Tic-Tac-Toe Trail Party

This race is a beginner friendly twist on the traditional trail run.  It will be held at 1North Adventure Trails in Blanchard. TTTTP is a different format than your traditional race.  It's designed to make running fun by utilizing a game you've known since childhood....tic-tac-toe.  You will be timed and your distance will be recorded but there will be no age groups and no overall winners. The goal is 3 O’s in a row but there will be other ways to win as well.  

The Rules: 

Each runner will compete in a game of skill or chance at the completion of each lap. For example: the runner will roll a 6 sided die that has an equal # of X's and O's.  If the player rolls a O, then the player gets to decide where an O is placed on their tic-tac-toe bib.  If a player rolls a X, the worker puts an x on the tic-tac-toe bib.

course is always x, player is always O. 
Yes, they will be instructed to block you and no amount of begging on your part will dissuade them.  Second loop for example: The worker will hold their fists out in front of them.  One fist contains and X and the other an O; you must choose.  You get O you pick where it goes, you get x, the worker selects.  Once again no whining, they're gonna be mean. 3rd loop for example: Worker flips a coin with an X and an O.  -There will be a game of skill or chance at the completion of each lap.

X's will be marked with black sharpies (provided) and O's with a surprise color sharpies. (provided)

Ways to win:

1st back with 3 O’s in-a-row and no X’s-$50

1st back with a tic-tac-toe (this will probably be a person with three O’s but if it isn’t) $25

1st back with 4 corners (4 o’s with one in each corner)-$25

1st back with an X of X's-$25

1st back with an X of O's-$25

8 of a kind (X's or 8 O's)-Free Race Entry

1st back with CAT (Every box has an X or an O and no 3 in a row)-$50.

This is a timed event. You will get a time for every 5 mile circuit. A circuit is 3 completed loops. If you do one circuit and then two extra 1 mile loops; you’ll get a time for the 4 mile circuit not the 6 miles.  You must do another 4 mile circuit to get a time for 8 miles. 

I don't think this will be a real technical course.  However, the elevation is real, especially for this part of Louisiana! There will be an aid station at the Start/Finish area.  While it won't be a full on "Ultra quality" aid station because this isn't an Ultra; it will have more than you'd expect to find on a road course.  I anticipate offering water at the turn-around point of each trail (the game table) but that table isn't far from the start/finish so it won't be a full on aid station. I'm also looking for volunteers for the game table and I am offering race credits to future events.  

I'm thinking cake and ice cream at the finish.  Also, it's BYOB and if you do that, then BRDAB.

GIVEAWAY- YOU GET A BIB/NUTRITION BELT THAT SAYS "TIC-TAC-TOE TRAIL PARTY" ON IT!

THERE ARE MEDALS!  

Join fellow runners on September 19, 2026 for the Tic-Tac-Toe Trail Party. It's a fantastic 8K, 12.9K, 19.3K featuring a flat and fast course in Blanchard.