Run America’s most spectacular rail trail! The Chessie Nature Trail was voted one of the nation’s top three recreational trails in 2023 & 2024. Situated at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, the seven-mile Chessie Nature Trail parallels the scenic Maury River and connects historic Lexington, Virginia, with the boom-town community of Buena Vista. The smooth, flat, and fast, gravel and grass trail runs along the former Chesapeake and Ohio rail line and parts of the earlier James and Kanawha Canal towpath.
You’ll run 26.2 miles without ever having to cross a road, jump a curb, or pound your knees on concrete and asphalt. You’ll glide through an ever-changing landscape along the wild Maury River, through farmland and leafy canopies at their peak of fall color, past ruins of massive stone locks and dams. View wildlife from fish and ducks to rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, river otters, and even bald eagles (if you are lucky), feel the cool moist air as you pass small caves, and enjoy the serenity of a breeze rustling through a bamboo forest. A corps of the most dedicated and friendly volunteers you’ll ever meet has been working for 12 months to provide you with an unforgettable running experience and will cheer you on and provide support throughout the race.
This event is sanctioned by USATF and all four race courses are USATF certified. The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
Marathon runners will get to see the whole trail twice. You will be amazed at how the landscape changes as the sun comes over the cliffs transforming the narrow valley and the sparkling river at its bottom. Spectators will agree that this is the best marathon course ever as they cheer on their loved ones five times without ever having to leave the park-like setting of the start/finish area. And while we certainly hope this doesn’t happen, if you have to change your marathon run to a half marathon or ¾ marathon, you won’t have to worry about hitchhiking back to your car. Ideal for the first-time marathoner! USATF Certification VA22005DJR.
Half Marathon runners will see nearly all of the trail as they head east towards Buena Vista, loop back to the starting line on the way to Lexington, and then loop back down to the finish line. USATF Certification VA22004DJR.
10K runners will head towards Buena Vista first, turning back just after South River, then continue past the starting line towards Lexington, turning once more and running the final 2.5K downhill to the start/finish line. USATF Certification VA22003DJR.
5K runners will head towards Lexington, running along remote sections of the Maury River through forests and fields, and at the base of towering limestone cliffs. When the river bends into a double horseshoe, they will loop back for a slightly downhill finish. USATF Certification VA22002DJR.
26.2 Relay runners will follow the same course as the Marathon. There will be four legs to the relay of approximately 8.5m, 4.6m, 8.5m, and 4.6m. Runners may run more than one leg for their team. Each team will be issued a standard aluminum relay baton, which they will be required to carry on their bodies for the entire race. All exchanges will take place at the start/finish area. Teams are encouraged to decorate their baton with their team colors, logo, etc. The winning team in each division will be awarded a trophy. Winners will be determined by first across the finish line (not chip time). There will be three divisions, all female, all male, and mixed gender. Relay team captains will be required to pay the registration fee for the team and set up a team name and password so that other team members may enter their information on the registration website.
Walkers are welcome in the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.
Full Marathon registration includes custom finisher swag (your choice of embroidered hat, custom socks, or custom neck gaiter), long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.
Half Marathon registration includes a long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture top wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.
10K & 5K runners will receive a short sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks following the race.
Marathon Relay registration includes, long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all team members, trophies for the winners of each division, and post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.
There is plenty of free parking near the start and plenty of other activities to make a weekend of it in the most beautiful part of Virginia! Registration for each race is limited, so register now to ensure your spot.
Virtual Option: There will be a Virtual Option for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races. Amenities for the virtual races will include t-shirt, medal, race sticker, online finisher certificate and posted results. Amenities will be mailed to the participant. Virtual runners will not be eligible for awards.
