Training Runs

Join one (or all!) of our three training runs to experience the course before the big day! Runners who complete all three training runs will complete about 98.2% of the Bull Run Run course prior to race day. However, all runners are welcome to join, whether you’re in the race or not.

Please note that these runs are self-supported and the route will not be marked. There are usually enough people that you won’t be alone. Since the runs are out-and-back, you can run as much, or as little, as you’d like. The RD might bring a few treats to share along the way.

Don’t forget about other VHTRC events along the course!
There is one other free VHTRC event that is supported on the Bull Run Run course: the VHTRC’s annual Magnus Gluteus Maximus 50k (MGM 50k). This run course covers most of the final two-thirds of the BRR 50 miler course on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail and on the horse trails of Fountainhead Regional Park that are fondly referred to as the Do Loop.

Questions? Comments? Smart remarks regarding the training runs? Contact Lauren; we look forward to seeing new friends and old out on the BROT this winter!

Note: The 2026 training run dates are as follows (we’ll update the chart below soon):

BRR Training Run #1 (The South): Saturday, Jan. 26 (note: this was run out of Hemlock Overlook due to poor weather conditions)
BRR Training Run #2 (Death x Do Loop): Saturday, Feb. 14 <3
BRR Training Run #3 (The North) Saturday, Mar. 7

2026 training runs

BRR Training Run #1 (The North Turned South for 2026)

Sat Jan 24, 2026

17.25 miles

Due to poor weather conditions, we changed our Northern route to run south on the BROT out of Hemlock, covering what would’ve been run on March 7. Join us at Hemlock Overlook on March 7 to run the Northern section - in better conditions!

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Death By Do Loop

Sat Feb 21, 2026

7 miles

POSTPONED to SATURDAY, FEB. 21

Due to icy conditions on the Do Loop, we are postponing by a week. Here’s hoping warmer temps will bring us some nice trails!

Since it can be easy for the uninitiated to get lost, “Death by Do Loop” is a chance to become familiar with this section of the Bull Run Run 50 mile course, while seeing how many laps you can do.

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BRR Training Run #3 (The South Turned North)

Sat Mar 7, 2026

15.5 miles

Come out and get some easy rolling miles on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail! Starting at the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park trailhead at the end of Yates Ford Road at 8 am, this run will cover the northern section of the course that makes up the first 17 miles of the BRR 50 Miler.

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