Training Runs

Join one (or all!) of our three training runs to experience the course before the big day! Runners who complete all three training runs will complete about 98.2% of the Bull Run Run course prior to race day. However, all runners are welcome to join, whether you’re in the race or not.

Please note that these runs are self-supported and the route will not be marked. There are usually enough people that you won’t be alone. Since the runs are out-and-back, you can run as much, or as little, as you’d like. The RD might bring a few treats to share along the way.

Don’t forget about other VHTRC events along the course!
There is one other free VHTRC event that is supported on the Bull Run Run course: the VHTRC’s annual Magnus Gluteus Maximus 50k (MGM 50k). This run course covers most of the final two-thirds of the BRR 50 miler course on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail and on the horse trails of Fountainhead Regional Park that are fondly referred to as the Do Loop.

Questions? Comments? Smart remarks regarding the training runs? Contact Lauren; we look forward to seeing new friends and old out on the BROT this winter!

Note: The 2026 training run dates are as follows (we’ll update the chart below soon):

BRR Training Run #1 (The North): Saturday, Jan. 26
BRR Training Run #2 (Death x Do Loop with the DC Capital Striders Wolfpack): Saturday, Feb. 14 <3
BRR Training Run #3 (The South) Saturday, Mar. 7

2026 training runs

BRR Training Run #1 (The North)

Sat Jan 25, 2025

17.25 miles

Come out and get some easy rolling miles on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail! Starting at the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park trailhead at the end of Yates Ford Road at 8 am, this run will cover the northern section of the course that makes up the first 17 miles of the BRR 50 Miler.

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Death By Do Loop

Sat Feb 15, 2025

7 miles

Since it can be easy for the uninitiated to get lost, “Death by Do Loop” is a chance to become familiar with this section of the Bull Run Run 50 mile course, while seeing how many laps you can do.

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BRR Training Run #3 (The North - part 2)

Sat Mar 1, 2025

17.25 miles

Note location change for 2025: This final run in the three run series of training events for the Bull Run Run 50 Miler with start at the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park trailhead at the end of Yates Ford Road. This run will cover the northern section of the course that makes up the first 17 miles of the BRR 50 Miler.

More information