Dismal Swamp 50K
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About the race
The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp event on December 6, 2026 takes place at the rest stop at mile post 4 in the Dismal Swamp, Chesapeake, VA. It includes multiple race options on USATF certified courses and post-race amenities and awards.
Distances offered:
- 50K
- 50K Relay
- Marathon (26.2 miles)
- Marathon Walk
- Marathon Wheeled Athletes
- Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Half Marathon Walkers
- Half Marathon Wheeled Athletes
Course details: the 50K is an out-and-back of 3.88 miles each way completed in four loops. The marathon course uses a 6.55 mile out-and-back segment completed in two loops for the marathon and one loop for the half marathon. Both the 50K and the marathon/half marathon courses are USATF certified.
Aid and on-course support: there is one full aid station at the start/finish after every loop offering food, water, and nutrition drinks. Manned water stations are set up for the marathon; marathon runners pass water stations multiple times and half marathon runners pass several times. An unmanned water station will be available near the 50K turnaround when marathon stations are removed.
Amenities and awards: finishers receive a medal, 50K finishers receive a hoodie, marathon and half marathon finishers receive a long sleeve shirt, and Boston qualifiers receive a BQ shirt. A beer garden and pizza will be available post-race. Awards are given to top overall male and female finishers and to top age-group finishers as specified for each distance.
Packet pickup is available pre-race at Running Etc VB on December 5 and on race day at the start line. Relay teams may include two to four members and should register under a team name. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
