PB&J 50k + 25k

Click here for 2023 event photos from Kirk Masterson Photography

The 9^th annual PB&J trail run will be held in Prince William Forest Park on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. There are two competition distance options: a 50k (two loops) and a 25k (one loop). Choose your adventure! But please, only choose ONE adventure (i.e. don’t sign up for both competitions)!

Course

The PB&J competition is held in Prince William Forest Park, located less than 40 miles south of our nation’s capital, just off of I-95. It’s a hidden gem with shaded, undulating trails, a refreshing creek, and swinging bridges. It offers a fair mix of smooth and technical trails - perfect for new and experienced runners alike.

The start/finish area is at the Telegraph Road Pavilion, located a short distance past the park’s visitor center, within a half mile of the entrance to the park off of Joplin Road near I-95.

The course is a lollipop format with two on-trail aid stations (Mawavi Road and Turkey Run Education Center) along with the Start/Finish aid station. It will be well-marked; in fact, we’ve been told it’s one of the best-marked courses runners have seen!

Thank you to Zach Weinberger for providing updated .gpx files for both distances!

• pbj-25k.gpx
• pbj-50k.gpx

This competition may be free but our aid stations are top-notch! While we do ask runners to bring one donated food or drink item (assigned before the day of the event), our volunteers often treat runners with home-cooked meals and snacks to fuel your run. It’s a special atmosphere that will keep you running strong and reach your goals.

Competition Distances & Cut-Offs

Both loops are the same; you should print out and bring with you the marked map, and the simple turn directions. Bear in mind, even though the course will be marked with blue ribbons, you should do your homework, and make yourself aware of the general nature of the course and the trails used for the PB&J 50k.

The details

• Both competitions will start at 8 AM.
• Pre-event briefing will start at around 7:50 AM, so arrive and prepare early.
• The briefing will be held at the start line (on the pavement adjacent to the large shelter at Telegraph Road).
• The course will be marked.
• There will be two aid stations located on the course.
• There will be an additional mid-way aid station set up at the start/finish.
• You may bring a zip-lock bag of personal food for each aid station (this may not be returned - food only).
• Finish line food will be provided.
• Rest rooms at the start/finish, and at the second aid station.

Entry

Competition Registration

Entry opens a few weeks before the event date (usually early to mid September). There is no formal entry fee - this is a “Fat Ass” event. That said, you will be asked to bring one aid station item as “tribute” for use in the common aid at the event.

Only a total of 110 runners will be participating. The competitions have filled to capacity most years, so keep an eye out for registration!

Park entry

You will need to pay the park entrance fee ($20 per vehicle) at the Visitor’s Center at Pine Grove. If you have a National Park pass, you can display that in lieu of making day visitor payment. The booth will not be manned pre-event, but a ranger will likely be there as you leave after your run.

Volunteers

Volunteers are the life-blood of any running event, and the PB&J is no different! If you are not planning to run, then we hope you will carve out a part of your weekend to come help out your fellow runners. Or if you are planning to run, but plan on bringing someone out with you, perhaps they can help while you run?

Click here to volunteer!

Why the “PB&J 50K”?

The name of the event is an homage to the late, great training run series hosted on local NoVa trails by Toni Becerra and Jo Leigh Lochner. The intent of this event is to provide an organized trail competition on a relatively easy course in the DC area, and also to provide a great supported training run opportunity on some rolling, non-technical trails.