Events
Escape Belle Isle 5K Run
Escape Belle Isle 5K Ruck
Virtual Escape Belle Isle 5K Run or Ruck (With Swag)
Virtual Escape Belle Isle 5K Run or Ruck (Without Swag)
Place
Richmond, VA US 23220
Description
After and amazing first year come join us in making a positive difference in supporting our service men and women during Military Appreciation month!! With the great downtown location, views of the river, and traversing Belle Isle, this 5K run and ruck will be one for the books! Escape Belle Isle 5K Run and Ruck is dedicated to attracting a variety of participants from casual to athletic runners to those who want a good rucking challenge in honor of our military. Race day is on Saturday, May 3, 2025, with check-in activities from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m., opening ceremony at 9:15 a.m., and the 5K race set to start by 9:30 a.m., and the 5k ruck at 9:35 a.m. The Award Ceremony will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. at the Virginia War Memorial for the top three runners and Rucker’s for men and women.
This race will benefit Semper Fi & America’s Fund, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dedicated to providing immediate financial assistance and lifetime support to our nation’s critically wounded, ill, and injured service members, veterans, and military families. They operate their programs and services through a “needs-based” approach. Staff and volunteers work one-on-one with our service members, veterans, and military families–providing ongoing support for as long as legitimate needs require.
At each race, in addition to giving all the runners finisher items - a challenge coin and patch - we will honor the top finishers with a special prize goodie bag that contains items we have put together from our vendors and sponsors. The two award categories include the 5K Run and 5K Ruck where we recognize the top 3 finishers, male and female.
*** Sign up by April 21 to guarantee a shirt!***
Course Map
The course will start at the Virginia War Memorial, head northeast up 2nd street, turn right onto E Byrd Street, right turn down 5th street toward the river, turn left onto Tredegar Street, crossing the pedestrian bridge to go around Belle Isle, with a slight right turn toward the wooden bridge where there will be a turn around point to head back back across the pedestrian bridge and up the hill on Brown’s Island Way to finish at the Virginia War Memorial.
Participants will incounter some hills, paved sidewalks, and gravel paths around belle isle.
Strollers and dogs are permitted, please just be courteous to other participants.
The Rucking Divison
The ruck division of the Escape Belle Isle 5K requires participants to carry a weighted rucksack or other type of weighted backpack. We welcome ruckers of all levels to join us and earn a coin and patch, but to compete for a top finisher medal in the ruck division, your ruck must contain the prescribed additional weight based on body weight:
● For participants weighing 149 lbs or less, a 10-pound weight is required to qualify for the competitive ruck division.
● For those weighing 150 lbs or more, a 20-pound weight is required to qualify for the competitive ruck division.
● Weighted vests and RPC's are now allowed and do qualify for the competitive GORUCK division.
● LEOs and Firefighters in full turnout gear also qualify for the competitive ruck division.
● We will weigh your ruck, but not your body! Your body weight is on the honor system.
Rucks will be weighed at each event before the start. Rucks must be compliant with the prescribed weight for the duration of the event.
Ruck for fun! We enthusiastically welcome ruckers who choose not to carry the minimum weight requirement to participate in the ruck and earn their patch! These participants will skip the weigh-in before the event and will not qualify for medal consideration. Come on out and ruck your yoga block!
All participants are required to supply their own rucks and weights.
Awards will be presented to the top 3 overall male and the top 3 overall female ruck finishers who cross the finish line with rucks that meet the weight standard outlined above. There are no age brackets in the ruck division.
Patches:
Every registered participant of the ruck division will receive this year’s exclusive Escape Belle Isle 5K patch and challenge coin no matter what amount of weight they carry.
Approved Weight list:
Ruckers can carry almost any item to meet the standard weight outlined above. The following items are examples to have in the ruck to meet weight requirements:
● Steel plates
● Bricks
● Dumbbells
● Ankle weights
● Books
● The gear of a fallen loved one
*Water bladders or anything else that can be emptied during the event will not qualify as weight.
*Children do not qualify as weight.
Virtual Runners and Ruckers
Information for Virtual Participants
Thank you for signing up to participate in our event virtually! You can run anywhere or anytime during military appreciation month (May 1 - May 31) and submit your results under the RESULTS TAB. We will ship your swag and finisher items starting May 1!! Please tag us on Instagram at @escapebelleislerva during your virtual run/ruck and have a blast!
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
