Event Description
🌲 The Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler 🦫
Hosted by the =PR= Run Club
• Location: Pocahontas State Park (Virginia’s largest state park!)
• Date: National Public Lands Day — Saturday, September 26
• Time: 8:00 AM (Check-in begins at 7:00 AM near the Welcome Center)
Bringing the Community Together:
At the heart of the =PR= Run Club, we believe that running is about connection—connecting with each other, with nature, and with the beautiful spaces we share. Pocahontas State Park is a legendary local training ground, but it is incredibly rare to get the chance to lace up, pin on a bib, and actually race here.
We are so deeply grateful to the teams at Chesterfield Parks & Recreation and Pocahontas State Park for their incredible support of outdoor activities and for opening up these trails to our community. This event is a true celebration of partnership, stewardship, and our shared love for the outdoors.
The Course
We’ll be circumventing the iconic Beaver Lake, taking you on a scenic tour of wide, highly runnable fire roads and beautiful sections of single-track, mixed with two short, technical sections to keep you on your toes. With some rolling hills to test your gears, this 4-mile cross-country themed footrace is the perfect blend of fast and gritty morning miles.
Why You Can't Miss This:
• Zero Parking Fees: Because it’s National Public Lands Day, park entry and parking are completely FREE all day long!
• The Ultimate Outdoor Doubleheader: This race is proudly associated with the Chesterfield Outdoor Fest, which kicks off right inside the park from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM. Run your heart out in the morning, grab some breakfast, and stay to enjoy the festival and celebrate our public lands with the whole family.
• Altra Footwear is Onsite: Our friends from Altra Running will be hanging out with a full demo fleet! You can test-drive their latest road and trail models before, during, or after the race to feel that signature foot-shaped toe box on the dirt.
• The Hardware: We’ll be celebrating the swift feet at the front with awards for the Top 3 Overall Male & Female Finishers, as well as the Top Age Group Winners. Also, some runners will be selected throughout the pack for a random gift card giveaway to the =PR= Run & Walk - Midlothian shop.
Logistics & Parking
Packet Pickup: Swing by =PR= Run & Walk all day on Friday, September 25th to grab your bib early. If you can't make it then, onsite packet pickup will be available race morning from 7:00 AM – 7:45 AM near the State Park Visitors Center.
• Race Day Check-In & Start: Onsite check-in near the Visitors Center and starting line closes at 7:45 AM, and the race starts promptly at 8:00 AM. Arrive early to park, grab your packet, and get warmed up.
• Parking: There is plenty of space available! Drive all the way to the large parking lot at the end of State Park Road—from there, it’s just a short, easy walk straight to check-in.
🌍 Sustainability Disclaimer
To honor National Public Lands Day and minimize our footprint on the environment, The Beaver Tail Trail 4-Miler is a completely cupless race.
Plenty of water and hydration will be fully available at the start/finish area, but we ask that you bring your own handheld bottle, vest, or reservoir to carry water with you if you need hydration during the actual 4-mile run. Let’s work together to keep Pocahontas State Park beautiful and litter-free!
Come out early, celebrate our public lands, and start your weekend on the trails with the =PR= Run Club family. Let’s show our appreciation for the amazing parks that keep our community moving. See you at the starting line!
