Night Train Ultra Marathons

June 19, 2027

High Bridge Trail State Park

Starting at $35

Event Details

Registration Options

5k – $38.50
Half Marathon – $71.56
50k – $98.812
100k- 179.12

Start Times

100k- 3pm
50k – 6:00 pm
Half Marathon and Half Marathon Hiker- 6:30 pm
5k and 5k Hiker – 8:00 pm

Night Train Ultra Marathons
Register Now

Course Description

100k

The 100k begins at Camp Paradise. Runners head East towards Rice (2.9 miles away). This is the first aid station. They then head towards Orchard Road. After passing Orchard Road, they travel to the trails ends retrace their steps to Camp Paradise. This is Mile 19.7. Afterwards, they continue West towards downtown Farmville, reaching another aid station at Mile 25. They reach just under the halfway point when they reach Tuggle at Mile 30.4. They continue to move West towards the Prospect aid station. This is the site of a drop bag location. It is also an indoor aid station. Runners then pass through the Elam parking lot (crews allowed but no volunteers stationed here. Water will be available here). They then reach the Pamplin turnaround and retrace their steps.

50k

The 50k begins at Camp Paradise. Runners will cross High Bridge and head towards downtown. They will travel 5.7 miles to the first aid station at Osborne Road, just past downtown. Runners will continue west for 5.2 miles to the next aid station at Tuggle. Runners continue west for another 3.8 miles to Prospect, the next aid station. They will continue past Prospect for another .9 miles to an unmanned turnaround. They will then turn around and retrace their steps through Prospect, Tuggle, downtown, and across the bridge to the finish.

Half Marathon

The Half Marathon begins at 6:30 pm. Runners will head west towards Farmville. They will pass the downtown Farmville Aid Station at mile 5.6 (Train Station). They will travel approximately one mile past the train station to an unmanned turnaround and then retrace their steps. They will pass through downtown Farmville one more time on their way to the finish.

5K

The 5k begins at 8 pm. Participants run over the bridge turning around just prior to River Road. The idea of an 8 pm start time is to get to run over the bridge while the sun is beginning to set.

Because this is a summer race every distance is required to carry at least 20 ounces of water! Runners must reach Prospect on the return leg (mile 17) by 11:00 pm or they will be pulled from the course.

The Half Marathon is part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series.

High Bridge Challenge

Freight Train and Night Train make up the High Bridge Challenge. Runners must complete both races in the same calendar year to be eligible. They can complete the Marathon, 100k, 150k or 200k option! Head over to the High Bridge Challenge page for more information. Registration for the 2027 High Bridge Challenge will open in December of 2026.

Packet Pick up will begin at 1pm at Camp Paradise on race day. The address is 1466 Camp Paradise Road.

We will once again allow in race drop downs. That means runners can sign up for the 50k and finish a half marathon for an unofficial finish. They can also begin the half and complete the 5k for an unofficial finish. In race drop downs are ineligible for top 3 or DFL awards.

Race Manual

Drop Bags

Drop bags for the 100k and 50k will be placed out at Prospect. They will return when the aid station closes. 100k runners can also send a drop bag to Orchard Road and Pamplin. There are no drop bags for the Half Marathon or 5k.

Pacers

Pacers for the 100k are allowed anytime after mile 19.6 (Camp Paradise). Pacers are allowed for 50k runners on the back half of the course. That means a runner may pick up a pacer at Prospect (mile 17), Tuggle (mile 21), or Downtown (mile 26.4). Pacers are not allowed for the Half Marathon or 5k. Crew are allowed to access runners Downtown, at Tuggle or Prospect. Please park in municipal parking spots downtown!

Dogs/Strollers

Dogs are not permitted at this race. Runners may use strollers from the Prospect Aid Station to the finish. Exceptions will be made for exceptional and adaptive athletes. This course is very friendly towards adaptive athletes and their equipment.

Lodging

Downtown Farmville has a bunch of lodging options. There is also a Tru by Hilton, Holiday Inn Express, and Hampton Inn. Cabins are available nearby at Twin Lakes State Park. The park does not allow overnight parking (i.e. sleeping in the car) at Camp Paradise. There is also no RV camping there.

Discounts

We are proud to offer discounts for all of our races. Enter the code “Thanks” at checkout if you are a military, fire, law enforcement, medical or educational professional.

Awards/Swag

The top 3 male and female runners for each distance will receive beautiful, handmade pottery from Mainly Clay. Last place in both the Half Marathon and 50k will receive the coveted DFL award. Because the race is so close to Independence Day we also recognize most patriotic male and female. Every finisher will receive a prize as well. The race shirts are tank tops for the ladies and a tri-blend t-shirt for the men. In 2024 we will also recognize top Grand Master male and female (over 60) for the Half Marathon and 50k.

Presented by