Events
2025 Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run
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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, 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.
Packet Pickup
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.
Race Day Timeline
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
Parking and Shuttle Service
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.
One important additional reminder:
- Per King George County Schools policy, no dogs are allowed on the buses. If you're running with a dog, you'll need to arrange your own transportation. Sorry!
Race Day Check-In
NEW! All runners must check in around the start line. It's a quick an easy process where you bib barcode will be scanned and you'll be given a HydraPak SpeedCup if you need one. (There are NO cups or bottles on the course.) If you don't have your bib yet, please proceed to race day packet pickup, then right in the same area do the separate check-in step. Just look for volunteers wearing bright safety vests and flashing green beacons -- you can't miss them!
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.
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.
Course & Aid Stations
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.
Schematic Diagram
Summing up the event in one tidy graphic... Click thumbnail to expand.
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.)
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 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 didn't forget our canine athletes! The first canine finisher earns a custom Top Dog trophy and prizes (TBD) as well!
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 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 with claims, questions or refunds.
- Transfers - Runner-initiated transfers are allowed up until race week. You receive a full refund 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 ($25). 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.
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 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 optional add-ons 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, the order will be cancelled, and the purchase price will be refunded along with the race registration. 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.
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. 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 2024)
- 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 2025 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/.
King George Trail Series
We are honored to be invited by Arsenal Events to be part of the King George Trail Series! Complete the three races and you'll earn some extra swag. Sign up for the bundle deal from any race site, and you'll receive $5 off each race!
- Dahlgren Trail Half Marathon
- Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run
- 3H Trail Half Marathon
Runner Assistance Program
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 16+).
For full details including application instructions and timelines, please see our FAQs page.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
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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