Description
SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Registration opens in October 2025
This Richmond Road Runners Club 10-mile trail race starts and ends at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland, Virginia (about 45 minutes west of Richmond). The loop course passes through the piedmont hills of Cumberland State Forest and Bear Creek Lake State Park. This is an in-person race with registration capped at 275 runners/hikers. There is a virtual race option.
Richmond Road Runners Club will donate $1.00 of each runner's registration fee to the Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park -- the citizen volunteers from Virginia’s Central Piedmont region who enjoy supporting the park’s mission and operation.
Want to stay in a cabin Saturday night. Reserve early by calling the Virginia State Parks Customer Service Center at (800) 933-7275.
Place
Course & Course Rules
The 10-mile (plus a little extra) loop course starts with five miles out primarily on the Willis River Trail before heading back on sections of the Cumberland Multi-use, Lost Barr Loop, Lakeside and other trails. The run is 98% trail and about 2% road. The Willis River Trail is the single-track and somewhat challenging section: the second half of the race can be run faster and more easily. There are no significant elevation changes, but you will still get about 1,000 feet of vert. The trail crosses several creeks, has numerous short hills and includes some challenging sections with fallen trees across the path and leaves, roots and mud underfoot. This map provides a general overview of the loop course but it will be wise to follow the course markings on race day and even then some runners manage to wander off course.
WATER STATIONS: Water will be available at two locations along the course (WS on the map, mile points 3.5 and 7.5). WE ARE A "CUP-FREE" RACE. BRING YOUR PERSONAL HYDRATION CONTAINER (CUP, BOTTLE, BLADDER) FOR USE AT THE WATER STATIONS.
THIS IS A TRAIL RACE. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR SAFETY. BE ALERT FOR DOWNED TREES ACROSS THE COURSE, ROOTS, STONES, MUD, TREE LIMBS, STREAM CROSSINGS, WATER, SNOW/ICE, ETC. WATCH FOR TRAFFIC AT THE FEW ROAD CROSSINGS. PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR FELLOW RUNNERS AND COURSE MARSHALS. In consideration of the safety of all participants, race participants may not bring a dog(s) on the course during the race. The use of personal music devices is strongly discouraged. To enjoy all that our race has to offer and for the safety of all participants, RRRC encourages a headphone-free environment during the running of the Bear Creek 10 Mile Trail Run.
Can I walk or hike this event?
This is a trail race. In 2024, 90% of participants finished this 10-mile course in under 3 hours.
Walkers/hikers are welcome to participate. We ask that anyone who expects that they need more than 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish the course contact us before the race. We have some options to support you and respect the time of our race volunteers.
Race Co-Directors
Dave Trump and Rainey Niklawski
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Directions
Bear Creek Lake State Park, Cumberland, VA -- Race Check-in and Start/Finish Area
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