Freight Train Ultra Marathon
December 7, 2024
High Bridge Trail State Park
Starting at $55
Event Details
Registration Options
Half Marathon – $55
50k – $75
100k – $135
Start Times
100k – 7:30 am
50k – 8:30 am
Half Marathon – 9:00 am
Course Description
100k
Welcome to year 5 of Freight Train!
The start and finish line will be the Train Depot in downtown Farmville. Runners will travel east from Farmville. They will continue a total of 8.4 miles to Rice. This will be the first aid station for the 100k runners. It will also be the turnaround point for the 50k runners. From Rice, they will continue to Orchard Road, 5 miles away. This will be the second aid station. Runners will continue past Moran to the end of the trail. They will turn around at the end of the trail and return to Orchard Road. From here, they will retrace their steps back to Rice and Farmville. This is a 30.6 mile round trip. Farmville will be the halfway point as well as an aid station.
They will head west from Farmville to the next aid station at Tuggle. This is 5.5 miles. They will then travel another 3.9 miles to Prospect, the next aid station. They will travel 6.7 miles from Prospect to the trail’s end at Pamplin City. 3.5 miles into this leg they will reach a crew access point at Elam. They will turn around at Pamplin City and retrace their route to Farmville. This portion of the course is 32.0 miles.
50k
Runners will run from Farmville to Rice like the 100k runners. They turn around and return to Farmville at Rice. From Farmville, they run to Tuggle for an aid station. They then run 1.75 miles past Tuggle to Oliver Road. They turn around here and return to Farmville via the Tuggle aid station. 50k runners have the entire 18 hours to finish the 50k. They only have to reach Farmville (halfway) by 4 pm so I can shut down that half of the course. 50k runners will only use the Rice, downtown, and Tuggle aid stations.
Half Marathon
Participants begin at 9 am. They head east for 6.55 miles. They will reach a manned water-only station just past Camp Paradise. They will turn around here and return to the finish. They will cross High Bridge twice.
The entire course is flat. The total elevation gain for the 100k is under 1000 feet. Because it is a rail trail the course (especially the bridge) is exposed to the elements. If it is raining, snowing or windy there is no tree cover. Road or trail shoes work for the race.
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, or 150k option! Head over to the High Bridge Challenge page for more information.
Packet pick up will be available Friday night at the Train Depot (510 W 3rd St)from 5:30-7:30. Pick up will begin for all distances at 6am on Saturday. This will be at the start/finish line at 510 W 3rd Street.
Live Tracking
https://my.raceresult.com/267366/
Aid Stations
| Location | Open Time | Close Time | Mileage | Cutoff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmville | 7:30 am | 1:00 am | 0.0 | 1:30 am (100k) |
| Rice | 8:15 am | 2:00 pm | 8.2 | No |
| Farmville | 7:30 am | 1:00 am | 30/62.4 | Yes (4 pm for 100k) |
| Tuggle | 10:30 am | 11:30 pm | 35.7/56.7 | No |
| Prospect | 11:45 am | 10:15 pm | 39.5/52.9 | Yes (10:15 pm) |
| Pamplin City | 1:45 pm | 8:45 pm | 46.2 | Yes (8:30 pm) |
| Orchard Road | 9:15 am | 12:30 pm | 13/17 | No |
There are two lengthy portions of the course where runners will have to travel a long distance without an aid station. These are Farmville to Rice (8.2 miles) and Prospect to Pamplin (6.5 miles). Crew members will be able to access their runners at multiple points on these stretches. There is parking at Elam and the crew may use this lot to access their runner. Runners must remember to carry enough water to travel these sections. Runners should also remember to carry any trash they create to the next trash can.
Drop Bags
Drop Bags for the 100k will be transported out to Prospect. Runners will be able to access them at miles 39.9 and 52.9. They will return to the start when Prospect closes. Runners may also keep a bag at the start line to access when they reach the halfway point. 50k runners may send a drop bag out to Tuggle. It will return when the aid station closes. Because Tuggle closes near midnight, it is recommended that runners make arrangements to drive out to Tuggle and pick up their bag after they finish running.
Pacers
Pacers are permitted for the 100k after a runner reaches the halfway point (downtown Farmville). Pacers are responsible for transportation to and from their aid station. Pacers are permitted for the 50k from Tuggle to the finish line. Pacers are not permitted for the Half Marathon.
Dogs/Strollers
Dogs are permitted with prior permission of the RD. They may run after the halfway point of any distance. Strollers are also permitted. They may be used for the entire distance. Exceptional and Adaptive athletes are also encouraged.
Lodging
The Hotel Weyanoke is 3 blocks from the start line. There is also a Tru by Hilton, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express in town. There are also rentals available on the Airbnb market.
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
Every runner registered by November 1st will get a unisex long-sleeve hoodie. Registrations that come in after will receive old shirts or leftovers. Every finisher of any distance will receive a handcrafted holiday ornament courtesy of Mainly Clay. Top 3 male/female in each distance will receive handmade pottery awards in addition to the ornaments. The last-place finisher in each space will receive the coveted DFL award! Finally, since this is a holiday race Ugly Christmas sweaters and costumes are encouraged! Wearers of ugly Christmas Sweaters will receive something special as well. This includes spectators and crew.
