Virginia Adventures LLC

11/15/2025

Good luck to everyone running Richmond tomorrow!
Run your race

Have a good time

And remember…

Aid stations are always cooler out on the trails😀

See you in a few weeks

11/14/2025

Freight Train is just over 3 weeks away. I still have some volunteer vacancies that need filled. All volunteers giving at least 4 hours receive a free event equivalent to a 12 hour or shorter event. Volunteers giving at least 6 hours or a closing shift receive a free admission to any event.

Rice (Mile 8.4)
8-12
11-2

Start/Finish Line
6-10am
10-2pm
7-11pm
11pm-finish

Tuggle (mile 21/34)
10:30-2:30pm
6:30-10:30pm

Prospect (mile 40)
12-4pm

The start finish line volunteers are critical as I juggle between timing and aid station support. This is a great spot for folks who want to run the half and then support other runners.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122929

11/12/2025

Should I pick the “hiker” option or the regular option?

This is a question I get often. The truth is that most ultra runners turn into hikers during a race. But the concept of “running” an entire ultra or race is very intimidating for many trail users. For my purposes, there is no difference between the two categories. The hiker category is made to ensure users of all speeds feel welcome on a course.

We offer at least 1 “hiker option for every event we do. The 50k and Half at Freight Train are both hikable with long time limits.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=128154

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122929

11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day!

Quick Trail Talk Tuesday. Thanks for all those who served, including families who supported their service members! I spent the weekend at Band of Runners camp along with folks from Wear Blue and Team RWB. Thanks to all the organizations that continue to help us.

Finally, Freight Train shirt orders go in today.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122929

11/10/2025

Forest made a successful return to Band of Runners Camp this weekend. I believe he eclipsed his total from last year. He was able to log 45 miles with campers. That means another $450 back to Band of Runners.

We had a sizable number of Virginia and North Carolina campers. Many discovered camp through word of mouth or from one of our events.

I am excited to announce that Dogwood will be the East Coast Band of Runners race this year. You will get to meet a lot of the campers who will be running and volunteering. You will also get a chance to ask questions from coaches and previous staff.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=128154

https://www.bandofrunners.org/

11/09/2025

Each year, I am at a loss for how to describe Band of Runners trail camp. One part clinic, one part outdoor adventure camp and full time family reunion barely begins to do it justice.

I participated in camp for the first time as a camper in 2022. At the time, I wasn’t convinced I even needed to be there. I was a veteran trail runner and race director. How wrong I was. I learned so much that I have been able to apply to my events and running. But the people are what really make this special.

For the last 3 years, I have been entrusted with helping lead A Group. These are the folks who are beginning trail runners. They may never have run on a trail. These are veterans, spouses, children and siblings of other veterans. They are using the trails to develop healthy life habits or perhaps connect to their loved one. Many experienced substantial trauma and are looking for ways to navigate those waters.

This year, the camp moved from West Texas into downtown Austin. This created a different vibe on the trails but didn’t diminish the experience at all.

I think I walk away from my campers learning as much from them as they do from me. If you want heroes, they are right here. They are your neighbors who stepped up when they were needed and are now learning to navigate life, many after substantial changes. I look forward to being part of this organization for years to come.

https://www.bandofrunners.org/

11/07/2025

What’s better than 3 colors to choose from for your Freight Train finisher awards? Double the color choices!

We let Pam and Cricket at Mainly Clay decide which colors to do for our awards this year. They chose the plum, which have been our most popular. Plus they chose a bunch of others, including some two toned prizes.

Time to get registered!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122929

11/06/2025

Thank you for all the reviews and feedback via Racecheck

We have incorporated those reviews into our website for each event. You can still earn a 15% discount (with code “Review”) by leaving a review.

https://racecheck.com/races/dogwood-ultra-marathon/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/james-river-trail-runs/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/night-train-ultra-marathon/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/piedmont-8-hour-run/review/

11/05/2025

We are 1 month out from Freight Train. A lot of things are going to be happening over the next month.

1. Shirt orders go in next week on Tuesday. Shirts are our single biggest expense for this race. Registering after the shirts are ordered means that you run the risk of not having the right size available.

2. Volunteers are needed. In an unusual twist of events, my hard to staff aid stations (Tuggle and Prospect) are pretty much fully staffed. I need volunteers for the following:

A. Orchard Aid Station- this is the shortest duration aid station. It is open for 4 hours Saturday morning and only visited by 100k runners. Needs are 8-12. This location requires 2 volunteers

B. Rice- This is a very busy aid station in the morning. 100k runners visit twice and 50k runners turn around here. It is open from 8-1. This station requires 3-4 (preferably 4).

C. Half Marathon Turn Around- This is an easy station. It features limited aid only for half marathon runners. It is open from 9:30-11.

D. Start/Finish Line- I need morning, lunch, evening and night/closedown assistance. Plus 1-2 folks to assist with Friday check in.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122929

11/04/2025

11/03/2025

Last Thursday, we emailed runners and asked for Race Reviews on 4 current events. These were Night Train, Dogwood, James River and Piedmont. Since then, we have received over 70 reviews via Racecheck. The purpose of this is to place this feedback on our website. Racecheck offers an easy and comprehensive means of gathering feedback. While most of the reviews have been great, I have also received feedback that will allow me to be a better RD. I would like more reviews. Anyone completing a review may use the coupon code “Review” for 15% for any currently open event.

https://racecheck.com/races/james-river-trail-runs/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/dogwood-ultra-marathon/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/night-train-ultra-marathon/review/

https://racecheck.com/races/piedmont-8-hour-run/review/

11/02/2025

Remember that submissions of completed word searches are due tomorrow. You may tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your completed entry or email it to me at [email protected].

Xavier and I will draw the winners tomorrow evening and post the winners on Tuesday. Copies of the word search can be found below:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GnSKS3Blwp_M5HKtmS985cL94nC6Joa_