Good to Know

Runner safety

Bib numbers: You may wear your race number any place you want as long as it can be seen from the front at all times. Do not wear your number on your back.
Medical support: we do not provide medical support. You are responsible for your own health and safety and the cost of any emergency services you may require. Poison ivy is found throughout the course. A list of nearby medical facilities are posted here.
Headphones: headphones are not permitted for the first 17.6 miles of the course (from the start until you come back through Hemlock) and strongly discouraged after that. If you opt to use them, please be aware of your surroundings. Click here to review VHTRC’s policy on personal listening devices.
Hiking poles: the use of hiking poles during the race is discouraged as the trail can be congested. Please leave poles at home unless you need them for balance purposes on the trail.
Nutrition: runners should carry their own water and nutrition. Aid stations will supply both, but you are expected to carry enough to sustain you between aid stations. Gatorade is the on-course liquid nutrition.
Headlamps: headlamps are not needed for the entire duration of the race, but you’ll want one before the race. If you are concerned about finishing after 7:30 p.m., you may want to bring a headlamp just in case.

Cutoff times: You must depart each aid station that has a cutoff before that cutoff time to continue in the event. Our cut-offs are generous but become tighter further into the race. They allow the race to be completed in daylight. Click here to view aid station cutoff times.
Official Finishers: You must finish the race by 7:30 p.m. to be an official finisher. If you leave the Bull Run Marina aid station no later than the 6 p.m. cutoff, make steady progress, but finish after 7:30 p.m., you will receive the finishers’ award and be listed on the results. You will not receive credit for this run, however, as a finish for the purpose of a multiple finish recognition, and if you are a member of a team, it will be disqualified.

Course markings: the course will be well-marked using custom white ribbon (with blue text) to indicate the course. Double ribbons will indicate a turn. Red ribbon (with pink text) will be used to mark trails you should not enter or to alert you that you’re off the course. On a few occasions, there will be signage indicating where to go.
Drop bags: there are two locations for drop bags: (1) Hemlock Overlook (when you pass through at mile 17.6) and (2) Fountainhead Aid station (outbound at mile 28.9 and inbound at mile 37.9). Hemlock bags will stay stationary; Fountainhead bags will be transported to Fountainhead and back to Hemlock toward the end of the race. You may need to wait at Hemlock for your drop bag to return. Note: drop bags must be small and easy to transport, with your name and bib number clearly visible.
Pacers: pacers (or anyone not an entrant in the event) are not allowed to accompany runners on the trails. Family or friends may run their runner to the finish line after spotting them on the closing stretch of gravel road.
Other trail users: share the trail! You will see others using the trail on race day; be kind and courteous.

Cupless race: there will not be any cups at the aid stations. Please bring a bottle, hydration pack, or collapsible cup for hydration.
Littering: littering is strictly prohibited. Please deposit your trash and recycling at aid stations.
Bathrooms: bathrooms are available at the start/finish at Hemlock (also the mile 17 aid station), the Bluebell Loop water stop at Bull Run Regional Park, the Bull Run Marina aid station, and the Fountainhead aid station. If a need should arise outside of these locations, please bury solid waste far off the trail and away from water. Liquid waste should not be deposited near the trail or water.
Volunteers: this race would not be possible without our volunteers – be sure to thank them! Be respectful of all volunteers, park officials, and other trail users.