The Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon is a popular annual event that takes runners on a scenic journey through the beautiful Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, Virginia. This flat, out-and-back course along the Bright Hope Trail offers a unique and challenging experience for runners of all levels.
The Route
The Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon course is primarily on the Bright Hope Trail, a mix of dirt and pine needles that provides a softer and more natural running surface. The route features some minor hills, but overall, it is considered a flat and fast course. The half-marathon is an out-and-back course, with a detour at the beginning.
Walkers and Strollers
The Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon welcomes walkers and strollers to participate in the event. This makes it an accessible and inclusive race for runners and non-runners alike.
Location and Parking
The race takes place in Pocahontas State Park, located in Chesterfield, Virginia, with a zip code of 23832. Parking is available within the Bright Hope Area, across from the main entrance to the park. The GPS coordinates for the parking location are 37.359645, -77.572968.
Registration Fees and Start Times
The registration fees for the Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon are as follows:
| Event | Early Bird (until Nov 30) | Regular (after Nov 30) | Race Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5k | $35 | $40 | $45 |
| 10k | $55 | $60 | $65 |
| Half Marathon | $70 | $75 | $80 |
The start times for the different events are:
- Half Marathon: 9:00 am (with a time limit of 3:15 for completion)
- 10k: 9:15 am
- 5k: 9:30 am
Packet Pickup and Amenities
Packet pickup is available at the event, one hour before the race starts. Restrooms are located at the end of the parking lot, and there are 10 water stations along the half-marathon course, 4 along the 10k course, and 2 along the 5k course. Gatorade is available at some of the water stations.
Finisher Medals and Shirts
All participants receive a technical event shirt and a finisher’s medal. T-shirts are guaranteed to runners registered before December 4, and medals are available for all finishers.
Charity and Awards
The Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon is in partnership with Operation Turbo, which supports the “Boxes of Home” charity. Awards are given to the top 3 men and women overall, as well as the top male and female in various age categories.
Virtual Option and Series Points
A virtual run option is available for those who cannot attend the race in person. Participants will receive a medal. Points from the race also count towards the Year-Long 5k, 10k, Endurance, and Back of the Pack Series, as well as the Fall Series.
Additional Information
- Course maps can be found on the event website.
- Live results will be posted on Athlinks.com, and a QR code will be available at the race for immediate results.
- Photos taken by staff will be posted on the event’s Facebook page by Tuesday after the event.
- A social media challenge is available, where participants can tag the event in their race photos on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to win 50% off a future race.
- The full refund and transfer policy, as well as the weather policy, can be found on the event website.
- Volunteers should arrive 60 minutes before the first race and will be assigned tasks on race morning.
- A survey is available for participants to provide feedback on their race experience.
- A video of the course terrain is available on the event website.
- Runners with a pace near or above three hours can arrange an earlier start time by contacting the event organizers.
The Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon is a must-attend event for runners and outdoor enthusiasts looking for a scenic and challenging trail run in a beautiful state park setting. With its flat course, welcoming atmosphere, and variety of distances, it’s an event that caters to runners of all levels.
Reference:
– Pocahontas State Park Half Marathon Website