Events
3H Trail Half Marathon
Dahlgren Heritage Rail Trail 50K
Saturday August 8, 2026:
6:30 AM: 50K Start
7:30 AM: Half Marathon Start
Both races start and end at 4224 University Drive King George, VA US 22485
Join a bunch of fun-loving people who are as crazy as you are for the 2026 3H Trail Half Marathon and Dahlgren Heritage Rail Trail 50K! Sure, these races are held in August. In Virginia. That's the sizzling bonus challenge you'll find at this race! All runners will receive a tank top or t-shirt (your choice!) and a finisher's medal.
The race courses are beautiful, scenic out and back courses on a mostly flat, smooth rails-to-trails course. There are roots and bog boards in sections of the course - use extra caution in these areas.
Cash prizes, great competition, good food, and awesome swag all make this a memorable event. There is a 4-hour time limit for the half marathon and an 8-hour time limit for the 50K - runners and walkers are welcome!
Course Description
The race is run almost entirely on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail which is a converted railroad bed and provides solid footing with little or no roots. This trail is flat, smooth, and fast with a variety of surfaces ranging from dirt, gravel, grass, and pine needles.
Both races start and end in the parking lot of UMW-Dahlgren. You'll have a quick jaunt from the parking lot to the connector trail that will lead you to the DRHT. Once you venture west on the trail, you'll run to your turnaround locations before heading back East towards the finish line.
Elevation:
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Fairly flat with some gradual inclines and declines. Thankfully trains don't like steep hills.
The trees along the trail ensure almost 100% shade during the run.
About the Trail
The 16 mile Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail follows the route of the old Dahlgren Branch rail line, stretching across King George County just south of the Potomac River in Virginia's Northern Neck. The trail is open for walking, running, cycling and other recreational non-motorized uses while preserving 240 acres of wildlife and natural beauty.
The Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit group that is volunteer-based and works to develop, preserve, and maintain this historic rail-to-trail greenway.
Please consider joining us in support of the Friends of the DHRT by donating to the trail HERE!
Race Swag
All participants will receive a custom finisher medal and a technical tank top or t-shirt. Be sure to register early to beat the shirt deadline! Shirts are not guaranteed after July 21, 2026.
Awards
3H Half Awards
Cash Awards for Overall Top 3 Men and Women + a golden spike!
1st Place: $100, 2nd Place: $75, 3rd Place: $50
Age Group Awards for Top 3 Men and Women
19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & Over
Overall awards are based on gun time - the first 3 males and first 3 females to cross the finish line.
Age group awards are based on chip times. Runners not receiving an overall award are eligible for age group awards.
DHRT 50K Awards
Cash Awards for Overall Top 3 Men and Women + a golden spike!
1st Place: $200, 2nd Place: $100, 3rd Place: $50
Course Record Bonus: First person running faster than:
Male: 3:10:26
Female: 3:39:26
Fastest person in each category who runs faster than the existing record will receive a $100 cash bonus.
Age Group Awards for Top 3 Men and Women
18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over
Overall awards are based on gun time and age group awards are based on chip time. Runners not receiving an overall award are eligible for age group awards.
Cupless Racing from 2024 Onward!
We are excited to announce that we are continuing with cupless racing! Unnecessary waste and trash is something we are working to eliminate from our trail events. As an organization dedicated to maintaining a clean race and doing our part to keep our trails clean, starting in 2024 will be going cupless. This means we are eliminating the use of disposable cups at the 3H Half and DHRT 50K. Runners will have the option of carrying their own hydration vessels or using a HydraPak reusable SpeedCup provided at packet pick up. By going cupless, we are eliminating over 2,000 cups on race day, and doing our part to keep the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail beautiful.
Thank you to our Aid Station Volunteers
We are fortunate to have many local XC teams join us on race day to support YOU out on the course. Shout out to Colonial Forge, King George, and North Stafford High Schools for being awesome! They are there to serve you, so when you approach Aid Stations, let them know what you need!
Aid Stations
3H Trail Half Marathon
There will be water near miles 3.3, 6.5, 9.8 and 12.2. There will also be Gatorade at miles 3.3, 6.5, and 9.8. Food at the Panorama Aid Station food is mainly there for the 50K participants, but if you are desperate for a burst of energy at mile 9.8, please grab a snack!
DHRT 50K
There will be 7 aid stations available to runners during the 50K Race. They are spaced out by approximately 4 miles.
Aid Station Locations:
Mile 3.3: Panorama Drive crossing
Mile 7.9: Indiantown Road crossing
Mile 12: Comorn Road crossing
Mile 15.5: Turnaround
Mile 19: Comorn Road crossing
Mile 23.1: Indiantown Road crossing
Mile 27.7: Panorama Drive crossing
Fluid Only: Mile 24.6 and 30.1
There is water, Gatorade and food at each station. Additionally, there are PB&J sandwiches at miles 12, 19 and 27.7.
Additional 50K Info
Porta Potty Locations
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Start
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Mile 3.3 Aid Station
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Mile 7.9 Aid Station
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Mile: 12. Aid Station
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Mile 14.8.
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Mile 16.2
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Mile 19 Aid Station
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Mile 23.1 Aid Station
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Mile 27.7 Aid Station
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Finish
Bag Drop
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The bag drop location will be located near the start. You can have 2 drop bags that we will deliver to separate aid stations.
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Location 1: Indiantown Road Aid Station. You will be here at miles 7.9 and 23.1
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Location 2: Lambs Creek Road Crossing. You will be here at Miles 14.8 and 16.2.
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Bag drop procedures will be communicated to runners the week of the race and during the online trail brief.
Support Crew:
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Crew assistance is limited to the Turnaround Aid Station. All other on-course support is prohibited.
Previewing the Course
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If you want to check out the course early or perhaps do some training runs on it, you are required to have a trail use permit.
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The permits are FREE and can be obtained by filling out a short online form here: Trail Use Permit
Cutoff Time
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You have 8 hours to complete the race
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You must be able to hold an average pace of 15:26 min/mile
- Intermediate cut off times will be enforced at the Aid Stations
DHRT 50K Course Map
3H Half Marathon Course Map
Run Fast
In 2014, we had the fastest trail only 50K times in the US for both Men and Women. Michael Wardian - 3:10:26 and Gina Slaby - 3:39:26.
Vic Culp, the founder of this race, has kept detailed records of both races! You can check out the race data below.
Where to Stay
The Holiday Inn Express is conveniently located within walking distance to the Start/Finish.
16348 Gateway Lane, King George, VA 22485 (540) 625-2034
There are a lot of other great options very near the start finish:
My Place Hotel
Country Inn & Suites
Red Roof Inn
Hampton Inn Dahlgren
