Promoting trail running in the D.C. area for three decades.
We are a fun group of trail runners of all abilities centered in northern Virginia. Many but not all of us run ultramarathons. Come play with us at our races and training runs!
Our intrepid trail reporter, John Calabrese, capped off an amazing February of tackling big winter mountain challenges with a finish at the Reverse Ring. This newly-minted Master of The Ring has shared his thoughts on the race in the latest installment of the Calabrese Corner.
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The Board of the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club is very excited to announce the new race director for the Bull Run Run 50 Miler, Lauren Gabler Masterson!
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The reports are coming in from the Reverse Ring 2024: The Year of the Snowy Surprise. Hear now from Nick Neakrase, actually, newly minted Master of The Ring Nick Neakrase, if you please …
Read moreHere’s what we have coming up. See our calendar for a full list of our (and others’) events
Sat May 18
100.6 miles
Fort Valley, VA
Entry opens: Oct 31, 2023
A challenging, rocky 100 miler on the trails of the Massanutten Mountains in the George Washington National Forest in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. The course includes short but rugged mountain climbs with more than 18,000 feet of total ascent. There is a 36-hour cutoff.
Sat Sep 7
13.6 miles
Fairfax Station, VA
Entry opens: Apr 10, 2023
A challenging yet chill race for women only … built for new trail runners and veterans alike.
Sat Feb 22
50 km
Westminster, MD
Entry opens: Jan 1, 2024
31 miles of trails, old woods roads, open fields, and plenty of hills with a couple of stream crossings thrown in just for fun.
Sat Apr 5
50.2 miles
Clifton, VA
Entry opens: Oct 1, 2024
A 50 mile trail run that parallels the Bull Run and the Occoquan River in northern Virginia, just outside of Washington, DC. The course traverses forested, rolling terrain during the height of Virginia’s spring beauty. The run’s unique character includes a Civil War theme that honors the battles that occurred here over 150 years ago. The 13 hour time limit makes Bull Run Run an excellent first 50 miler.
Sun May 26
31.9 miles
McConnellsburg, PA
Entry opens: Apr 22, 2024
Entry closes: May 23, 2024
Stephanie Fonda hosts this holiday weekend event in south-central Pennsylvania’s Cowans Gap State Park. Very challenging course in a beautiful area, with a lakeside barbecue at the finish.
Sun Apr 21
7-10 miles
Washington, DC
Explore the trails of Rock Creek Park on these low-key runs. We leave at 8:00 am from either Peirce Mill or Theodore Roosevelt Island and the runs are roughly 7–10 miles long.
Thu Jul 4
20.9 miles
Flint Hill, VA
Smooth, runnable loop up and over the Blue Ridge and back. Wear red, white, and blue.
Fri Jul 5
15.5 miles
Washington, VA
A figure-eight loop on the trails in Shenandoah National Park, featuring an opening climb up Little Devil Stairs, a mid-run stop at Elkwallow, some excellent views from Hogback, and a long, bombing downhill finish. Also the shortest of the three Trifecta runs, but one that will still present a fair challenge for your running legs!
Sat Jul 6
24.2 miles
Syria, VA
Also known as “Shenandoah’s National Park’s greatest hits,” this 24-mile loop’s highlights include White Oak Canyon, Hawksbill, Stony Man, all connected by beautiful ridge running on the Appalachian Trail.
Fri Nov 29
25.3 miles
Nethers, VA
Often referred to as “Shenandoah’s National Park’s greatest hits,” this 25-mile loop’s highlights include White Oak Canyon, Hawksbill, Stony Man, all connected by beautiful ridge running on the Appalachian Trail.
Sat May 4
Luray, VA
Come join us in sprucing up the MMT course for this year’s race.
Now that Shenandoah National Park is largely reopened, we can recommend Vicki’s Death March! Often referred to as “Shenandoah National Park’s greatest hits,” this 25-mile loop’s highlights include White Oak Canyon, Hawksbill, Stony Man, all connected by beautiful ridge running on the Appalachian Trail. Just be sure to get an early start, as Old Rag is an especially popular trailhead… especially now.
On top of the world on Little Stony Man during the 2011 Vicki’s Death March.
