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We are proud to announce that the Chessie Trail Half Marathon has been selected for inclusion in the 2024 USATF Virginia Fall Distance Running Grand Prix! USATF members will be eligible for additional medals and scoring points towards the Grand Prix’s $3,500 prize purse. |
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Run America’s most spectacular rail trail! The Chessie Nature Trail was voted one of the top three recreational trails in the nation in 2023. The seven-mile Chessie Trail, situated at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, parallels the scenic Maury River and connects historic Lexington, Virginia, with the boom-town community of Buena Vista. The smooth, flat, and fast, gravel and grass trail runs along the former Chesapeake and Ohio rail line and parts of the earlier James and Kanawha Canal towpath. You’ll run 26.2 miles without ever having to cross a road, jump a curb, or pound your knees on concrete and asphalt. You’ll glide through an ever-changing landscape along the wild Maury River, through farmland and leafy canopies at their peak of fall color, past ruins of massive stone locks and dams. View wildlife from fish and ducks to rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, river otters, and even bald eagles (if you are lucky), feel the cool moist air as you pass small caves, and enjoy the serenity of a breeze rustling through a bamboo forest. A corps of the most dedicated and friendly volunteers you’ll ever meet has been working for 12 months to provide you with an unforgettable running experience and will cheer you on and provide support throughout the race. This event is sanctioned by USATF and all four race courses are USATF certified. The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier. |
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The Details
Walkers are welcome in the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Full Marathon registration includes a custom embroidered finisher’s hat, long sleeve unisex tech t-shirt, race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers and age group winners, and post-race pizza, snacks, and beverage. Half Marathon registration includes a long sleeve unisex tech t-shirt, race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers and age group winners, and post-race pizza, snacks, and beverage. 10K & 5K runners will receive a short sleeve unisex tech t-shirt, race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers and age group winners, and snacks and beverage following the race. Marathon Relay registration includes, long sleeve unisex tech t-shirt, race sticker, custom medals for all team members, trophies for the winners of each division, and post-race pizza, snacks, and beverage. There is plenty of free parking near the start and plenty of other activities to make a weekend of it in the most beautiful part of Virginia! Registration for each race is limited, so register now to ensure your spot. |
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Marathon |
Date |
Price |
Student (student ID required) |
-- |
$38 |
Super Early Discount |
12/1 - 5/31 |
$58 |
Early |
6/1 - 7/31 |
$63 |
On-Time |
8/1 - 9/30 |
$68 |
Late |
10/1 - 10/25 |
$83 |
Virtual Option |
12/1 - 10/25 |
$58 |
Half Marathon |
Date |
Price |
Student (student ID required) |
-- |
$28 |
Super Early Discount |
12/1 - 5/31 |
$48 |
Early |
6/1 - 7/31 |
$53 |
On-Time |
8/1 - 9/30 |
$58 |
Late |
10/1 - 10/25 |
$68 |
Virtual Option |
12/1 - 10/25 |
$48 |
10K |
Date |
Price |
Student (student ID required) |
-- |
$25 |
Super Early Discount |
12/1 - 5/31 |
$30 |
Early |
6/1 - 7/31 |
$33 |
On-Time |
8/1 - 9/30 |
$35 |
Late |
10/1 - 10/25 |
$40 |
Virtual Option |
12/1 - 10/25 |
$30 |
5K |
Date |
Price |
Student (student ID required) |
-- |
$23 |
Super Early Discount |
12/1 - 5/31 |
$28 |
Early |
6/1 - 7/31 |
$31 |
On-Time |
8/1 - 9/30 |
$33 |
Late |
10/1 - 10/25 |
$38 |
Virtual Option |
12/1 - 10/25 |
$28 |
26.2 Relay |
Date |
Price |
Student (student ID required for all) |
-- |
$104 |
Super Early Discount |
12/1 - 5/31 |
$104 |
Early |
6/1 - 7/31 |
$124 |
On-Time |
8/1 - 9/30 |
$144 |
Late |
10/1 - 10/25 |
$164 |
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Full Marathon
Half Marathon
10K & 5K
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26.2 Relay
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The trail follows a very gentle grade throughout. The surface is smooth gravel and grass, usually about 10 feet wide. Overhanging trees may drop branches and nuts, adjoining cliffs may drop rocks, there are still a couple of sections where livestock may be dropping things, there are a couple of small springs which may be seeping, and very rarely there may be a small root in the trail. So you will want to keep your eyes on the trail at all times, and watch where you step for many reasons.
