2020 Race

Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K, & Marathon Relay

October 30, 2021

Click HERE to register for our 2021 race. More details will be posted on our website shortly!

Friend Of The Chessie Trail wishes to thank the more than 70 runners who registered for the Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, & 5K. We appreciate that even though this year’s races had to be run virtually, runners were still willing to support the Chessie Trail.

We also wish to thank our sponsors Walkabout Outfitters, Lex Running Shop, Rockbridge Vineyards, The Southern Inn, Halcyon Days Cider Co., Sugar Maple Trading Co., Red Newt Bikes, and Ragged Mtn. Running Shop, for collectively donating 20 gift certificates which were given as prizes for finishers, and our other sponsors CornerStone Bank, Great Valley Brewery, Heliotrope Brewery, and Charles Barger & Son.

And lastly, a special thanks to those runners who ran their races in their Halloween costumes, which provided much excitement and joy for everyone on the Chessie.

View 2020 results here

VIRTUALLY Run the Chessie!

Due to ongoing uncertainty and safety concerns, all of our 2020 Chessie races are being transformed into VIRTUAL races. This means that you can still sign up to run our classic Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K races in the fall, but you will run your race at a time and place of your own choosing, any time between October 17 and November 1. If permitted, we will set up course markers on the Chessie Trail for the duration of the races.

Runners will receive custom printable bibs and finisher certificates, and self-reported times will be posted on our website. Runners who report their times will be eligible for randomly drawn prizes and those who run the race in their Halloween costume and post a picture will be eligible for special prizes.

As always, 100% of proceeds from the races will go to the Friends Of The Chessie Trail for trail improvements.

Run North America’s best rail trail! 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, 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 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, 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.

The Marathon
Marathon runners will get to see the whole trail twice. You will be amazed at how the landscape changes as the sun comes over the cliffs transforming the narrow valley and the sparkling river at its bottom. Ideal for the first-time marathoner!

The Half Marathon
Half Marathon runners will see nearly all of the trail as they head east towards Buena Vista, loop back to their starting point on the way to Lexington, and then loop back down to finish where they started.

The 5K
5K runners can start at the Lexington end, running along remote sections of the Maury River through forests and fields, and at the base of towering limestone cliffs. Or start at the Buena Vista end and run past a well-preserved ancient lock and the remains of two old dams.

Registration Details

Registrations and payment will only be accepted online at Active.com. We are sorry that we cannot make refunds or transfers for any reason.

Race	Cost
VIRTUAL 5K	$15
VIRTUAL Half Marathon	$15
VIRTUAL Marathon	$15

Amenities

Full Marathon

Custom printable race bib.
Custom printable finisher certificate.
Self-reported results posted on website.
Finishers eligible for random prize drawings.

Half Marathon

Custom printable race bib.
Custom printable finisher certificate.
Self-reported results posted on website.
Finishers eligible for random prize drawings.

Custom printable race bib.
Custom printable finisher certificate.
Self-reported results posted on website.
Finishers eligible for random prize drawings.

Course Description & Map

All three VIRTUAL races may be run on any course that you choose.

For those choosing to run their VIRTUAL race on the Chessie:
The trail follows a very gentle grade throughout (except for a short distance at the South River detour). 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: You may start at any point on the Chessie Trail. The course 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: You may start at any point on the Chessie Trail. The course consists of an out and back loop east towards Buena Vista, and then an out and back loop west towards Lexington.

There is one detour due to a washed-out bridge over the South River where the trail shifts over to Stuartsburg Road for 1/3 of a mile. There are signs marking this detour, and all trail users are encouraged to run/walk facing traffic.

5K Course: 5K runners may start at the 1 mile marker near Lexington and run an out-and-back 5K without having to cross any bridges or go through any gates. From the Buena Vista end, 5K runners can start just after the first gate and do an out-and-back that will involve going through one gate.

View a map of the course here.

Course Rules: Runners choosing to run their VIRTUAL race on the Chessie must maintain a safe social distance as well as observing the regular Chessie Trail rules:

No trespassing dusk to dawn.
Exercise caution and respect.
Bicycle speed limit 15 MPH.
Pets must remain leashed (6’ max.) at all times.
Clean up after your pet.
Pack out all litter.
No trespassing on private property adjacent to the trail.
No unauthorized motor vehicles.
No weapons, fires, fireworks, or alcohol.
Groups of 15 or more require permit from VMI.

Trail Etiquette:

Be considerate.
Take only photos; leave only footprints.
Keep right; pass left.
Give audible warning before passing.
Yield to slower users.
Allow faster users to pass safely.
Do not block trail.
Close gates behind you.
Control your small children and pets.
Don't startle the cows.
Be aware that VMI cadets use the trail for training.

Parking

There are designated parking spots at the “Pure Oil” parking area on the Lexington end of the trail, and at the Boat Launch on the Buena Vista end of the trail. There are several other commonly used parking areas on the Lexington end and a few spots at South River.

Results

Runners should self report their finish times through their Active.com registration and post photos on the race Facebook page. Results will then be posted at runthechessie.org.

Refunds & Transfers

There will be no refunds or transfers for any reason.

Race Day Info

Average race day temperatures are perfect for endurance running with a low of 39° and high of 64°.

There are no public restrooms or water sources on the Chessie, so plan to be able to take care of your own needs.

Contact

If you have questions or concerns, please contact our race director, Eric Sheffield at runthechessie@gmail.com.