Virginia Adventures LLC

02/24/2025

The Pawpaw 10 Miler originally started as a standalone 10 mile race with Piedmont. Then, because the park was turning 10, they asked us to hold it as an anniversary event instead. Last year, we integrated into the Pawpaw Festival. If you want a great event and day for the family, this is it! You have a 10 mile or 5 mile option. Each are hiker friendly. Then the family can go have fun at the festival! This will also be part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124310

02/22/2025

Last year, after watching Amy Foster hike a 50k at Dogwood in the pouring rain and Jodie Potts and Alissa Genovese be all smiles hiking a 50k at James River I added the hiker categories.

The hiker categories at Dogwood and James River are meant to welcome people of all speeds to our events. It should be particularly inviting to youth, those recovering from injury and those who would rather slow down and smell the roses.

As we like to say, “Speed is not a prerequisite for trail running; determination is.”

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

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124454

02/21/2025

Each year, we pick a couple of areas of our operations and upgrade them. In 2023, we upgraded our website and added videos. In 2024, we added online tracking and QR codes.

In 2025, we are excited to be adding the Ubidium Race Result timing system. This is the most state of the art timing system on the market today. It will make my life as a timer a lot easier.

Secondly, we will be unveiling some new social media approaches in the coming months. That is another goal of our for social media.

Need timing for a race? Get in touch with me. I would love to time your event! Or go get registered for one of ours.

https://www.raceresult.com/en-us/systems/ubidium

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

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122923

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

02/20/2025

Don’t forget to get register for Dogwood before shirt orders go in Monday!

02/20/2025

02/19/2025

Shirt orders for Dogwood go in Monday morning. We have a good sized group of 24 and 48 hour runners! Plus more 12 Hour Night runners than we have ever had! Come test your limits on March 21-23rd! I am allowing 10 Mile registrants to run during the day or night depending on their schedule needs.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124454

02/18/2025

“Hey you’re a race director! Don’t you direct that Night Train race?”

This was the response I got at the Aravaipa timing tent when I asked for a lap count this weekend.

Since its first year, Night Train has been our signature race. I expect this year to be no different. We are investing in new swag for this year. This is a great race to bring a group out to run. Contact me if you have 5 or more folks running!

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

02/17/2025

I spent today (and Friday) playing tourist around Las Vegas. Valley of Fire State Park was nice but it was raining. Red Rocks Canyon lived up to the hype! Those are the first 6 pictures.

To me, running races isn’t just about running. It’s about getting to see different places.

All of our events happen in places that have tons of history. Tourist support in the form of food, lodging and fuel purchases always help the communities we work in.

Did you know High Bridge was the site of one of the last battles of the Civil War?

Twin Lakes State Park was the site of the only state recreation facilities to serve blacks due to its setup having “separate but equal” facilities before the Civil Rights era.

Powhatan State Park is made up of old reclaimed farmland as well as near some old historic homes.

James River State Park has some of the old Kanawha Canal, an idea initially supported by George Washington. The canal proved unnecessary once trains became popular. The park is also an International Dark Sky Park, meaning stargazing is a staple out there.

All of these are great places to bring the family to play as you are out running in the woods.

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

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124454

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

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124310

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124313

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

02/16/2025

Every time I run 100 miles, I feel like I am standing at the bottom of a mountain, wondering how I am going to scale it.

Going into the Jackpot 48 Hour I had a ton of doubt. Life had gotten things really busy and I had a couple of injuries that wouldn’t resolve themselves. I promised myself I would take a mile by mile inventory of my body and stop if anything was wrong. I probably started with more self doubt than I have ever had.

Running an Ultra is like playing chess. You read the board and adjust accordingly. That is what I did for the last 33 hours. I ended up hitting 100 and stopping. Each 100 has a different story. I am so proud of the mental perseverance involved in this race.

As runners, I hope you feel like you have chances to work on that perseverance at my events.

02/14/2025

After all this rain and snow I know many people are already looking forward to Summer.

With an earlier start date and new swag, Night Train returns for year 8. Join us on June 14th at High Bridge Trail State Park!

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

02/12/2025

We are a week away from shirt orders going in for Dogwood. Women have the option of a women’s cut v-neck hoodie or the unisex long sleeve option.

I have also added a night 10 mile option for people who need to get 10 miles but have a Saturday morning conflict.

Come chase big goals with us on March 21st-23rd

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124454

02/10/2025

Can we have 30 seconds of your time?

To help celebrate our 10th Anniversary, I want to capture some of the moments and races you remember from your perspective.

We want to feature your memories. These would be short videos, 20-30 seconds in length. You would share the following things:

1. Your name
2. Favorite event (and year if possible) you have done with us
3. Favorite memory about that event

Simply respond to this post or drop me an email to [email protected]. I will get the video set up.

Anyone willing to share will receive 25% off of a race of their choice.

02/08/2025

Rounding out our Fall events is the Pawpaw 10 Mile and 5 Mile Run. The race returns on September 20th with both distances. The race again takes place during the Powhatan State Park Pawpaw Festival and is part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series.

Registration is now open for all of our 2025 events!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124310

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

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

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

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124313

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

02/07/2025

On April 10th, 2015, we had our first event. I always called the first Dogwood a beautiful failure. The event went perfectly. But we only had 13 runners because no one knew us yet.

Come join us on April 26th, as we celebrate 10 years of trail races. We will meet at Shelter 1 at Powhatan State Park. We will have an 8 mile or 4 mile fun run followed by food and prizes. We will provide the food. This is a family friendly event. Register below!

https://m.signupgenius.com/ #!/showRSVPSignUp/30E0449A9AB2AAB9-54934365-10th

02/06/2025

The Piedmont 8 Hour moves into year 11 on October 18th, 2025. One of our two original races, we return to Powhatan State Park. If you want a great trail running experience in the fall, this is it! Come run the full 8 hours, shoot for a goal or run the relay.

Registration is now open! Early bird pricing is available.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=124313

02/05/2025

Our numbers for the 48 hour and 24 hour at Dogwood are bigger than last year. That means I hope to hand out more buckles! It also means I need volunteers for this race. 48 hours is a long time for the runners out on the course. Friday during the day and the overnights are times I could really use some help. Or come out and run and then help!

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

02/04/2025

Now that we have announced our longer finish times for Freight Train, it’s time to revisit the High Bridge Challenge and Night Train.

Registering for the High Bridge Challenge automatically registers you for both Night Train and Freight Train with one click of a button. You select from a combination of distances. Our shortest option allows runners to complete the 5k in June and the half marathon in December. This is great for youth and new runners. Our biggest distance sees runners tackle the 50k in June and the 100k in December.

Can’t make both? You can still sign up for one individually.

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=122923

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

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