Description
NEW RIVER TRAIL RACES 2027
5K • 10K • 25K • 50K • 100K • 100-MILE
Since 2008, runners have gathered along the banks of the historic New River to push their limits, chase personal records, and experience one of North America's most scenic rail-trail courses. Hosted by SWVA Running, the 2027 New River Trail Races bring you a full weekend of community racing across six distinct distances. This course is 100% dirt/crushed gravel, flat, fast, and feature zero mountain scrambles, which is ideal for first-time ultra finishers, personal record hunters, and families alike.
No matter the distance, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere, top-tier aid station support, and the crushing beauty of Southwest Virginia's premier state park.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, April 8, 2027
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Packet Pickup for 100-Mile & 100K
6:00 PM: 100 Mile and 100K Course Briefing at Fries Access
Friday, April 9, 2027
3:00 AM: Headquarters & Medical Check-in Opens
4:00 AM: 100-Mile & 100K Race Start
Saturday, April 10, 2027
6:00 AM: Packet Pickup for 50k, 25k, & 10k
7:00 AM: 50K & 25K Race Start
8:00 AM: 10K Community Run Start
8:30 AM: FREE COMMUNITY untimed 5K Race Start
Registration On-Site Race Day Only for FREE 5k
No swag or finisher's medals for 5k finishers
8:00 PM: Official Race Finish & Course Cutoff for ALL distances
Sunday, April 11, 2027
Post-Race: Volunteer Course Sweep & State Park Leave No Trace Clean-up
Start Line Address:
321 Firehouse Road Fries VA
Gear Requirements
This is a cup-less race. All runners will need to carry a reusable/collapsible cup.
There are gear requirements for the 100-Mile & 100k including:
headlamps or light, water filter, emergency blanket, and reusable/collapsible cup.
Runners for the 50k should consider bringing headlamps or flashlights to pick-up numbers.
Parking is across a grassy field with limited lighting.
Drop bags (50k, 100k and 100 Mile only):
50k, 100k, & 100 Mile runners may leave a drop bag at the Start/Finish area anytime after 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 8, 2027. Please clearly mark bags w/name, bib #. Waterproof the bag if necessary. Bags will be returned to the finish area by 7 PM Saturday, April 10, 2027. Forgotten or abandoned drop bags CANNOT be mailed. Items left after 8:00 pm will be either recycled, donated or disposed of. You can leave a note on the dashboard of your vehicle to help you remember.
Packet Pick-up:
Thursday, April 8, 2027
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM: Packet Pickup for 100-Mile & 100K
6:00 PM: 100 Mile and 100K Course Briefing at Fries Access
Saturday, April 10, 2027
6:00 AM to 15 minutes before start time: Packet Pickup for 50k, 25k, & 10k
You are responsible for paying for the parking fee for the state park which is $7 per day that covers your entire day no matter the location. This is paid on-site unless you already possess a monthly or annual pass with Virginia State Parks.
There will be no refunds of entry fees. Runners can transfer distances up to the day before the race, no refund for dropping down distances, runners increasing distances will have to pay the difference in price. Runners can transfer their entry to another runner, to be used the same year as originally registered. Rollovers are allowed for medical conditions including pregnancy and post-partum.
Please be careful at road crossings. Traffic has the right away. The initial crossing by Low Water Bridge may have law enforcement/park service to assist at the beginning of the race, but not at the end of the race. Please listen to volunteers when it’s safe to cross. Volunteers cannot stop traffic, but will remind you to watch for traffic.
There is limited to no cell phone service on portions of the trail (especially towards Fries Junction, Gambetta Road, and Iron Ridge Road). There will be hand radio operators on the course to assist with communications as well.
Also, please remember that the trail is open to all during the entire event.
This means you will need to be courteous to other trail users, such as cyclists, e-bikes, and horseback riders.
Refund Policy
There will be no refunds of entry fees. Runners can transfer distances up to the day before the race, no refund for dropping down distances, runners increasing distances will have to pay the difference in price. Runners can transfer their entry to another runner, to be used the same year as originally registered. Rollovers are allowed for medical conditions including pregnancy and post-partum.
Awards
All finishers of the 10k, 25k, and 50k receive a finisher's medal.
All 100k & 100 Mile finishers receive a buckle.
Awards will be given out for the following:
1st Overall Male, Female, and Nonbinary
2nd Overall Male, Female, and Nonbinary
3rd Overall Male, Female, and Nonbinary
*Free community 5k does not include awards, swag, or finisher's medal
View Past Race Photography
https://jenniferthorsen.smugmug.com/2025-races/New-River-Trail-Races/On-course
https://photos.jayproffitt.com/2025-Races/2025-New-River-Trail-Races
https://photos.jayproffitt.com/2024-Races/2024-New-River-Trail-Races
https://photos.jayproffitt.com/2024-Races/2024-New-River-Trail-Race-Portraits
More info:
https://www.swvarunning.com/newrivertrailraces
Event's current local time: 4:12 AM ET
