Thoroughbred Races

Our newest race, the Thoroughbred Races will take place on May 5th, 2018.  The race takes place between Lawrenceville Virginia and LaCrosse Virginia on the Tobacco Heritage Trail.  The Tobacco Heritage Trail is a new Rail Trail built from an old Norfolk Southern Railroad spur line.  The railroad's nickname of the Thoroughbred inspired the name of the race.  The Tobacco Heritage Trail celebrates the agricultural heritage of Virginia's Piedmont region.  It is a beautiful course and one that has never hosted an Ultra before.  Runners will pass through old railroad lines, rolling hills and small towns that give a brief glimpse of small town life.

Registration

Route and Aid Stations

The Race features two running options, a 50k and a 30k.  Both races begin at the Caboose in LaCrosse at 7:30am.  Packet pick up will begin at 6:15 am that morning.  The race heads eastbound on the trail.  There will be an unmanned water only station as the trail passes through Brodnax at mile 4.2.  Passing through Brodnax, runners will exit the trail and enter onto Railroad Street for 1.15 miles.  They will follow this road until they re-enter the trail on the eastern edge of Brodnax.  This road is not closed to other vehicular traffic.  There are road crossings so runners should be cautious at all road crossings.   At mile 9.3 the trail passes Evans Creek Road.  This will be the location of a fully manned aid station as well as the location for bathrooms.  Evans Creek Road will be the turnaround for the 30k.  Crews can access their runners at this location.  At mile 12.2 there will be another unmanned water station.  The turnaround point will be at Brickyard Road at mile 16.  There will be a full aid station, crew access and bathrooms here.

Time Limit and Cutoffs

The time limit for the race is 9.5 hours.  Runners not reaching Brickyard Road by 12:15 will be pulled from the course.

Crew/Pacers

Pacers are allowed after the turnaround point. Crew may access their runners at Evans Creek Road and the turnaround point.  Parking at Brickyard Road is limited so crew are encouraged to not spend too much time there.

The trail runs through Brodnax around miles 4.3 and 27.7.  Crew may access their runners at either location where the trail intersects the road.  Please just be wary and respectful of other vehicular traffic.

There is also a crew access point at mile 2.6/29.4 at the junction of the trail and regional airport road (State Road 626).  For those looking for it, type in 1921 State Road 626.  There is off road parking here.

Cost

The cost of the race is $50 for the 50k and $30 for the 30k.  All runners signing up by April 22nd are guaranteed a shirt.  The cost goes up to $40/$60 on April 9th.

Parking

Parking is available at the municipal lot in downtown LaCrosse.  Park next to the red caboose.

Prizes

All finishers will receive a finisher's award.  Prizes will be given to the top 3 male and female runners of each distance.  Runners must be present to claim their prize.  Prizes will not be mailed.

Registration

Tobacco Heritage Trail

Rules/Inclement Weather

The race director reserves the right to cancel the event at any time if the conditions are deemed unsafe.  We will hold the event in rain.  No strollers are permitted.  All participants should be 18 unless given permission from the race director to participate in the event.  While headphones are permitted, runners should exercise caution as there are road crossings on the course.  Participants should remove headphones when crossing roads.  The race director reserves the right to pull anyone off the course who in his judgment should not continue.

Lodging/Food

The nearest town is South Hill.  South Hill offers easy access to I-85 and plenty of lodging options.