🏃 Races in Virginia

Get ready to tackle a 3.1-mile run or walk at your own pace in your neighborhood anytime during September—fitting perfectly into your schedule! Register by August 1st to snag your commemorative t-shirt, and know that your participation supports the Foundation for Rural Service's scholarships, community grants, and Youth Tour programs. Whether you're signing up individually, with coworkers, or representing your whole company, you can even log this event toward your yearly wellness requirement if you're part of NTCA's GHP Wellness Connections plan.

Come join the community in Spotsylvania, VA for a welcoming triathlon experience where 130 volunteers help make your day special on a gorgeous course with a clean lake swim, peaceful car-free cycling through rolling hills, and a quick shaded run. You'll find options for both adults (700m swim, 12.4-mile bike, 5K run) and young athletes ages 6-15 with appropriately scaled distances, whether you're tackling your first triathlon or you're a seasoned racer looking for a family-friendly atmosphere.

Join this beginner-friendly triathlon in Charlottesville, Virginia on August 30, 2026, featuring a pool swim start and 12 event options at sprint distances—including standard events like Triathlon, RunBikeRun, SwimBike, SwimRun, 400-yard Swim, and 5K Run, plus youth versions of each format. Located about 100 miles southwest of Washington, D.C. and 70 miles northwest of Richmond, you'll enjoy pleasant conditions with air temperatures between 64-82°F and water temperatures around 68°F (wetsuits are legal). After racing, explore nearby attractions like Monticello, the Fralin Museum of Art, and local wineries to make the most of your trip to this scenic destination.

Join runners for a scenic 5K along the Virginia Beach Oceanfront Boardwalk on Sunday, August 24, 2025 at 7:00 am, featuring a fast and flat out-and-back course with beautiful ocean views and a water station at the turnaround. Every finisher will take home a custom medal and commemorative tee, plus you'll have the chance to stick around for pro surf competitions and other free events happening as part of the 63rd Annual Coastal Edge East Coast Surfing Championships. Register online for $40 before August 16th at midnight ($45 after), with packet pickup available on Tuesday, August 19th, or sign up on-site race morning under the Coastal Edge tent at 2nd Street on the boardwalk.

Head to Vienna, VA with DC Road Runners to tackle a challenging 3-mile cross country route that marks the end of summer racing and wraps up the Bunion Derby series—then stick around for a Club Picnic where food and drinks are included with your registration. Everyone can join in on the fun, whether you're racing or just attending the picnic (just let us know if you're not running so we can plan food quantities), plus there's a kids dash for the little ones. Members run free while non-members pay $10, and awards are given three-deep across male and female divisions organized by 10-year age groups, plus overall and masters categories.

Get ready for a fun-filled day at the beach with this unique triathlon featuring a 2k sand run, a 5k bike ride on the beach path using gearless cruisers, and a 1k surfboard paddle session! Whether you're an experienced triathlete or just looking for a beach-based adventure, you'll enjoy a laid-back yet competitive atmosphere that celebrates fitness and good times in the sand and sun. Grab your packet on Tuesday, August 19th between 5:30pm and 7pm at Coastal Edge's 21st Street location (316 21st Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23451).

Lace up on August 29 at 8 AM for the 14th annual 5K run/walk supporting Iraqi orphans and vulnerable children—participate in-person at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax, VA, or go virtual from anywhere in the world. Gather your team or start a fundraiser to compete for awards, then stick around for the after-party complete with snacks, music, and activities (check-in opens at 8 AM, and registration closes before race day). The Iraqi Children Foundation uses your support to provide education, legal protection, nutrition, rescue services, and medical care to vulnerable children across Iraq who face risks of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Experience the excitement of summer racing in charming Ashland, Virginia, nicknamed "The Center of the Universe," where you'll enjoy scenic historic architecture and a vibrant downtown packed with dining and brewery favorites. Both the half marathon and 5k courses offer a memorable small-town adventure, complete with the unique thrill of running past a passing train. Get ready for an unforgettable Virginia experience that combines great racing with small-town charm!

Head to Herndon, VA on August 29, 2026, for an awesome chance to test your running abilities while soaking in the great community vibes at this fun gathering. You'll be joining fellow runners for a fantastic event that brings together athleticism and good times in a beautiful setting.

Join the festivities in Norfolk's beautiful Waterside District on Saturday, August 29, 2026, for this family-friendly celebration marking its 20th year! You'll have your pick of activities—register for your race packet at 7AM, then choose between an 8AM 5K run or a 9AM 2-mile walk. Details about sponsors will be announced soon, so stay tuned!

Looking for an exciting cycling criterium in the Alexandria, VA area? The Corsa Coppi has you covered! Check out bikereg.com for additional details about this event.

Get ready for the 2nd Annual Coastal Edge Shred For Bread 5K Skateboard Race along Virginia Beach's scenic boardwalk! This flat out-and-back course starts at 2nd Street, heads north to 24th Street, and returns to the finish, with water stations at both the start/finish and turnaround point. All finishers will receive a t-shirt and medal, plus you can catch the Coastal Edge ECSC WSL 1000 surfing contest during the event. (Note: Event dates are currently being finalized with the city, so stay tuned for updates!) Parking is available at the 2nd Street lot or metered spaces on nearby cross streets.

