12 Hours of
Lawrence Woods
Technical Trails. Grassroots Grit. BYOE.
Enjoy 12 hours in the most underrated section of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, Lawrence Woods. What started as a casual conversation during a Wednesday night run evolved into a legitimate ultra endurance event, born from a desire to showcase technical trails and rugged elevation.
This is a low-key, high-grit loop race. We celebrate the "sneaky tough" terrain that even Fells regulars might miss—rocks, roots, and relentless undulation. No groomed paths here; just the authentic challenge of the Lawrence Woods trails.
Our philosophy is simple: Bring Your Own Everything (BYOE). We provide the course, the timing, and the community; you bring the self-sufficiency and the grit to see the 12 hours through.
The Course
Lesser-known trails take center stage.
The 4.24-mile loop starts and ends near Medford High School. You'll dive straight into the technical trails of Lawrence Woods, navigating the "rocky and rooty" terrain that defines this technical and relentless loop.
- Technical Trails: Constant engagement with the ground.
- Smart Navigation: The loop shares an intersection with opposing turns, but never crosses over.
- Local Secrets: Trails that even Fells regulars might miss.
Grit in Focus
Race Logistics
Logistics
Park at Medford High School. The start/finish is a quarter-mile walk into the woods—follow the signs and the map to the hub.
Aid Station
Minimal support provided (water, candy, sugary drinks). Bring Your Own Everything (BYOE). We recommend a chair and a bag for your personal setup.
Schedule
- 7:00 AM Registration/Bib Pickup
- 7:50 AM Pre-race Briefing
- 8:00 AM Course Opens
- 7:15 PM Last Lap Cutoff
- 8:00 PM End of Event
Not running? Come hang out, enjoy the woods, and maybe volunteer!
Samuel C. Lawrence
"A quiet man of generous spirit."
Samuel Crocker Lawrence, a scion of Medford and 1855 Harvard graduate, was enamored with soldiering from his boyhood. He lead the local militia, the Lawrence Light Guard, and eventually rose to the rank of Colonel of the state’s 5th Militia as the nation drifted towards the Civil War.
Using his family wealth and social position, he prepared his troops with a rigour that matches the endurance required to traverse these woods today. We honor his legacy of discipline and quiet persistence by running the very trails he once oversaw.