FAQs
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Generally, an Ultra Marathon is anything over 26.2 miles. A marathon is 26.2 miles. The most common distance for Ultras is a 50k.
A 50k is 31.1 miles. A 100k is 62.2 miles.
Most runners use a mixture of walking and running to run an Ultra. They either walk a little bit every mile or run early on and then walk later. They also adjust their pace depending on the terrain. In the end, it comes down to putting one foot in front of the other.
How long it takes to run a 100k depends on the terrain and your goals. Fast 100k times are anything under 10 hours. The average 100k times are normally between 13-16 hours.
Freight Train offers an 18-hour cutoff time for 100k runners. If you think you may need more time consider running one of our fixed-time events (like the 24-hour or longer distances at Dogwood)
We focus on the local community. All of our shirts are purchased from a Virginia-based company. Our swag is produced by local artists and shops. We work with local restaurants and businesses to provide a first-class event. This focus on the local community benefits the local economy.
A fixed-time event is one where runners travel over the course for a specific amount of time. The goal is to run/walk for as many miles as possible during that time. It is different from a distance race in that during a 50k runners only complete the 50k course. In an 8-hour fixed-time race, a runner may complete 10, 20, 30, or 40 miles. If they choose to take a break, there is no penalty.
We have young children. We know spending long hours supporting a runner can be hard on the family. We frequently offer children’s activities and family-friendly programming during our events. This includes pumpkin painting, Easter Egg hunts, campfires, and guided hikes. We are also working with local businesses to provide some programming for families as well. Children are welcome at all of our events. They can even help volunteer and cheer on runners!
Yes! Many of our events were created with the idea of getting new runners out on the trails. They feature generous cut-off times. Fixed-time races are also tremendously friendly to walkers. You can walk at your own pace.