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Winter Trail Fest West – Half Marathon & 5 Mile Trail Race in Middleville, Michigan
Some call it the Winter Trail Fest. Others just think, “What the F…?!”
Join us on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Yankee Springs Recreation Area in Middleville, MI for Winter Trail Fest West Half Marathon and 5 Mile trail race. This winter race is known for its unpredictable conditions—snow, slush, ice, or mud—and the famous river crossing that takes “winter trail challenge” to another level. If icy water isn’t your thing, you can skip it with a short .25-mile detour, but either way, you’ll earn every step of your WTF hoodie, medal, and bragging rights.
WTF West begins with a Noon start, giving you a chance to relax in the morning before testing your grit on the trails. The Half Marathon course features rolling hills and rugged singletrack, while the 5 Mile distance offers a fast, fun taste of winter racing. Both distances welcome runners and ruckers, making WTF West one of Michigan’s few winter trail races to feature a dedicated ruck division.
This race is perfect motivation to keep training through the winter months. Signing up for WTF West means having a goal to keep you moving when the weather makes most people stay inside. The gnarlier the conditions, the cooler the participants—and at WTF West, you’ll never forget the experience.
Why Run WTF West?
Half Marathon & 5 Mile options: Choose the distance that fits your winter goals
Run or ruck divisions: A growing ruck community side by side with runners
Unpredictable winter trail conditions: Snow, slush, ice, mud—sometimes all in one race
Noon start time: Sleep in and let the temps warm up before you hit the trails
River crossing option: Test your grit or bypass with a short detour
Swag you’ll live in: Earn the custom WTF hoodie and medal every finisher loves
Community atmosphere: High-energy volunteers, bonfires, and post-race stories to share
WTF + STFU Trail Series: Race Winter Trail Fest plus Summer Trail Fest Ultra (50K, Half Marathon, 5 Mile) in June to claim connecting medals and save 15% with the bundle
This is more than a winter race—it’s a celebration of grit, unpredictability, and Michigan’s late-February trails. Sign up for the Winter Trail Fest West Half Marathon or 5 Mile and find out why runners and ruckers come back year after year.
THE DIRTY MITTEN IS PROUD TO BE THE 2026 GRAVEL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE UNIVERSE (yeah, we made that up, but the event is so good we are sticking with it)!
Based out of Camp Manitou-lin in Middleville, MI, The Dirty Mitten offers a beginner friendly sprint option (The Shorty), and a more challenging Olympic (The Long One) course.
9 EVENTS TO CHOOSE FROM: 4 events at each distance: The Shorty (sprintish), The Long One (olympicish), both feature triathlon, aquabike, duathlon and relay... plus you can join us virtually!
TO DO: Frederick Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park, John Ball Zoo, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum
AIRPORT: Gerald R Ford International Airport
AIR TEMP (AVG): 54 F / 70 F
WATER TEMP (AVG): 67 F and wetsuit legal
We think we are awesome but will admit we are biased. Check out our athlete's forum to ask questions from those who have already experienced the awesomeness that is The Dirty Mitten!