Group run schedule
When to Show Up
6:30 AM Thursdays for trailsEvenings for road runs
TrailFree
Cowgill Trail Collective
Seattle, Washington
Fun, inclusive trail herd with unique cow theme and community service
About This Club
Cowgill Trail Collective is a free trail running group in Seattle that meets at the Issaquah trailhead, built around a cow theme (spotted shorts and hats show up regularly) and a non-competitive attitude toward pace. It suits people who want trail miles with a social, low-pressure crew rather than a training squad chasing times.
Highlights
- Cow-themed (spotted shorts/hats)
- Quirky fun vibe
- Trail maintenance runs
- #alwaysgrazing
- Free events
- Inclusive community
- Trail work opportunities
Who It Suits
This works well for trail runners who want the social and community side of running, including beginners and people newer to trails, plus anyone interested in the trail maintenance events they run. It's not the group for road-only runners or highly competitive racers looking for a fast training pack. Dogs and strollers aren't accommodated, so leave those at home.
Free race emails
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Found your people? Now find the races. A Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of what's coming up near Seattle, so your crew always has a start line on the calendar.
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What a Run With Them Is Like
The signature outing is Thirsty Thursday, an early morning trail run at 6:30 AM on trail terrain that includes uphill and downhill sections. There are also evening road runs and a monthly longer weekend run, so the format shifts through the week rather than being one fixed distance or surface. Pace is explicitly all-paces, with a non-elite focus, so the group isn't oriented around a single target speed.
DistanceShort sprints, Uphill/downhill, Long weekend runs
PaceAll paces welcome; non-elite focus
TerrainTrail, Uphill, Downhill, Road
Post-runPost-run socials
Your First Run
Show up at the Issaquah trailhead for the Thursday morning run, or check their Instagram or Slack first since that's where specifics get posted. Walkers are welcome and the club describes itself as beginner friendly, so showing up without trail experience isn't a problem.
If you own any cow print, wearing it is a nice way to fit the vibe immediately, but it's not required to belong. There's a post-run social afterward, which is an easy way to actually meet people rather than just running next to strangers.
Something to train for
Upcoming Races in Seattle
66 upcoming races in Seattle. Having one on the calendar is the easiest way to turn a few group runs into a habit.
Sat, Aug 1, 2026Run Like a Viking Virtual Challenge 5K/10K/Half Marathon Seattle, WAFrom $45Details Sun, Aug 9, 202617th Lake Union 10K Run/Walk Seattle, WAFrom $78Details Sat, Aug 15, 2026One Step Closer Seattle, WAFrom $75Details
See all Seattle races
Common Questions About Cowgill Trail Collective
Do I need to sign up or pay to join a run?
No. It's free and there's no membership required, so you can just show up.
Can I bring my dog?
No, the club is not set up as dog-friendly.
Is this only trail running?
Mostly, but not entirely. Thursdays are trail runs at the Issaquah trailhead, and they also host separate evening road runs plus a monthly longer weekend run.
What if I'm not a fast runner?
That's the norm here, not the exception. The club states all paces are welcome with a non-elite focus, and walkers are explicitly welcomed too.
Is there anything besides running?
Yes, they organize trail maintenance events alongside the regular runs, and there's a post-run social component after runs.
Where this comes from: Club details come from each club’s own channels (their site, Meetup, Strava and social posts) and are checked by hand. Group runs move, so confirm the meeting spot on the club’s latest post before you head out. Last updated April 2026.