🌲 The Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler 🦫

Presented by the =PR= Run Club

The race will kick off the Chesterfield Outdoor Fest hosted by Pocahontas State Park in partnership with Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation. After the race, come back from noon until 5 p.m. to enjoy the celebration of outdoor spaces to enjoy the beer garden, live music, food trucks, outdoor demonstrations (fishing, kayaking, SUP, rock climbing, biking, hiking, and more!). Visit Chesterfield.gov/OutdoorFest for more details.

• Location: Pocahontas State Park (Virginia’s largest state park!)

• Date: National Public Lands Day — Saturday, September 26, 2026

• Time: 8:00 AM (Check-in begins at 7:00 AM near the Welcome Center)

Bringing the Community Together:

At the heart of the =PR= Run Club, we believe that running is about connection—connecting with each other, with nature, and with the beautiful spaces we share. Pocahontas State Park is a legendary local training ground, but it is incredibly rare to get the chance to lace up, pin on a bib, and actually race here.

We are so deeply grateful to the teams at Chesterfield Parks & Recreation and Pocahontas State Park for their incredible support of outdoor activities and for opening up these trails to our community. This event is a true celebration of partnership, stewardship, and our shared love for the outdoors.

The Course

We’ll be circumventing the iconic Beaver Lake, taking you on a scenic tour of wide, highly runnable fire roads and beautiful sections of single-track, mixed with two short, technical sections to keep you on your toes. With some rolling hills to test your gears, this 4-mile cross-country themed footrace is the perfect blend of fast and gritty morning miles.

Why You Can't Miss This:

• Zero Parking Fees: Because it’s National Public Lands Day, park entry and parking are completely FREE all day long!

• The Ultimate Outdoor Doubleheader: This race is proudly associated with the Chesterfield Outdoor Fest, which kicks off right inside the park from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM. Run your heart out in the morning, grab some breakfast, and stay to enjoy the festival and celebrate our public lands with the whole family.

• Altra Footwear is Onsite: Our friends from Altra Running will be hanging out with a full demo fleet! You can test-drive their latest road and trail models before, during, or after the race to feel that signature foot-shaped toe box on the dirt.

• The Hardware: We’ll be celebrating the swift feet at the front with awards for the Top 3 Overall Male & Female Finishers, as well as the Top Age Group Winners. Also, some runners will be selected throughout the pack for a random gift card giveaway to the =PR= Run & Walk - Midlothian shop.   

Logistics & Parking

Packet Pickup: Swing by =PR= Run & Walk all day on Friday, September 25th to grab your bib early. If you can't make it then, onsite packet pickup will be available race morning from 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM near the State Park Visitors Center.

• Race Day Check-In & Start: Onsite check-in near the Visitors Center and starting line closes at 7:45 AM, and the race starts promptly at 8:00 AM. Arrive early to park, grab your packet, and get warmed up. 

• Parking: There is plenty of space available! Drive all the way to the large parking lot at the end of State Park Road—from there, it’s just a short, easy walk straight to check-in.

🌍 Sustainability Disclaimer

To honor National Public Lands Day and minimize our footprint on the environment, The Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler is a completely cupless race.

Plenty of water and hydration will be fully available at the start/finish area, but we ask that you bring your own handheld bottle, vest, or reservoir to carry water with you if you need hydration during the actual 4-mile run. Let’s work together to keep Pocahontas State Park beautiful and litter-free!

Come out early, celebrate our public lands, and start your weekend on the trails with the =PR= Run Club family. Let’s show our appreciation for the amazing parks that keep our community moving. See you at the starting line!