 mile: $49 until Nov 24, then $54 until Dec 5, then $59 until Dec 5.
- 5 mile: $39 until Nov 24, then $44 until Dec 5, then $49 until Dec 5.
Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:05 AM, and the 10 mile starts at 9:00 AM. The start sits about 750 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
1795 Hwy Dd, Defiance, MO 63341
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2023 results
All results5 mile
10 mile
Aggregated from official results (Big River Race Management) for Wild in the Woods - 5 & 10 mile Trail Race. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at Wild in the Woods - 5 & 10 mile Trail Race?
At the 2023 5 mile, the fastest tenth finished in 40:28 or better, the top quarter in 47:20, and half the field in 54:57; the last tenth came in after 1:12:57.
At the 2023 10 mile, the fastest tenth finished in 1:17:34 or better, the top quarter in 1:26:03, and half the field in 1:37:48; the last tenth came in after 1:58:45.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 30-39 | 40:03 | 39:58 |
| 40-49 | 51:57 | 39:19 |
| 50-59 | 50:53 | 47:29 |
| 60-69 | n/a | 52:19 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2023.
How fast is it?
Faster than most US trail 8Ks
The fastest quarter of the 2023 8K field finished under 47:20, against 50:16 in a typical US trail 8K, so times here run 6 percent faster.
- 10 Mile: Faster than most US trail 10-mile races. The fastest quarter of the 2023 10-mile race field finished under 1:26:03, against 1:39:05 in a typical US trail 10-mile race, so times here run 13 percent faster.
Compares the fastest quarter of each field, so walkers and first-timers do not skew it. It reflects the course and the field together: a flat course, cool weather, or a competitive crowd all make times faster.
Typical race-day weather
Around December 5 the day usually runs from 32°F at dawn to 47°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 20% of days. Cold snaps dip to 20°F and hot years reach 63°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
Race details
- Where
- 1795 Hwy Dd, Defiance, MO 63341Map
- Course
- Trail
- Start elevation
- About 750 feet
- Results posted by the race
- Results
- Included with entry
- Choose your swag
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- 8K, 10 Mile
- Editions
- 2026 (Dec 5, 2026), 2025 (Dec 6, 2025), 2024 (Dec 7, 2024), 2023 (Dec 2, 2023), 2022 (Dec 3, 2022), 2021 (Dec 4, 2021)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is Wild in the Woods - 5 & 10 mile Trail Race?
- Saturday, December 5, 2026, starting at 9:00 AM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $39 before processing fees, and rises to $54 on Nov 24, 2026.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Dec 5, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- 8K, 10 Mile.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2023, 144 runners finished the 5 mile; the median finish was 54:57 and the winner ran 31:04.
- Is it a fast course?
- The fastest quarter of the 2023 8K field finished under 47:20, against 50:16 in a typical US trail 8K, so times here run 6 percent faster.
- Where does it start?
- 1795 Hwy Dd, Defiance, MO 63341.
From the organizers
The 6th annual Wild in the Woods Trail Race will take place at the beautiful Broemmelsiek Park in St. Charles County on December 5th, 2026. Signup for 5 or 10 miles of the flattest, fastest, and most beautiful single track in Missouri. Join us after your race for live music, a free beer (21+), and great vibes!