Los Lunas Hosts 10th King of the Hill Trail Race March 7

Runners and families will head to El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve for the 10th annual King of the Hill trail race, scheduled for March 7, 2026. The Village of Los Lunas Parks & Recreation Department and race organizers announced the event will offer 5K, 10K and half-marathon distances, plus youth and Kids races, bringing organized trail running back to one of Valencia County’s signature outdoor venues.

The event’s return next month underscores the role of municipal recreation programming in activating public lands. The Village of Los Lunas Parks & Recreation Department’s involvement signals continued local government support for outdoor fitness opportunities and community events that use the preserve’s trails. For residents, the race presents both a recreation option and a civic moment: volunteers, spectators and local businesses typically intersect around such events, and the permit process and coordination required illustrate how municipal departments and organizers collaborate.

Course formats that include multiple distances and youth divisions broaden access across ages and abilities. The inclusion of a Kids race highlights the event’s emphasis on youth involvement, a priority for Parks & Recreation programming as officials seek to expand active options for younger residents. For competitive runners, the half-marathon and 10K provide more challenging trail terrain; for recreational runners and walkers, the 5K offers an entry point to off-road running.

Beyond fitness, recurring events at El Cerro de Los Lunas Preserve affect trail stewardship and municipal planning. Regular, organized use can increase public awareness of trail conditions and maintenance needs, and the Village of Los Lunas Parks & Recreation Department’s role provides a direct channel for feedback about signage, parking and safety. Residents following trail access, weekend parking and volunteer clean-ups will want to track announcements from Village of Los Lunas Parks & Recreation Department about course layout, start times and any temporary access changes.

For local businesses, restaurants and service providers in Los Lunas, an organized race day can mean a boost in customers from participants and visiting supporters. For property managers and trail stewards, the event is a reminder of the balance between recreational access and conservation needs at the preserve.

What comes next for readers is practical: Los Lunas residents interested in running, volunteering, or attending should monitor announcements from the Village of Los Lunas Parks & Recreation Department for registration and operational details as race day approaches. The 10th King of the Hill will be a chance for the community to showcase local trails, engage young residents in outdoor activity, and observe how municipal recreation programming shapes use of public open space.