18th Annual
Women’s Half Marathon Trail Run
September 12, 2009
This low-key event is sponsored by the Virginia Happy Trails Running Club to encourage women to participate in trail running. Many of the organized trail races held in the area each year involve much longer distances, so this is an opportunity to learn if this form of running appeals to you. Trail running is slower than running on pavement or asphalt, but it engages so many more of your senses. So plan to kick back, enjoy the scenery, watch your footing, stay on the course, and remember...
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
- Helen Keller
Initial Application for Entry is Closed. Come back and pay on July 8. More Information
Time and Place:
Race starts at 8:30 am on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at Fountainhead Regional Park in Fairfax County, Virginia. Fountainhead Regional Park skirts the shore of the Occoquan Reservoir and is the southernmost trail head for the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail. Directions
2008 Women's Half Marathon
2008 Winner Andrea Hack
Andrea Hack, 39, from Alexandria, Virginia, held off Michele Harmon by 9 seconds to win the 2008 VHTRC Women's Half Marathon Trail Run held in Fountainhead Regional Park. The weather was very warm and humid making for a tough day for many runners. Fortunately, the course is in the woods so that the runners only got direct sun as they crossed the finish line.
Results and photos are available on the 2008 Report Page. Relive the fun of the dirt, humidity, and mud!
Cut-off Time:
The course will close at 12:30 pm. To ensure that runners will finish by then, we will have an intermediate cut-off time of 10:45 A.M. at the Fountainhead aid station. If you arrive after this time, you will not be allowed to continue as an official entrant.
Course:
Forested, rolling terrain through the woods, primarily single-track dirt trail. Storms immediately preceding the event will affect stream crossings and some sections of the trail. We will use the same course as has been used in the last few years. Course Description and Map
Medical Issues:
This is an event with risks. You are responsible for your own safety. We do not provide any medical care during the run. No doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians are available along the course, at any aid station, or at the finish. In case of an emergency, we will endeavor to get local emergency personnel to an injured runner as soon as possible. Some runners finish, or drop out, with scrapes or sprains. Among injuries that have occurred at past events are cuts, bruises, bee stings, and asthma attacks. Please be careful! Be prepared! Most of all - Be Safe! You will be required to sign a liability release form at packet pick-up.
On the trail
Practice Runs:
Practice runs will be held on the course on Saturdays, August 8 and August 29. The runs begin from the race start location, the parking lot at Fountainhead, at 8:30 A.M. All interested runners, whether or not they are entered in the race, are invited. It is possible to run varying distances: 6, 8, 10, 13 miles or longer. The practice runs are very informal and the pace is relaxed. If you are interested in doing a practice run, or you are interested in volunteering to lead a group on one of the runs, contact the race director. Light refreshments will be served.
Registration:
Registration is now open. Our registration is a two step process. You sign up between June 25 and July 1. You then come back between July 8 and 14 to pay. If too many people sign up, we will determine who may pay by means of a lottery. We are limited to 240 entrants. Any applicants above 240 may go on the waiting list. All payment is on line, and there is not additional fee for it. Start Entry
The Registration fee is $35 and is not transferable, but we will issue refunds, less $5, to those who withdraw by September 1. Vacancies on the entrants list will be filled from a waiting list. No changes to the entrants list will be permitted after September 2, and there is no race day registration. For questions about registration, contact Lucia Davidson
On the trail
Packet Pickup:
The packet pick-up will be at the race site from 7:15 A.M. until 8:15 A.M. on Saturday, September 12. Each registered runner will be required to sign for her race packet.
Race Premium:
Each participant will receive a Patagonia Women's Capilene 1 Long-Sleeve Crew - Made from light-weight performance polyester that's 100% recycled. It is quick to wick, fast to dry, and can be worn beneath layers or on its own for comfort and sun protection when temperatures rise. The rib-knit collar is soft against the skin, and the shirt has a cut that's long enough to tuck in. It's also recyclable through Patagonia's Common Threads Recycling Program.
Awards and Prizes:
Awards will be given to the top three finishers and the first VHTRC member to finish. Additional award categories include: under 20, over 60, and 5-year age groups in between. The top three mother/daughter teams will also receive awards. Finishers must be present to receive their awards.
Mother/Daughter Team Competition:
We are recognizing the mother/daughter runners again this year with a special "team" competition. This is a chance to convince your mother or your daughter to run the race. Combined times will be used to calculate the winners. For example, if one member of the team finishes in 2:30 and the other in 3:30, the two times will be added together for a combined time of 6 hours. The team with the lowest combined time will receive first place. You can run together or separately. Each mother/daughter team member must indicate the other member of her team on her race application. You can't form a team on race day.
The finish
Volunteers Needed:
Without our wonderful volunteers each year, we wouldn't have a race. We need people to "man" aid stations, mark trail, help with registration, work the finish line, transport water, organize the awards, and of course, continue the time-honored tradition of singing a rousing rendition of the club's theme song "Happy Trails" at the race start. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out the Volunteer Form which is coming soon.
For More Information:
Contact the race director, Melania Saraniero. For questions related to registration and the registration process, contact Lucia Davidson.
Race Results:
Results will be posted on this Web site following the race. (2008 Report, results, and photos.)
Directions to Fountainhead Regional Park:
For directions to Fountainhead Regional Park where the start and finish of the event is, go here. We encourage and recommend carpooling.
A happy start!
Photo: Keith Knipling
PHOTO CREDITS: All photos on this page were taken by Aaron Schwartzbard unless otherwise noted.