Are you an avid runner?

Check out the next big run or two coming up in Virginia.

February

Waynesboro - Feb 23 - If you're big into 'firsts' (what runner isn't?), you don't want to miss the Inaugural Mad Anthony Mud Run - a four-mile battle to build your character.

King George - Feb 24 - Two-hundred runners are invited to participate in the Dahlgren Trail Half-Marathon. It's an out-and-back for waves of 20, based on age and gender.

March

Martinsville - Mar 2 - "Sprinting for a Solution" is the theme of this year's Hope 4 The Homeless 5K Run/Walk. It's a road course that will award the top three men and top three women with prizes.

Abingdon - Mar 15 - The Shamrock 4Miler promises to be one fun St. Patty's run (though it's a few days early). The start and finish is at Bonefire Smokehouse where the after-race party offers beer and barbeque.

Virginia Beach - Mar 16-17 - This annual event, the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon Weekend, draws thousands to the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. It's a family affair with the Leprechaun Dash, great entertainment and more.

Marinsville - Mar 23 - The Martinsville Half-Marathon & 5K is run on a certified course. Medals and race swag are given out across twelve age groups, including Clydesdale and Athena divisions.

April

Richmond - Apr 6 - The Virginia War Memorial presents its 2nd Annual 5K Run/Walk to Remember - a way to honor and remember the sacrifices of the United States military personnel. A kids' run and wheelchair race are included.

Richmond - Apr 13 - It brings in thousands. Will you be among the ranks? The Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10K is one of the best races in the country, according to USA Today. Even if you don't run, you'll love watching this race for the costumes, spirit groups, party stops and live music. The post-race party is one of the best social events of the year.

Newport News - Apr 13 - Billed as 'flat and fast,' the State Farm Earth Day 5K is either fun or challenging, depending on what your personal goal is. Bring the work crew or family! Not up for the full 5K? Check out the free Bayport One Mile Fun Run instead.

 

Shenandoah - Apr 13 - Mr. Barry Pangle is in need of a liver transplant and the Barry Pangle Benefit Run 5K benefits him for that need. Sweat it out for a good cause.

Chesapeake - Apr 13 - The Dismal Swamp Stomp Half-Marathon & Children's 1/2 Mile Cub Run is an amazing journey through lush, mysterious landscape rich with history. It's a run you won't soon forget.

Martinsville - Apr 20 - Girls on the Run 5K is a family-friendly run/walk as well as a competitive race. Take to the Dick & Willie Passage for an out-and-back run with pre- and post-race festivities.

Roanoke - Apr 20 - The Blue Ridge Marathon includes five-person team relays, full and half marathon options, a walk half and a YMCA kids' marathon. This is a challenge with total elevation change of more than 7,000' for the full marathon course. Are you ready?

Ashland - Apr 27 - The Ashland Railroad Run is a certified 10K with a 5K run/walk and one-mile kids race. Check out the Green Fair after the race.

Bowling Green - Apr 27 - It's the 6th Annual Festival of Feet Memorial Race - a 5K/10K/Walk/Run in memory of Virginia State Police First Sergeant Mark Haygood. The day is chock full of activities, so plan to stay and relax.

Waynesboro - Apr 27 - The best views of the Shenandoah Valley are promised for the Park to Park Half-Marathon. It traverses gently rolling hills from Ridgeview Park to Stuarts Draft Park, where a post-race party awaits.

May

Richmond - May 4 - The Times-Dispatch Go! Discover Richmond 10K is a WALKING event like none you've seen, so we felt compelled to include it in this list. The RTD promises great surprises like encounters with historical characters of Richmond's past.

Richmond - May 11 - Don't miss the 16th Annual Komen Central Virginia Race for the Cure. The goal is 10,000 participants - will you be one?

 

Richmond - May 17 - Dominion Riverrock is the East Coast's premier outdoor lifestyle festival. Of interest to you, runner, is the Miller Lite Filthy 5K Mud Run. It might be the toughest mud run you'll ever encounter with trudges through the James River, rock-hopping and generally taking on more than just muddy trails and roots. The massive mud pit awaits you at the end, as well as an ice cold Miller Lite, if you're 21 or older, of course.

Fredericksburg - May 19 - The best half-marathon in history is the Marine Corps Historic Half - a 13.1 mile journey through historic downtown Fredericksburg. The weekend features a Healthy Lifestyle Expo and the Semper Fred 5K.

Martinsville - May 26 - If you're up for a rugged trail run, put the Tuff Strutter 5K Trail Run on your calendar. It's paired with Rooster Walk 5, a music and arts festival featuring more than 30 bands and all genres. Your race tickets also gets you into the 11 Sunday concerts at RW5.

Winchester - May 27 - The 25th Annual Loudoun Street Mile includes a fitness walk, kids' mile, tot trot and of course, the men's and women's stages.

June

Hillsboro - Jun 1 - Kick off your June with the Virginia Wine Country Half-Marathon. The course starts and ends at Doukenie Winery and features amazing scenery, historic farms and tree-canopied country lanes. The post-race Wine & Music Festival will include race awards, live entertainment, and great food and wine.

