Event Description

Run past draft horses, oxen, donkeys, and goats on an approximately 4 mi trail race. Or, run the trail twice for an 8 mile run. The trail includes woods, fields, pond edges, and possible creeks depending on recent weather. The Oxtrot Trail Race begins and ends at Tillers International in Scotts, MI, and makes its way across picturesque Michigan landscapes before taking you to AACORN Community Farms on your way to the finish line at the point where it all began.

The Oxtrot Trail Race began in 2017 when a group of Kalamazoo area trail runners wanted a fun, unique race that would be open to anyone to enjoy. From its beginning, the Oxtrot Trail Race worked on maintaining a sense of whimsy and quirkiness which quickly expanded its fan-base. Runners are likely to stop and pet a baby goat, take a selfie with an ox, or slow to a walk to admire an 1880's timber-framed barn. It's a race where taking in the sights is as much fun as the run itself!

Tillers International and AACORN Community Farms are both non-profits that use farm animals to help others. Tillers International teaches people how to work with draft animals and AACORN teaches adults with developmental disabilities life-skills via the farm. Proceeds from the Oxtrot benefit both organizations.