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Flat course and well run event
This course is flat! It is 2 segments that are out and back. One is about 4 miles, the other 2. If you do the full marathon, you will do … MORE
This course is flat! It is 2 segments that are out and back. One is about 4 miles, the other 2. If you do the full marathon, you will do each segment twice. I picked up this race as one of my 50 states since I was more or less in the area running Marshall University Marathon the next day. I feel the race coordinators did a good job letting people know what to expect of the course (out and backs are not exciting, especially when you do it twice), the volunteers were great, and the aid stations had water, gatorade, and some fruit. This is a trail race (felt like a rails to trails line), so there will not be a lot spectators cheering along the way.
One of my favorites
Lots to like about the Chessie Trail Marathon. Pre-race communication was good, packet pickup the afternoon before was well staffed, and also available the morning of. The course is scenic, … MORE
Lots to like about the Chessie Trail Marathon. Pre-race communication was good, packet pickup the afternoon before was well staffed, and also available the morning of. The course is scenic, and I liked how it was 2 out and back segments, done twice (start/finish is in the middle of a line). The longer segment was the first/third, so the last segment was almost a victory lap type feeling and you got to see the other runners (half too) multiple times, very friendly atmosphere. Total ascent was 292 ft on my watch. The weather was almost perfect, clear and 24 at the 8:00 start, and mid 60s by noon.
Aid stations were well spaced, well staffed, and had water, sports drink, and fruit. The swag was what I consider great, distance specific ribbons on the medal, a hat for marathon finishers that was distance specific, and distance specific shirts featuring the current year’s Chessie Trail inhabitant; 2023 was an anatomically correct squirrel 🙂
I was back of the pack and aid stations stayed stocked and staffed. I am including a pic of the food table at the start/finish.
Lexington VA also is a nice place to visit, the old city where packet pickup was has many good restaurants and things to see.
Fun, Flat, Friendly, and Cows
While you're enjoying the great scenery, watch your step in the open range. Curious cows may leave some obstacles on the trail, but that's the only thing to worry about … MORE
While you’re enjoying the great scenery, watch your step in the open range. Curious cows may leave some obstacles on the trail, but that’s the only thing to worry about in this little race. It made me feel like a bunch of friends and neighbors organized a race and did a great job. It’s on a dirt trail in the woods that’s a little rough and rocky in a couple of sections, pretty smooth most of the way, and being on a retired railroad line next to a river, it’s flat. Really flat. I appreciated the great support from the race crew, spectators, and fellow runners. Parking was a little hectic because the race is on the verge of outgrowing the available space. In addition to the usual shirt and medal, I also got a very nice hat. Good snacks and pizza at the finish, too.
This race was a perfect fit for my preference to run smaller, lesser-known marathons on my 50-state journey. Put this one on your calendar.
A great race to run!
10/10 would recommend this race if you’re looking for a speedy scenic run on a well-groomed surface. I did the marathon relay for the second year in a row this … MORE
10/10 would recommend this race if you’re looking for a speedy scenic run on a well-groomed surface. I did the marathon relay for the second year in a row this year—it’s lots of fun to be out there with your teammates! Race day is very well organized, and there are great amenities both at the start/finish and at aid stations along the course.
Scenic local race worth traveling for
I have wanted to do this race for awhile since I am in Lexington often to see my daughter at W&L. Once you register, book your lodging ASAP because it … MORE
I have wanted to do this race for awhile since I am in Lexington often to see my daughter at W&L. Once you register, book your lodging ASAP because it is very limited. Packet pickup was easy and race day logistics were minimal. The trail was somewhat muddy from heavy rains the night before. Race conditions were pretty close to perfect, though, despite the mud. Cool start at about 46 degrees and overcast. By the end of the race it was sunny and high 50s so really awesome weather. Most of the runners are local or from Virginia but I thought it was worth traveling to do it. The course runs along the Maury river and through pastures so it is very scenic. I hit mile 13 and didn’t even realize I was almost finished. The marathon is the same loop twice, which really wouldn’t have been that bad. Technical long sleeved shirts in unisex sizes were ok. Would have liked women’s sizes. But really no complaints for a local race. I would do it again if I was going to be in the area.