Description
The Freight Train 50k/100k is a companion race to the summertime Night Train 50k. It covers the same course but takes place on December 10th, 2022. The course features a 50k and 100k option. This year we have also added a Half Marathon option. The race begins at 7:30am for the 100k and 8:30 for the 50k and ends at 1am on the 13th. The half marathon begins at 9am. There is a 18 hour time limit for the 100k. There is a 17 hour time limit for 50k runners as well. This makes it a great choice for first time ultra runners. All runners will pass over the famed “High Bridge” twice during their run.
Course Description
100k
The race begins at 7:30 on December 11th, 2021. The start and finish line will be the farmer’s market in downtown Farmville. Runners will travel east from Farmville. They will continue a total of 8.2 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 30.2 miles 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 5.7 miles. They will then travel another 3.9 miles to Prospect, the next aid station. From Prospect they will travel 6.7 miles to the trails 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 32.4 miles.
50k
This route will follow the route of Night Train. Runners will run from Farmville to Rice. 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 4pm so I can shut down that half of the course.
Half Marathon
Participants begin at 9am. 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.
Aid Stations
| Aid Station | Open Time | Close Time | Mileage | Cutoff |
| Farmville | 7:30am | 1am | 0.0 | 1am (100k) |
| Rice | 8:15am | 2pm | 8.2 | No |
| Farmville (Halfway) | 7:30am | 1am | 30/62.4 | Yes ( 4pm for 100k) |
| Tuggle | 10:30am | 11:30pm | 35.7/56.7 | No |
| Prospect | 11:45am | 10:15pm | 39.5/52.9 | Yes (10:15pm) |
| Pamplin City | 1:15pm | 8:45pm | 46.2 | Yes (8:30pm) |
| Orchard Road | 9am | 12:30pm | 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 Elam (6.5 miles). Crew members will be able to access their runners at multiple points on these stretches. 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.
All of the aid stations will have typical Ultra food. Bananas, Oranges, PB&J, Salty food, gummy food, water and Heed. Broth will be available at Rice, Farmville, Tuggle and Pamplin City. Pizza will be available at Farmville for lunch.
Runner Tracking
Runners will be tracked as they come into each aid station. Any issues will be elevated to the Race Director at the start/finish line. Runners not meeting the cutoff times in the chart above will be pulled from the course.
Pacers/Crew
Pacers will be allowed for the 100k at any point after they return to Farmville. Pacers are also allowed for the 50k as runners return from Tuggle. This is the last 5.7 miles of the course. All pacers will sign a waiver. In addition to the manned aid stations above Crew can access their runners at Elam and Camp Paradise. Runners older than 60 years old who wish to have a pacer for a longer period may do so by contacting the Race Director ahead of time. Crew members should park in designated spaces only. Crew can access runners at any
Drop Bags
Drop bags for the 50k runners will be available at Farmville (halfway point) and Tuggle. Drop bags for the 100k runners will be available at Orchard Road, Farmville (halfway point) and Prospect.
Course Marking
There is no need to mark the course aside from the turnaround points. This will be at Osborne Road (50k) and Trail’s end at Burkeville.
Restrooms
It is not anticipated that any additional restrooms will be needed. Preexisting restrooms will be used along the trail.
Runner Safety/Severe Weather/Medical
Prince Edward EMS will be on standby during the race. All manned aid stations will have a first aid kit. In the event of severe weather the race director reserves the right to postpone the race. It is understood that once runners are on the course they may have to make a decision to shelter or carry on depending on their location. 50k runners do not need to carry a light source. 100k runners will need to have a light source with them no later than when they leave Tuggle outbound from Farmville.
There will be law enforcement at the River Road Crossing and the start line as those are busy road crossings.
Food
Typical Ultra fare will be provided at every manned aid station. Hot broth/soup will also be provided at each aid station. Lunch/dinner food will be provided at Farmville and Pamplin City. Heartier fare will be served around lunch and dinner at Downtown Farmville. All of the afternoon aid stations will have broth
Awards
Prizes will be awarded to the top 3 runners of each gender for each distance. Every finisher will receive an award.
Shirts
Hoodies will be provided for every runner signing up prior to November 1st
Cost
The entry fee for the 50k will be $75 after March 1st. The entry fee for the 100k will be $110. The half marathon costs $45.
Hotel
We will have a great discount arranged with the Hotel Weyanoke. It is within walking distance of the start/finish. It features boutique rooms and a rooftop bar. There is a Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Tru by Hilton also in town
Discounts
As always, military, fire, law enforcement, EMS, nurses and teachers receive a discount. Enter the code “THANKS” when you sign up for a discount.
Refunds
As you can imagine, putting on an event that covers the entire length of a 31 mile trail can be a costly endeavor. As such, I cannot offer refunds. I can offer you a chance of deferring to the next year or transferring to another one of my events. Finally, this is a winter Ultra. We intend to run in the weather. In the event of a severe snowstorm we do reserve the right to move the event to the 17th.
High Bridge Challenge
Want more? Step up to the plate with the High Bridge Challenge. Run both the Night Train and Freight Train Half Marathons (26.2 miles total), 50k’s (100k total) or 50k and 100k (Night Train 50k and Freight Train 100k) in the same calendar year. Participants completing both will receive a special award at the conclusion of their Freight Train Distance. If you plan to complete the challenge, enter “CHALLENGE” as a discount code when signing up for Freight Train for 15% off. There is no additional cost (aside from signing up for each race). Participants must sign up (for tracking purposes) on the High Bridge Challenge registration page
