Gemini Adventures brings three challenging trail runs to the Land of Enchantment in Red River, New Mexico, with the Enchanted Forest Trail Races 2026 event. Runners can register for a Heavy Half course or continue for another thirteen miles to complete a full Marathon. The courses start and finish at Brandenburg Park in downtown Red River, an adventure town with stunning views surrounded by rivers and mountains. Both courses include the challenging trails in Carson National Forest and climb along the course of the Enchanted Forest cross-country ski area. Here at Strambecco, we consider Enchanted Forest Trail Races 2026 to be one of the Best Trail Running Events in the Southwest.

The Enchanted Forest Trail Races Marathon course offers big challenges and stunning views, encompassing approximately 25 miles with around 4,000 feet of elevation gain. At the Red River Visitor Center, racers will ascend the dirt Old Pass Road with picturesque peak views and reach the Switchback aid station at mile 4. Rolling terrain leads to the Enchanted Forest aid station at mile 7.4, where marathoners will complete a 5.5-mile loop through dense forests. The course then leads to the ski resort, where the most significant challenge awaits – ascending The Face, a steep ski slope with no trail, resulting in a rewarding finish at the top of the Platinum lift.

The Heavy Half Marathon offers a fun and challenging out-and-back course, covering 14.7 miles with over 1,700 feet of elevation gain. Most of the climbing occurs at the Switchback aid station around mile 4. Afterwards, they’ll face rolling terrain to the turnaround point at the Enchanted Forest cross-country ski area (mile 7.4).

Six aid stations support the runners, including ones at the base and peak of the Enchanted Forest ski route. The aid stations are cupless, so participants need to bring their bottles to refill at stations. Aid stations will be stocked with ice water, gels, potato chips, skittle, and LMNT drink. Customized awards are given to the top men and female winners of the six age categories.

Gemini Adventures, founded in 2003 by passionate runners, cyclists, and adventurers, curates challenging backcountry racing experiences set against mesmerizing landscapes, primarily in Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Their primary events include the Desert RATS Trail Running Festival, which is part of the UTMB World Series, and Adventure Fest, which includes Sarlacc Attack 50K MTB, Fruita Trail Half Marathon, and Dirty Edge Gravel one of the Best Gravel Events in Colorado and the Rockies.