About This Race
Set entirely within Virginia's New River Trail State Park, the New River Trail Races offer runners a distinctive opportunity to run on converted railway corridors that follow the historic path of the Norfolk and Western Railway. The courses run alongside the New River and Chestnut Creek, providing a serene backdrop of flowing water and riparian forest. With four distance options ranging from 10K to 100K, the event caters to runners seeking their first trail experience as well as ultrarunners looking for a fast, accessible course. All distances follow simple out-and-back formats on crushed stone and dirt surfaces, eliminating navigation concerns and allowing runners to focus purely on pacing and endurance. The rail-trail conversion means consistent footing without technical terrain, roots, or rocks that typically challenge trail runners. Early morning starts accommodate the longer distances, with the 100K beginning at 4:00 AM to provide ample time within the generous cutoffs. The race's location in Fries, Virginia, places it within easy reach of both the Blue Ridge Mountains and the broader Southeast running community. The flat profile and predictable surface conditions make this an ideal venue for trail running newcomers or road runners transitioning to dirt surfaces, while the longer distances provide legitimate ultrarunning challenges without the technical demands of mountain courses.
The courses utilize the converted railway bed of the New River Trail State Park, following the former Norfolk and Western Railway route. Runners traverse crushed stone and dirt surfaces that parallel the New River and Chestnut Creek, maintaining the gentle gradients originally engineered for rail transport. The rail-trail setting provides consistent footing and clear sightlines, with the natural corridor offering shade from mature hardwood trees.
All distances use straightforward out-and-back configurations, starting and finishing at the same point in Fries. The converted railway maintains its original engineering characteristics, resulting in a course that flows naturally with the river valley topography without significant elevation changes.
Location
Practical Info
April in southwestern Virginia typically features mild temperatures with potential for spring rain showers.
Best For
Notable Features
The race's unique setting on a converted railway corridor provides an exceptionally runnable ultra experience, combining the appeal of trail running with the predictability of engineered gradients. The combination of river views, historical railway infrastructure, and completely non-technical terrain creates an accessible entry point into ultra distances while maintaining the natural beauty that draws runners to trail events.