Virginia Adventures LLC

01/03/2025

On the 9th Day of Christmas we stay at James River. Our 9th place female 50 mile finisher was Penny Williams (second blurry picture because she was running so fast. Penny finished the 50 miler at the age of 72. Coming in just before her was Chris Cullen at the age of 63. This is a great race for people of all ages because of our no DNF policy. And if you were out there at night you were treated to an amazing night sky with stars.

James River State Park is an International Dark Sky Park, which makes it a great place to bring the family and camp when you run.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116508

01/02/2025

On the 8th Day of Christmas we look at James River. 8 of the top 25 times were from women in the 10 Miler. And we had an almost even split of participants (27 males and 25 females). The 10 Miler will be part of the Virginia is State Parks Adventure Series once again. Our no DNF options for the 50k and 50 Miler have been great options. That means if you finish one loop and can’t do the rest, you still count as a finisher.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116508

01/01/2025

Happy New Years!

On the 7th Day of Christmas we remain at Night Train. This was our 7th year of the race. It was also the first year that we had more half marathon finishers (128) versus 50k finishers (122). I do think that the heat had something to do with that as we normally have 20-30 more people registered for the 50k than the half.

I am excited for year 8. I think our changes of starting the race later at night and moving it a week earlier will help make it a better event. Allowing in race drop downs from the 50k to the half will also be appreciated!

I think 2025 will be the best year yet!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118147

12/31/2024

On the 6th Day of Christmas we head out to High Bridge for our most popular race. Despite extremely hot conditions, we had 6 runners complete the 50k in under 5 hours. Tyerell Hughes, Erick Kuhlmann, Anthony Wind, Jeff Savage, Peter Brandt and David Stoudt all finished under 5 hours. On the hottest day of the year, that is an accomplishment.

Night Train has remained our signature event since 2017. The uniqueness of running through a small town at night and finishing over the bridge make it extremely popular. 2025 looks to be no different.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118147

12/30/2024

On the 5th Day of Christmas we shift to our Pawpaw festival. This year, we added the 5 mile option and shifted the race into the Pawpaw Festival. The shorter mileage choice and integration into the festival proved to be very popular. This race will become a staple of the fall running calendar. We anticipate having registration open in the next month or so. We will see you on September 20th!

12/29/2024

On the 4th Day of Christmas we look at the timing aspect of Virginia Adventures. Since 2019, I have times all my events (excluding Willis River) with a Race Result timing system. In 2023, I started offering live updates and an onsite display.

In 2024, I timed 4 events in addition my own events. Because of the live results, QR codes and television monitor, my display works great for fixed time events. I timed the Greensprings 24, Tideland 24, Windsor Castle 10 Hour and Rehab Rover Canicross 10k.

I would love to add more events to the calendar next year. Contact me if you know an event that needs timing services.

https://virginiaadventures.com/policies/

12/28/2024

On the 3rd Day of Christmas we look at Willis River. Last year, due to a huge rainfall overnight, the course was incredibly challenging. We had 3 individuals finish the 50k in under 7 hours. Alex Shtogren, Nicholas Pierce and Gabriel Lewis all came in under 7 hours.

This race is easily our most challenging event. Yet it has taken on a tradition as a popular early season training run. It is best run with friends. As a fat ass, runners bring the food and enthusiasm.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118216

12/27/2024

On the 2nd day of Christmas we celebrate year 2 of the Parent Loop concept. This was an idea by my 10 year old son to get parents and children out on the trails. We offer this at both Piedmont and Dogwood. Some of my favorite memories this year have been watching 2 and 3 generations of family members cross the finish line together. Initially, this was an idea to celebrate our 10th year. But it has become so popular it’s not going anywhere. Grab some family members and get signed up!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

12/26/2024

On the 1st Day of Christmas this year we had 1 Guinness Book of World Records holder. William Thornton holds the record for most Ultras by a male in 1 month with 10. He ran 3 of them at Dogwood. The first day of the 48 hour he ran a 50k (in good weather). The. He ran another 50k during the 24 hour in the rain and mud. Then he ran his final one during the night 12 hour. Congratulations William!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

12/25/2024

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas to every runner, family member, volunteer and community member out there! You have made this our best year ever. I am grateful that so many of you continue to choose to run with us. May Santa bring you lots of adventures and running gear in your stockings!

12/23/2024

2024 has been our best year ever.

Freight Train saw record numbers of participants in the 50k and 100k. Night Train had 350 runners, our biggest event ever despite near 100 degree heat. Dogwood also saw a record number of participants (which we are on track to break in 2025). James River, Piedmont, Pawpaw and Willis River all had big number as well.

None of this happens without you as runners and volunteers. To say thanks, on Christmas Day, we will hold a drawing. We will pick two volunteers who have helped this year at random and send them a gift curated by Luz Pulskamp.

On December 26th, we will kick off our 12 Days of Christmas year in review that has been so popular the last 2 years.

So don’t forget to get those Dogwood, James River and Night Train registrations in!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116508

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118147

12/22/2024

Since 2018 some of our events have been part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series. This unique series rewards participants for completing events in different state parks. We had 4 events in the series last year. We will have those same 4 again in 2025.

The 10 Miler at Dogwood gives runners an early chance to score some points. They will stretch their legs at the 50k at James River (the longest run in the series). Then the Night Train Half in June and the 10 Miler at Pawpaw. This has been a great partnership with the parks.

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/adventure-series

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118147

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116508

12/21/2024

Let’s talk about Gluten

We have spent the last two days at Legoland in Florida. The kids have been in heaven. It is a really family friendly event. One of the nicest things about it is that all of the food shacks in the park offer a gluten free menu on demand. My son has been gluten free for the last 18 months and it certainly creates some travel challenges.

I have added a question to all of our page registrations for Gluten Free. I will check those numbers when I buy foods for a race. I will purchase gluten options like almond tortillas, gluten free cookies and the like. You will then just need to ask for that at the aid station. My volunteers will take care of you.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118147

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116508

12/20/2024

Last year at Dogwood we had 13 runners earn 100 Mile buckles. That was a big dream for me as I took the race to. 48 hour event versus the 24 and 36 hour it was before. Previously we had given 3 buckles on our best year. We also saw a number of PR’s. The 24 and 48 hour look to be the most popular again this year. Get in before prices go up on January 1st!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

12/18/2024

Between December 30th and January 2nd I will be out marking the Willis River. If you need some miles and want to help, please let me know. It takes me at least 2 days to mark solo. But it can be done in a single day with more than 1 person. I would give race credits to anyone helping. Day of the week is flexible. Respond below or shoot an email to [email protected].

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=118216

12/16/2024

Prices for Dogwood go up on January 1st

This will be our 10th anniversary of the race. I have some special changes in store!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=116769

12/13/2024

2024 was the first year we gave out Grandmaster awards at Night Train and Freight Train. Ram Kumar Pai (33rd overall) and Vicky Bentley-Condit (39th overall) were our Grandmaster awardees in the 50k. State Parks employee Tim Shrader (12 overall) and Sandy Henderson (15th Overall) took the awards in the half marathon. John Soscia (15th overall) took the award in the 100k. In addition to this, we had a number of runners in their 50’s earn spots on the podium.