Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run (Draft)

Save $5 and get early, reserved entry by committing to the full King George Trail Series! We are honored to be invited by Arsenal Events to be part of the King George Trail Series again this year. Sign up for all three races and you'll get $5 off each and some extra Trail Series swag. 

• Dahlgren Trail Half Marathon - 2/15/25
• Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run - 4/5/25
• 3H Trail Half Marathon (or 50K) - 8/2/25

Here's how... From 11/10 - 26, follow the links above to sign up for the other 2 races. During checkout, select the Sheetz-to-Sheetz add-on and you'll receive a reserved entry link allowing you then to register for Sheetz-to-Sheetz 11/27-28 at a $5 discount before registration opens to the public. You must complete the registration process by 12/15.

We strive to keep the Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run as affordable as possible with entry fees at or below that of comparable-distance events and shirts being an optional add-on. Still, the price of admission may be out of reach for some. The Sheetz-to-Sheetz Runner Assistance Program matches donated race entries (bib only) with qualified, motivated runners, enabling them to run for free. To be eligible for consideration, runners must fall into one of two groups:

1. Anyone who otherwise would not be able to participate due to financial hardship; or
2. High school runners (age 15+).

To apply, fill out the form available here. Applications will be accepted November 20-27 with notifications going out November 28th (Thanksgiving). For additional details, please see our FAQs page.

We offer three convenient choices for packet pickup (2 pre-race, 1 race day) where you will receive your bib, shirt (if ordered) and sponsor bag of goodies.  You will not receive your SpeedCup yet -- those will be distributed on race day when you check in. You will also not receive your finisher mug or finisher bag -- you have to earn those on race day and collect them at the finish line.  Our signature finisher mug takes the place of a finisher medal, only cooler and far more practical.  But we digress...  Packet pickup dates:

• Thursday, April 3, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ Lucky Road Run Shop (1865 Carl D. Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA)
  Give-away: A valuable Lucky Road store coupon!
• Friday, April 4, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. @ the FINISH line Sheetz in Dahlgren (17188 Owens Drive, King George, VA, within a half-mile of several hotels)
  Give-away: Coupon for a free coffee or fountain drink! 
• Saturday, April 5, 6:30 - 7:50 a.m. @ the START line Sheetz near KGHS (8206 Kings Highway, King George, VA - not the parking/shuttle area)
  If you opt for race-day packet pickup and are arriving by shuttle bus from event parking (a 20-minute ride), you must plan accordingly and take an early bus to allow time for transport, check-in, restroom break, bag check, etc..
   

You may pick up packets for others after showing your ID.

Remember this is a point-to-point race from the King George High School Sheetz to the Dahlgren Sheetz.

All participants are asked to park at the King George Gateway Shopping Center (16435 Merchants Ln, King George, VA) adjacent to the FINISH line in Dahlgren.  Shuttle buses provided by King George County Schools will transport runners to the start line starting at 6:30 a.m. with the last bus leaving the parking lot promptly at 7:30 a.m. The race starts at 8:00 a.m., so be sure to allow time for transportation to the start line (approximately 20 minutes), packet pickup (if needed), check in, bag drop, bathroom breaks, etc. -- all available at the START line, not the parking area. When you finish, you can hang out at the finish store then simply walk a quarter mile or take the Bayside Ford courtesy shuttle to the parking area and adjacent restaurants, hotels, and shops. Alternatively, you can always arrange your own transportation and park at King George Middle School.  Either way, please do not park at either Sheetz store or O’Reilly Auto Parts.

6:30 - 7:30 a.m. : KGCS shuttle service (KG Gateway Shopping Center, 16435 Merchants Ln, King George, VA)
    >>> Last departure at 7:30 a.m. sharp - don't be late!
6:30 - 8:00 : Race Day Packet Pickup (O'Reilly Auto Parts next to start line Sheetz)
6:30 - 8:00 : Race Day Check-In and SpeedCup Pickup (O'Reilly Auto Parts next to start line Sheetz)  
7:00 - 8:00 : Bag Drop (O'Reilly Auto Parts)
7:40 : Opening Prayer (front of start line)
7:50 : Live performance by Chris Reinhardt, "I'm Gonna Be" (front of start line)
7:55 : Special presentation (front of start line)
7:58 : National Anthem
8:00 - 8:08 : Starting waves released
9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. : Bag Drop (finish line Sheetz)
10:00 - 12:00 - Raffle drawings (finish line Sheetz)
12:30 p.m. : Race cut-off, event ends

In an effort to reduce waste and lessen our race footprint, the Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run is a cupless race. Single-use cups and bottles will not be provided at aid stations for water or Tailwind. Instead, participants will receive a collapsible, lightweight, and easy-to-carry HydraPak SpeedCup at race day check-in for use during and after the race. Don't worry, we'll take steps to ensure hydration is efficiently distributed to your SpeedCup at all aid stations. Of course, you're always welcome to carry your own hydration. By going cupless, we are eliminating over 1,200 cups per year and doing our part to keep our trails beautiful.

For finishing most races you earn a medal you can't do anything with. Boring!  Finish the Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run and you'll earn great, practical swag including a Sheetz stainless steel insulated travel mug, custom sweat towel (not shown), vouchers for a free Made-To-Order (MTO) Sheetz food and drink item, and snacks.  Heck, we'll even fill your fancy new mug with free coffee at the finish line and feed you fresh fruit, doughnuts, and other treats! But wait, there's more! You'll also get a reusable HydraPak SpeedCup and a drawstring bag (not shown) to carry it all in!

