Join a bunch of fun-loving people who are as crazy as you are for the 3H Trail Half Marathon and Dahlgren Heritage Rail Trail 50K! Sure, these races are held in August. In Virginia. That’s the sizzling bonus challenge you’ll find at this race! All runners will receive a tank top or t-shirt (your choice!) and a finisher’s medal.
The race courses are beautiful, scenic out and back courses on a mostly flat, smooth rails-to-trails course. There are roots and bog boards in sections of the course – use extra caution in these areas.
Cash prizes, great competition, good food, and awesome swag all make this a memorable event. There is a 4-hour time limit for the half marathon and an 8-hour time limit for the 50K – runners and walkers are welcome!
Course Description
The race is run almost entirely on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail which is a converted railroad bed and provides solid footing with little or no roots. This trail is flat, smooth, and fast with a variety of surfaces ranging from dirt, gravel, grass, and pine needles.
Both races start and end in the parking lot of UMW-Dahlgren. You’ll have a quick jaunt from the parking lot to the connector trail that will lead you to the DRHT. Once you venture west on the trail, you’ll run to your turnaround locations before heading back East towards the finish line.
Elevation: Fairly flat with some gradual inclines and declines. Thankfully trains don’t like steep hills.
The trees along the trail ensure almost 100% shade during the run.
About the Trail
The 16 mile Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail follows the route of the old Dahlgren Branch rail line, stretching across King George County just south of the Potomac River in Virginia’s Northern Neck. The trail is open for walking, running, cycling and other recreational non-motorized uses while preserving 240 acres of wildlife and natural beauty.
The Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit group that is volunteer-based and works to develop, preserve, and maintain this historic rail-to-trail greenway.
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Definitely a must do
Really enjoyed this race. We lucked out big time on the weather. Organization and communication was great. Afterwards they had beer and someone grilling burgers! My only complaint (and it's … MORE
Really enjoyed this race. We lucked out big time on the weather. Organization and communication was great. Afterwards they had beer and someone grilling burgers! My only complaint (and it’s little) is I wish they had mile marker signs. Such nice people volunteering on the course. Fun to do out and back and have people cheering you on.