Full Marathon Course: Start time 8 a.m. The course starts and ends at the midpoint of the Chessie Trail. It consists of an out-and-back loop east towards Buena Vista, and then an out-and-back loop west towards Lexington. The full route will be completed twice. Half Marathon Course: Start time 8 a.m. The course starts and ends at the midpoint of the Chessie Trail. It consists of an out-and-back loop east towards Buena Vista, and then an out-and-back loop west towards Lexington. The race will start and finish on the Chessie Trail at the McKethan Park/I-81 overpass. From McKethan Park the course will go approximately 4 1/4 miles towards Buena Vista. At the boat launch near Buena Vista, the course will turn around and retrace the trail 6 3/4 miles towards Lexington. It will pass the starting line and continue until reaching the Lexington trailhead and then looping back about 2 1/2 miles back to the finish line at McKethan Park. 10K Course: Start time 8:15 a.m. Race will start and finish on the Trail at McKethan Park/I-81 overpass. From McKethan Park the course will go towards Buena Vista, 2.5K, then turn around just after the South River bridge and proceed back to the starting line at McKethan Park, and continue 2.5K towards Lexington before turning back to finish at McKethan Park. 5K Course: Start time 8:25 a.m. Race will start and finish on the Trail at McKethan Park/I-81 overpass. From McKethan Park the course will go towards Lexington, 2.5K, then turn around near the middle of the two horseshoe bends, and proceed back to the finish line at McKethan Park. 26.2 Relay Course: Start time 8 a.m. Same course as the Full Marathon. All exchanges will take place at the start/finish line. Aid/drink stations will be set up at the start/finish, all turn-around points, and near the South River bridge. Porta-potties will be set up at the start/finish, Old Sheppard Road, Buena Vista turnaround, and the Lexington turnaround. View a map of the course here. |
Course Rules: No strollers. No animals allowed in race, except service animals. Ear buds are permitted, but are discouraged for safety reasons. Stay to the right when encountering oncoming runners. Walkers are welcome in the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon races.
Trail Etiquette:
Drop Bags: A drop bag area will be set up near the starting line. Runners must have their bib number present when checking bags in and out. Do not put valuables such as money or electronics in your drop bag. We will make every effort to see that your belongings are safely returned to you, but cannot take responsibility for the loss or damage of any valuables. Spectators: Spectators may park at McKethan Park for free, and walk a short distance down to the trail and the start/finish line. There are very few access points to the trail and none with good parking, so the best choice for spectators is to remain at the start/finish line. The full and half marathon runners will come back by the start line about 8 1/2 miles into the race. 10K runners will also come by the start/finish area halfway through their race. The start/finish area is beneath an I-81 overpass, so spectators may stay out of the sun/rain, if they so choose. There is a small amount of bleacher seating at the start/finish area, but you may want to bring your own chair. |
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Custom medals will be given to all finishers of the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and all 26.2 Relay team members. Awards will be presented as soon as results are available. The top three male, female, and non-binary finishers of the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K will receive gift certificates. Marathon Relay winning teams in each division will receive a trophy. Individuals who set a course record will receive a $50 cash prize. Age group first place in the Marathon, Half Marathon,10K and 5K will receive awards. Age groups male, female, and non-binary: 12 and under, 13-18, 19-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 and over.
We strongly recommend that you stay to claim your award. However, if you are not able to stay, we can mail it to you. There is a $25 packing and postage charge and you can pay here. |
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Day |
Time |
Event |
Friday |
10am-7pm |
Packet Pickup |
Saturday |
6:30am |
Parking Opens |
6:30-7:30am |
Packet Pickup |
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8:00am |
Start of 26.2, 13.1, & 26.2 Relay |
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8:15am |
Start of 10K |
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8:25am |
Start of 5K |
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9:00am |
5K Overall & Age-Group Winners Awards |
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9:15am |
10K Overall Winners Awards |
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9:30am |
10K Age-Group Winners Awards |
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9:50am |
13.1 Overall Winners Awards |
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10:05am |
13.1 Age-Group Winners Awards |
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11:30am |
26.2 Male Overall Winners Awards |
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12:10pm |
26.2 Female, Non-Binary, & Relay Overall Winners Awards 26.2 Male Age-Group Winners Awards |
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12:30pm |
26.2 Female & Non-binary Age-Group Winners Awards |
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3:00pm |
All Race Support Ceases |
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5:00pm |
McKethan Park Gate is Locked |
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