2026 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, & 26.2 Relay

2026 Chessie Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K & 26.2 Relay

November 7, 2026 

www.runthechessie.org

11th Annual Run The Chessie!

Run America’s most spectacular rail trail!  The Chessie Nature Trail has twice been voted one of the nation’s top three recreational trails.  Situated at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley, the seven-mile Chessie Nature Trail 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 deer, wild turkeys, river otters, fish and ducks to rabbits, , and even bald eagles (if you are lucky).  Feel the cool moist air as you pass small caves at the base of towering limestone cliffs, 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 . 

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 approximately 8.5m, 4.6m, 8.5m, and 4.6m.  Runners may run more than one leg for their team.  Each team will be issued a standard aluminum relay baton, which they will be required to carry on their bodies for the entire race.  All exchanges will take place at the start/finish area.  Teams are encouraged to decorate their baton with their team colors, logo, etc.  Winners will be determined by first across the finish line (not chip time).  There will be three divisions, all female, all male, and mixed gender.  Relay team captains will be required to pay the registration fee for the team and set up a team name and password so that other team members may enter their information on the registration website.

Walkers are welcome in the 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon.

Full Marathon registration includes custom finisher swag (your choice of embroidered hat, custom tank top, or custom neck gaiter), long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.

Half Marathon registration includes a long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture top wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.

10K & 5K runners will receive a short sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all finishers, awards to top overall finishers, recognition and podium ceremony for age group winners, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks following the race.

Marathon Relay registration includes, long sleeve unisex t-shirt (super comfy 100% ring spun cotton in odd number years, top quality moisture wicking tech in even number years), race sticker, custom medals for all team members, podium ceremony and photo op with huge trophies for the top three winners of each division (no actual physical award), gift certificates for the champions of each division, post-race pizza, fresh cooked pancakes and syrup, fruit, snacks, and drinks.

There is plenty of free parking near the start and plenty of other activities to make a weekend of it in the most beautiful part of Virginia!  Registration for each race is limited, so register now to ensure your spot.

Virtual Option:  There will be a Virtual Option for the Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K and 5K races.  Runners may run their Virtual Race on a course of their choosing, any time from October 1 to November 7, and may self-report their times.  Amenities for the virtual races will include t-shirt, medal, race sticker, online finisher certificate and posted results.  Amenities will be mailed to the participant.  Virtual runners will not be eligible for awards.

Registration:  Registrations and payment will only be accepted online at https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Lexington/RunTheChessie. Students will be required to show proof of current enrollment at packet pickup.  Registration will be cut off on November 6, 7 p.m. ET and there will be no race day registration.  We cannot guarantee t-shirt availability for late registrants.  Registrants may transfer to a different race, transfer their registration to another person, or defer, up to October 31, 2026.  After October 31 we cannot make any transfers or deferrals. Transfers may require a small fee from runsignup.com plus any difference for transferring to a more expensive race.  We are sorry that we cannot make refunds for any reason.  Marathon Relay team captains will be required to pay the entire registration fee for the team (up to 4 members) and set up a team name and password so that other team members may enter their information on the registration website.

In the event that races must be cancelled due to hazardous conditions, or for any other reason, all registrants will be transferred to the VIRTUAL races.

            Full Marathon Registration:          

                        Student (student ID required)                         $41

                        Super Early Discount 1/1/26 – 5/31/26          $61

                        Early                           6/1/26 – 7/31/26          $67

                        On-Time                     8/1/26 – 9/30/26          $73

                        Late                             10/1/26 – 11/6/26        $89     

                        Virtual Option            1/1/26 – 11/6/26          $61

            Half Marathon Registration:

                        Student (student ID required)                         $31

                        Super Early Discount 1/1/26 – 5/31/26          $51

                        Early Discount            6/1/26 – 7/31/26          $57

                        On-Time                     8/1/26 – 9/30/26          $63

                        Late                             10/1/26 – 11/6/26        $74

                        Virtual Option            1/1/26 – 11/6/26          $51

            10K Registration:

                        Student (student ID required)                         $28

                        Super Early Discount 1/1/26 – 5/31/26          $34

                        Early Discount            6/1/26 – 7/31/26          $38

                        On-Time                     8/1/26 – 9/30/26          $41

                        Late                             10/1/26 – 11/6/26        $47

                        Virtual Option            1/1/26 – 11/6/26          $37

            5K Registration:

                        Student (student ID required)   ...