(Mug shown is for illustration purposes only. The exact style and colors are TBD.)

A free bag drop service courtesy of Bayside Ford will be available to transport any belongings you don't wish to carry with you on your 14-mile trek (e.g., extra clothes, race packet, etc.).  Look for the Bag Drop flag at the start line from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. and at the finish line from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  If needed, we'll have bags available and tags for writing your bib number.

Our 14-mile course starts at the King George High School (KGHS) Sheetz (Store #573, 8206 Kings Highway) and ends at the Dahlgren Sheetz (Store #259, 17188 Owens Drive). The King George Sheriff's Office will escort us the first 1.4 miles westward along Route 3 and Comorn Road (Route 609). Then we'll hang a right and go off-road for the final 12.6 miles along the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT). This rails-to-trail is flat, straight, and well-marked with a surface varying from dirt to gravel. It meanders through farmland and wetlands and crosses a few country roads along the way to Dahlgren. We'll have 4 aid stations along the way:

• Mile 3.14 (pi): Pie and water
• Mile 6.2 (campsite): S’mores, Peeps, fruit, cereal bars, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, water, Tailwind, and two toilets
• Mile 10.2 (Panorama): Fruit snacks, water
• Mile 12.5 (Little Ark Baptist Church): Water, soft pretzel nuggets, and a toilet

The start line will feature fruit, cereal bars, water, and Tailwind. The finish line (Mile 14.0) will feature all that plus Sheetz doughnuts.

Summing up the event in one tidy graphic...  Click thumbnail to expand.

This is an untimed fun run so we encourage everyone to take their time and enjoy the trail, aid stations, and overall experience. However, we also realize it can be a training run for competitive runners. For those who do make it a race, we'll offer the top male and female finishers (overall and Masters 50+) a $75 gift certificate to Lucky Road Run Shop (multiple locations in Richmond and Fredericksburg) AND a $75 gift certificate to Highmark Brewery (with locations in Fredericksburg and King George). Each will also earn a cool custom trophy.

We're proud to bring back our Charity Raffle for 2025 with all proceeds benefiting local children via our primary charity partner, Sheetz-for-the-Kidz.  Each registered runner will automatically have free one raffle ticket entered in the drawing. Support local children and greatly increase your odds of winning a great prize by buying additional tickets for $1 each during registration or at any time in our online store. Non-participants can also buy tickets directly from our online store through April 2nd. Our fantastic prize packs include:

(NOTE: THESE ARE THE EXPECTED PRIZES BASED UPON PAST YEARS)

• Set of 4 tickets to see the Fredericksburg Nationals
• Full car detail from Bayside Ford
• Sheetz prize pack to include a $25 Sheetz gift card, coffee and snacks
• $50 gift certificate to any Lucky Road Run Shop location in Richmond or Fredericksburg
• Sonicare smart electric toothbrush from Dr. Richard Cottrell, DDS, and Associates
• $100 gift certificate to Highmark Brewery
• Sheetz-to-Sheetz prize pack to include a free entry to the 2026 event and a collection of logo merch
• $50 gift certificate for gear at HydraPak.com

We get it - things happen. While we cannot offer refunds, we do offer three options to help in these situations:

1. Independent Race Insurance - Offered during registration for a modest fee, race insurance can insure a refund of race entry costs for a variety of circumstances. Please note this service is offered by a third party, and neither the race nor RunSignup are involved in any way whatsoever with claims, questions or refunds.
2. Transfers - Runner-initiated transfers are allowed up until race week. You receive a full refund on the race entry but need to find and coordinate with another runner to transfer to. See the separate "Transfers" section below for more details.
3. Deferrals - If you don't want to bother with the transfer portal, you may defer your registration for one year for a small fee ($20). You will receive a unique coupon code or reserved entry link for next year's race. To allow time to offer the deferred entry to the wait list, this option is only available up until three weeks before race day. Only race entries are deferred - not add-ons (i.e., race shirt) or store purchases.

You can transfer your bib to another runner and receive a full refund up until race week. Participant-to-participant transfers for refund must be initiated in RunSignup by 3/28/25 and completed by 3/30/25. See RunSignup for transfer instructions. The race staff is unable to play matchmaker and instead will post to social media to encourage those wishing to give or receive bibs to meet via the post comments. 

Additional notes:

• The person giving up the bib receives a full refund of the race entry from RunSignup based on their sign-up price. The person receiving the bib pays the current race price which gradually increases as race day approaches.
• Race shirts are an optional add-on during the registration process. The shirt order will be finalized February 15th and cannot be changed. 
  • For transfers completed by 2/15/25: If the original bib holder ordered a shirt and wishes to cancel the shirt order and receive a refund, he/she will need to edit their race entry via RunSignup to remove the shirt. (Instructions) The runner transferring in will have the same option of ordering a shirt during the registration process. 
  • For transfers NOT completed by 2/15/25: If the original bib holder ordered a shirt, the purchase cannot be cancelled or refunded as the race has already ordered and paid for the shirt. The original bib holder can pick up the shirt at any packet pickup or at the finish line on race day. Alternatively, the original bib holder may contact the race to arrange shipping (for modest postage fee). Any shirts not claimed by the end of the event will be forfeited. The runner transferring in will not have an opportunity to order a shirt. However, a limited selection of shirts will be available for purchase at the finish line.
• The automatic raffle ticket entry transfers to the new entrant. Any raffle ticket entries purchased separately by the original bib holder will remain in their name in the drawing.
• Per policy, the wait list is used exclusively to fill unclaimed sponsor spots and deferrals. It is not used for transfers as that process is completely between participants.