2024 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, & 26.2 Relay Half Marathon

2024 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 26.2 Relay
October 26, 2024 
www.runthechessie.org
 
We are proud to announce that the Chessie Trail 10K has been selected for inclusion in the 2024 USATF Virginia Fall Distance Running Grand Prix!  USATF members will be eligible for additional medals and scoring points towards the Grand Prix’s $3500 prize purse.
 
Run The Chessie!
 
Run America’s most spectacular rail trail!  The Chessie Nature Trail was voted one of the top three recreational trails in the nation in 2023. The seven-mile Chessie Trail, situated at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, parallels the scenic Maury River and connects historic Lexington, Virginia, with the boom-town community of Buena Vista.  The smooth, flat, and fast, gravel and grass trail runs along the former Chesapeake and Ohio rail line and parts of the earlier James and Kanawha Canal towpath.
 
You’ll run 26.2 miles without ever having to cross a road, jump a curb, or pound your knees on concrete and asphalt.  You’ll glide through an ever-changing landscape along the wild Maury River, through farmland and leafy canopies at their peak of fall color, past ruins of massive stone locks and dams.  View wildlife from fish and ducks to rabbits, deer, wild turkeys, river otters, and even bald eagles (if you are lucky), feel the cool moist air as you pass small caves, and enjoy the serenity of a breeze rustling through a bamboo forest.  A corps of the most dedicated and friendly volunteers you’ll ever meet has been working for 12 months to provide you with an unforgettable running experience and will cheer you on and provide support throughout the race.
 
This event is sanctioned by USATF and all four race courses are USATF certified. The Marathon is a Boston Qualifier.
 
Marathon runners will get to see the whole trail twice.  You will be amazed at how the landscape changes as the sun comes over the cliffs transforming the narrow valley and the sparkling river at its bottom.  Spectators will agree that this is the best marathon course ever as they cheer on their loved ones five times without ever having to leave the park-like setting of the start/finish area.  And while we certainly hope this doesn’t happen, if you have to change your marathon run to a half marathon or ¾ marathon, you won’t have to worry about hitchhiking back to your car.  Ideal for the first-time marathoner!  USATF Certification VA22005DJR .
 
Half Marathon runners will see nearly all of the trail as they head east towards Buena Vista, loop back to the starting line on the way to Lexington, and then loop back down to the finish line.  USATF Certification VA22004DJR .
 
10K runners will head towards Buena Vista first, turning back just after South River, then continue past the starting line towards Lexington, turning once more and running the final 2.5K downhill to the start/finish line.  USATF Certification VA22003DJR .  Runners wishing to participate in the USATF Virginia Fall Grand Prix must be USATF members and enter their membership number on the registration form by Thursday, October 24 (11:59 pm).
 
5K runners will head towards Lexington, running along remote sections of the Maury River through forests and fields, and at the base of towering limestone cliffs.  When the river bends into a double horseshoe, they will loop back for a slightly downhill finish.  USATF Certification VA22002DJR .
 
26.2 Relay runners will follow the same course as the Marathon.  There will be four legs to the relay of