Williamsburg - Jun 1 - "Run where our founding fathers walked" is the slogan for the 3rd Annual Run for the Dream 8K Run/Walk that courses through the campus of The College of William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg. This race has been chosen as the 2013 USA Masters 8K Championship by USA Track & Field. Don't miss the kids' fun run on the same day or the half-marathon on June 2.

Richmond - Jun 6 - The Connects Federal Credit Union 4-Miler is the ultimate team building experience. Bosses can join the CEO division, office teams can take on their across-town rivals, or you all can just run for the fun of it. Post-event fun includes food, drinks and live music. It's Richmond's biggest office party!

Quantico - Jun 8 - Run Amuck is the Marine Corps Marathon Series' muddiest event. Take on a 3.5-mile course of low crawls, berm climbs, water blasts and giant mud pits, all while the U.S. Marine Corps motivates you on.

Richmond - Jun 29 - Take a fun trail and intensify it with obstacles and you'll have the Henricus Dauber Dash. Kids will love the muddy one-miler, so make it a family affair. It's a 'strangely awesome' combination of history, mud, sweat and ... beer.

July

Shenandoah - Jul 13 - The Shenandoah 5-Mile Riverfront Run is a scenic, but challenging course. Non-runners will enjoy the two-mile walk.

Waynesboro - Jul 13 - Hit the streets for a challenging run through the beautiful neighborhoods of Waynesboro for the Summer Extravaganza 5K & 10K. A portion of the race proceeds will benefit Augusta Health Cancer Center Bridge Fund.

August

Axton - Aug 10 - More than a fun name, the Helgamite Hustle Mud Run is a cross-country style 5K course with both natural and man-made obstacles. Mud pits, open fields, steams and woods - that's going to be a course that's anything but ordinary.

Ashland - Aug 24 - Rolling, historic countryside with the beautiful campus of Randolph-Macon College make the Patrick Henry Half-Marathon one you'll want to add to your list.

September

Virginia Beach - Sep 1 - More than 20,000 runners will arrive in Virginia Beach to run the Rock 'n' Roll Half-Marathon along the oceanfront. If you're looking for a course that's flat and fast, this is the one for you.

 

Martinsville - Sep 6 - The Harvest Moon Run 10K is a late race, beginning at 7 p.m. The cool evening will make this one awesome event. Stay for the after-party!

Richmond - Sep 28-29 - Maymont Mansion will shadow the X-Country Festival at Maymont - a beautiful 5K or 8-Miler that courses along fields of bison and deer.

October

Hampton - Oct 6 - Participants of the Peroni Crawlin' Crab Half-Marathon & 5K will make their way past the beautiful waterfront of downtown Hampton, down historic Chesapeake Avenue and back to the Hampton Convention Center where a party atmosphere awaits. It's a family event, so get everyone signed up now!

Waynesboro - Oct 12 - A crisp fall run in the Shenandoah Valley might be just what you need. See the leaves changing beautifully when you run the Fall Foliage 5K & 10K!

Richmond - Oct 26 - This one's for the kids! Register now for the Call Federal Credit Union Marathon Jr. - a selection of .5-mile, 1-mile or 2-mile courses through Richmond's Byrd Park.

Arlington - Oct 27 - Register fast for the Marine Corps Marathon! Last year this race filled up in under three hours (registration available March 27). The course starts and finishes at the Iwo Jima Memorial, but you'll also enjoy views of the Pentagon, Capitol, Lincoln, Jefferson, Korean and Vietnam Memorials. The Marine Corps Marathon is the 5th largest in the nation and 8th largest in the world.

November

Lexington - Nov 9 - The Lexington/Buena Vista 10K is the oldest road race in Virginia. Kick it off in historic Lexington and finish it at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Buena Vista.

Richmond - Nov 16 - Richmond has diverse neighborhoods and you'll get to see them when you run the Anthem Richmond Marathon this year. You'll love the unique stops along the way, like junk food and wet washcloths. Your finish line experience will include hot pizza and a massage! Runner's World calls it "America's Friendliest Marathon!" 

Richmond - Nov 16 - The 13.1 runners can sign up for the American Family Fitness Half-Marathon rather than the Anthem Richmond Marathon, if they wish. It's still an amazing run through historic Richmond neighborhoods.

Richmond - Nov 16 - Not quite ready for the half or 26.2? Check out the HCA Virginia 8K run in conjunction with the Anthem Richmond Marathon.

Quantico - Nov 23 - Launch a preemptive turkey day calorie strike with the Turkey Trot 10K at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico. Kids can even take part, as there is a Turkey Trot Mile for them.

Martinsville - Nov 28 - The Turkey Day 5K and Family Fun Run is all about fun. Dress up, if you wish, or just run your best race and be awarded with fabulous Thanksgiving-themed prizes (turkey baster, anyone?). Bring an item for the food pantry to celebrate the day of giving thanks.

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