Head to Arlington's Bluemont Park for the NOVA Running Club's beloved annual 5K, featuring a speedy out-and-back route along the W&OD trail—perfect if you're looking for a laid-back weeknight racing experience without the crowds. This intimate event celebrates your local Northern Virginia running community while offering ideal conditions to beat the summer heat, with a limited field size that keeps things pleasantly relaxed on the trail. Sign up online by 11:59pm on August 24, 2026, or register on race day.

Get your hands on some awesome 5 Fields running gear by pre-ordering comfortable Sport Tek t-shirts, tanks, and long sleeves designed to keep you cool and dry during your runs. Choose from a fantastic variety of colors in both men's and women's styles, all featuring durable PosiCharge technology that keeps colors vibrant and logos looking fresh. Grab yours for just $20 each and rock your 5 Fields pride on every mile!

Looking for an engaging trail challenge? This fourth installment in the FXBG Trail Series features a dynamic 8-mile course packed with technical singletrack that winds through wooded terrain with constant direction changes to keep you sharp throughout. You'll navigate rolling hills that test your leg strength and pacing, plus one significant climb that serves as the day's main effort—conquer it and you'll ride the momentum through the final winding miles where the terrain stays lively all the way to the finish.

Join this fully charitable 5K event in Manassas that benefits Morgan's Message and the HCCA Family Relief Fund, with the start and finish located at 11220 Assett Loop. After the race concludes on Discovery Boulevard, you'll have the chance to head over to 2Silos for a post-race beverage while waiting for awards to be presented. Arrive by 8:00 AM to catch the kids fun run, and feel free to bring strollers and furry friends (just remember those dog waste bags!) to the back of the 5K course.

Lace up for this exciting new 5k at beautiful Chrysalis Vineyards in Middleburg, VA on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:00am (with flexible start times available during registration). Whether you're a runner, walker, or wine enthusiast, you'll enjoy craft, community, and nature while getting an official chip-timed race with results posted at www.J3Timing.com. Your registration includes a soft cotton t-shirt, plastic wine glass, finisher medal that doubles as a wine stopper, race bib, and a well-deserved glass of wine at the finish!

Join the 3rd Annual event supporting Lewy Body Dementia research on Saturday, August 22nd in Arlington, VA! Run your choice of a 5K or 1-mile distance on a mostly flat, out-and-back course along the W&OD Trail starting from Bon Air Park & Rose Gardens, with both races kicking off at 9:10am (plus a fun kids' dash at 9:00am). All finishers receive a t-shirt, top racers win prizes, and 100% of proceeds go to the Lewy Body Dementia Association to support awareness of this often-overlooked brain disorder.

Get ready for a fantastic running experience on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex, where you can choose between a 5K or 1 Mile Fun Run benefiting the Virginia Elite Gymnastics Academy Competitive Team Parents Association—a nonprofit supporting gymnasts' tuition, competition costs, and uniforms. Every participant will earn a finisher medal, plus the top two male and female finishers in each age group of the 5K will receive certificates. Register by August 14th at noon to guarantee your swag bag; limited race-day registration is available for an extra $10 (though swag isn't guaranteed), and you can pick up your packet Friday evening (5:00-7:30 PM) or Saturday morning starting at 7:30 AM.

Get ready for an excellent 10-mile running experience in Culpeper, Virginia, conveniently positioned between Washington, DC and Charlottesville in the Piedmont River Valley! This USATF-certified loop course starts and finishes at the Culpeper Sports Complex on Sunday, August 16th at 7:15am, featuring mostly flat terrain with some rolling hills and gorgeous countryside scenery. You'll enjoy convenient parking, restroom facilities, and refreshments like cold watermelon and snacks at the finish, all while competing in this Coldwell Banker Elite Grand Prix Series event that Runner's World recognizes as ideal for fine-tuning your running form.

Join us in Virginia Beach for a fun run dedicated to raising awareness about water safety in our community. This event honors Gabriella Ruth Bianchi, affectionately called "Bean," and supports the Bean's Way Foundation's mission to educate families and prevent child drowning. Together, we're working toward a community where every child stays safe around water.

Get ready to sprint 3.1 miles through Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest plantation while tackling obstacles and navigating muddy terrain in this exciting obstacle course race! Your entry fee goes directly toward supporting educational programs at the historic venue. Note that Poplar Forest Parkway will be closed race day, so you'll need to use the service entrance at 687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA 24551—head to retreat/directions/ for detailed directions.

Head to the Smith River Sports Complex in Axton, VA for this welcoming 5K run/walk that supports the Bassett High School Cross Country Team while raising money for a brand new rubber track. The race uses Bassett's cross country course and is perfect for families looking to have a great time while giving back to student-athletes. Grab your race packet at the Golf Range between 7:00 and 7:45 am on Saturday morning before you hit the course.

Get ready for a muddy good time at Ridgeview Park in Waynesboro, VA, where kids ages 3-5 can tackle the Fun Dash while older runners aged 5-14 take on the 1.5 Mile Mud Run through the park's fields and trails. Your young athletes will navigate exciting obstacles like balance beams, a mud pit, and a giant slip n' slide—making this the perfect way to send off summer with some active outdoor adventure. It's all about getting dirty, having fun, and enjoying the sunshine!