On August 1, Virginia should be in Phase III of the Forward Virginia Reopening Plan. At this time, we are applying for permits to hold this race. We have had to make drastic changes in our operating procedures, DO NOT assume that what happened in the past will happen in 2020. Some highlights:
With Phase III, gathering size is unlimited. However, some people may feel safer with social distancing. We have designated the color Safety Yellow as the "stay away from me" color. Any person wearing a Safety Yellow top is asking people to respect their space and stay at least 6 feet away. Race shirts will be Safety Yellow.
There will be Limited on Course Aid. Each runner will receive 1 liter of bottled water at miles 8, 15.5 and 22.9 (3 liters total). You will need to carry, from the start, or place in your drop bags, any food you need on the course or additional fluids. There will be other locations along the course with first aid.
Each runner will be allowed drop bags at two locations on the course. Those locations are at miles 8/22.9 and 15.5. Drop bags may be any size.
Bring your own sanitizer. We're in the woods, we have no running water, it's a long race and sanitizer supplies are limited. Race management does not guarantee there will be wash stations or hand sanitizer at the start/finish or along the course. Nor will we clean the porta pots after each use. BTW, there will be porta pots at the start/finish and miles 8, 15.5 and 22.9.
If the race is cancelled, we will give FULL REFUNDS of race entry fees. Local officials may pull our permits at any time. Let's hope for the best. We will not have a virtual option or deferels to 2021.
In the past, we have had a large tent at the Finish and cooked burgers. We can't do that this year. There will be no tent and all food will be packaged and accessable only by Race volunteers. This includes bottled and canned beverages.
There will be NO post race awards ceremony. Awards will be distributed as runners finish.
To reduce the number of people, and potential infection sources, you will not be allowed to have a crew or pacer. And please, ask your non participating friends to stay at home. COVID-19 is a lower respitory illness. You will have a very difficult time running if infected. On the other hand, a spectator could hang out and cough up a lung and not feel that bad.
All participants must be at least 18 years old. Sorry, this the first time I needed to add an age restriction.
As always, when you pick up your race number, you will required to sign a Waiver and provide Emergency Contact information. New this year, is a COVID-19 clause that you accept that you may be exposed to the virus. Please do not register for the race and then ask for a refund because of the fear of becoming infected. In this latter case, you probably are already in fear. Expect the same level of the virus as current.
On race day, please don't show up with a fever or other symptoms of COVID-19. There will be other races to run. If you cannot and do not run due to a positive test for COVID-19 or you are quarantined due to possible exposure to COVID-19 between July 15 and August 7, send us the results and we'll give you a FULL REFUND.
If Virginia is in Phase II of the Forward Virginia Plan, we will have two start waves of about 35 participants each. The first wave will start at 6:15am for runners expecting to finish in 6 hours or slower. The second wave will be runners expecting to finish faster than 6 hours at 6:45am.
Also with a Phase II, runners in the second wave should stay in or near their cars until 6:15am.
There is a separate race information for the 3 H Trail Half-Marathon.
Saturday August 1, 2020 - 6:30 AM
Race is limited to 150. Parking is at the Rt 605 Trailhead. Please Carpool and arrive early. Lot opens at 5am.
Rt 605 Trailhead on Dahlgren Rail Heritage Trail, King George, VA - 10431 Bloomsbury Rd - King George VA 22485
18 years and older
Wal-Mart - 15.5 miles - 10:30am
Panorama - 18.5 miles - 11:45am
Indiantown - 22.9 miles - 1:00pm
Comorn - 27.0 miles - 2:15pm
Finish - 31.0 miles - 3:30pm
Runner Instructions
All runners must check in at the start line on Saturday Morning
Runner numbers will be recorded at Wal-Mart and Indiantown Rd. Make sure your number is recorded upon arrival.
If you drop, you must turn your number in at the next aid station on the trail.
A runner will be financially responsible for any search and rescue if they fail to follow tracking procedures.
Until May 31, 2020 - $75
June 1 to June 30, 2020 - $85
July 1 to July 29, 2020 - $95
After July 29, 2020 - $100
Short Sleeve Technical T-shirt, Finisher's Award, some Post Race Food.
As supplies last, the finisher's awards are a hat, glass or medal. In the past couple of years, we have run out of medals. So, if you want a medal as your finisher's award, make sure you check the appropriate box on the entry form or indicate as part of the on-line registration. We will hold your requested medal for when you finish.
Overall - Top Three Males and Females - Cash ($200, $100, $50)
Course Record Bonuses - First male finishing faster than 3:10:26 and first female finishing faster than 3:39:26 - Cash $100
Age Groups - 19 & under, 40-49, 50-59, 60 & over - Top Man and Woman, including the top three finishers - Rail Spike
Manual timing provided by Race Timing Unlimited. Gun times will be recorded. All awards are based on Gun Time.
from Fredericksburg 9 miles east on Rt 3. Turn left on Bloomsbury Rd (Rt 605). Trailhead is 1.5 miles on the right. Parking at the trailhead is limited, please carpool and arrive early. Lot opens at 5am.
The following hotels have confirmed they are open and taking reservations.
Holiday Inn Express - 540-625-2034 Quality Inn - 540-663-3060 Hampton Inn - 540-625-2333 Country Inn and Suites - 540-644-1500
Courtyard Fredericksburg - 540-373-8300
Hilton Garden - 540-548-8822 Hampton Inn - 540-786-5530 (Currently closed)
Will be available at Rt 605 Trailhead on July 31 only. No fires, no electricity and no running water. Porta Pots available. Anything outside of your car will need to be moved by 5am to allow for parking.
All Course related information
Out and back on Dahlgren Rail Heritage Trail from mile post 0 to just past mile post 15.5.
Link to trail website with trail and area maps, permit requirements for training use. DHRT is a private trail and a permit must be granted for pre race training.
Road Map with Hotel, Restaurant, Start/Finish and Crew Location
All Registration closes at 11:59pm on Wednesday July 29, 2020.
All participants must sign a paper waiver and include emergency contact inforamtion. The next button opens that waiver document for you to review and print.
Mandatory Trail Briefs - Each runner must attend one of three trail briefs. After the brief, you can pick up your race number and T-shirt. Trail brief will be about 15 minutes.
Trail Brief - Thursday July 30, 2020 (6:30pm) - River Rock Outfitter 215 William Street in Fredericksburg
Trail Brief - Friday July 31, 2020 (5pm) - Rt 605 Trailhead
Race Day Brief - Saturday August 1, 2020 (6am) - Rt 605 Trailhead. Pick up you race number and shirt, starting at 5:30am.
Email: vic@farc.org, phone: 540-310-4803
Lists of Course Records, fastest runners and all finishers of first 11 years.