Events
2025 Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run
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Registration opens midnight Black Friday (11/29/24) and generally sells out by noon!
Video Highlights
Description
The Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run is an untimed, 14-mile point-to-point race in rural King George, Virginia. It starts at a Sheetz convenience store in the heart of the county, meanders through farmland and forest, and ends at another Sheetz store in the town of Dahlgren. The vast majority of the course is along the secluded Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT), a rails-to-trails project. Shuttle buses are provided to transport runners to the start line from designated parking near the finish line in Dahlgren.
While we do offer cool awards for the top male and female finishers (overall and Masters 50+), this laid back event really encourages runners to slow down and enjoy unique aid stations serving up pie, s’mores, Peeps, hot cider, soft pretzels, and other unexpected treats. Finish our race and you'll earn swag you’ll actually use including an insulated travel mug filled with Sheetz Bros. coffee and vouchers for delicious Sheetz Made-To-Order (MTO) food and drink!
Proceeds from registrations and raffle ticket sales benefit local children in need via the official Sheetz charity, Sheetz for the Kidz.
Note: With the exception of trained service animals, dogs are not permitted to run as part of this event.
Shweet Shwag
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.)
Optional Race Shirt
We realize you may have more race shirts than you know what to do with. Even thought we think you'll like our choice in race shirt, we do make it an optional add-on during the registration process. It's available for just $13 in unisex adult sizes XS - 3XL. More details:
Sport-Tek® Colorblock PosiCharge Competitor Tee (ST351)
3.8-ounce, 100% polyester interlock, removable tag, Raglan sleeves
This unisex tee is moisture-wicking and colorful with color block panels on shoulders and sides, as well as PosiCharge technology to ensure the color and logos endure.
Please note:
- Race shirts are available only as a registration add-on through 2/15/25.
- Race shirts will be distributed at packet pickups and will not be shipped.
- You may edit your selection (e.g., add/remove shirt, change size) through 2/15/25 via RunSignup (instructions). If you remove the add-on, you must contact the race director for refund as RunSignup will not issue a refund by default.
- If you transfer your entry prior to 2/15/25 and wish to cancel your shirt and get a refund, please follow the instructions in the previous bullet to remove the shirt prior to completing the transfer. Shirt changes and cancellations will not be an option for any transfers completed after 2/15/25.
- Limited quantities and sizes will be available for purchase at the finish line.
Packet Pickup
Now offering an option in Richmond!
We offer four convenient choices for packet pickup (3 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:
- New! Wednesday, April 2, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. @ Willow Lawn Lucky Road Run Shop (1601 Willow Lawn Drive, Richmond, VA)
Give-away: $10 off coupon! - Thursday, April 3, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m. @ Fredericksburg Lucky Road Run Shop (1865 Carl D. Silver Pkwy, Fredericksburg, VA)
Give-away: $10 off coupon! - Friday, April 4, 4:00 - 6:30 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.
Hotels, Parking and Shuttle Service
While we've been unable to reserve a block of rooms or a discount rate, we can suggest convenient stays. The newest hotels are also closest to event parking, the finish line, and Friday's packet pickup: My Place Hotel Dahlgren and Holiday Inn Express Dahlgren. (See map) Three additional hotels are Google-able within a half mile, but note they are across the highway.
Remember this is a point-to-point race from the King George Middle 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 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.
Race Day Timeline
6:30 - 7:30 a.m. : Shuttle bus 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
Bag Drop
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.
Course & Aid Stations
Our 14-mile course starts at the King George Middle School (KGMS) 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:
- Mile 3.14 (pi): Pie and water
- Mile 6.2 (campsite): S’mores, Peeps, fruit, cereal bars, hot apple cider, hot chocolate, water, Tailwind, campfire, hammocks, 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.
Can't Make It?
We get it - things happen. While we cannot offer refunds, we do offer three options to help in these situations:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Transfers
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, minus RunSignup fees. 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.
Cupless Racing
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.
Schematic Diagram
Summing up the event in one tidy graphic... Click thumbnail to expand.
Prizes
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 Creekside Farm Brewery (King George). Each will also earn a cool custom trophy.
Charity raffle
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
- $50 gift certificate to Creekside Farm 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
Race Website
Additional race information can be found at https://www.sheetz2sheetz.com/.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Racecheck.com Rating
We're proud to be the #5-rated off-road event in the world according to athlete reviews on racecheck.com!
Directions
PARKING: King George Gateway Shopping Center, 16435 Merchants Ln, King George, VA
(Shuttle provided to start)
START: Sheetz #573 - 8206 Kings Highway, King George, VA
FINISH: Sheetz #259 - 17188 Owens Drive, King George, VA
(Within walking distance of parking)
MapMyRun Map
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