James River Trail Runs
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Event overview
The James River Trail Runs take place on April 11, 2026, at James River State Park in Gladstone, VA (104 Green Hill Drive). The 2026 edition is the fourth running of the event. Multiple race formats are offered, with registration closing on April 10. The event uses a 10 mile loop format with a 16 hour cutoff for all distances. The 10 miler is part of the Virginia State Park Adventure Series.
Course and categories
The course is a 10 mile loop. It includes about 1,025 feet of climbing per loop and roughly 5,000 feet of climbing for the 50 mile distance. The loop features single- and double-track trails with climbing and descending in the first 5 miles, about 3.5 miles that run parallel to the Historic James River and are generally flat, and a final 0.5 mile steep climb back to the loop start.
Distances offered:
- 10 mile (day and night)
- 50k (includes hiker and 3-person relay options)
- 50 mile (solo and relay)
Additional details: hiker categories are available for the 50k and 10 mile, gluten-free options will be available at aid stations, certain service personnel receive a discount, group discounts are offered, deferrals are possible for injury or COVID with prior arrangement, and refunds are not offered. Runners who complete whole loops receive official times for the corresponding distance; drop-downs are not eligible for top-3 awards. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
