Pawpaw 10 Miler and 5 Miler

Powhatan 10th Anniversary 10 Miler returns with a new name and distance

Last year, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of Powhatan State Park. This year, we will make things bigger and better by integrating the 10 Mile Race into the park’s annual Pawpaw Festival. We will also add a shorter 5 mile option. Come celebrate this native Virginia fruit with a run along the James River, through open fields, along glorious singletrack and past a historic cabin! The festival will also feature live music, a beer truck and tons of other events.



Powhatan State Park opened up in 2013. With miles of James River frontage plus almost 20 miles of trails the park has become a huge hit. The park features a mix of reclaimed farm fields (great for bird watching), mixed with shady forests right on the historic James River.

Come help celebrate the Park’s 10th birthday by running a 10 miler on September 23rd, 2023. Participants will run the exterior trails of the park. The trails feature a great mix of terrain. The trail along the river is flat, fast and scenic. When you veer away from the river there are some gnarly climbs up into open fields. The views stretch for miles until you enter the forest. Run through some shaded singletrack until you reach the historic cabin ruins. After a steep climb you eventually exit the forest and come back out into the open fields. As you run through the fields take a moment to appreciate the diversity of wildlife and birds that call the area home. Eventually you finish your 10 miles back at the Equestrian Trailhead Parking Lot.

There will be a water station near mile 5. All participants registered by 9/1 will receive a gender specific short sleeve shirt. Food will be available for purchase after the event from the Cafe at Maidens. Featuring fantastic boxed lunches this food can be added on to your order at check out.

At $50, this is a benefit race for the Friends of Powhatan State Park, a local volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the mission of Powhatan State Park. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Friends Group. As such, we do not offer discounts.

The Pawpaw 10 Miler is a participant in the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series and is sponsored by Dominion Energy