April 6, 2024
King George, Virginia

 
 

Volunteer to help!

 

Highlights from the 2023 Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run (3/11/23).

We’re proud to have earned a GOLD badge from RaceCheck for athlete reviews two years in a row. For 2023, we were the #5 top-rated off-road event in the world!

Despite the less than ideal weather, the 2022 race was one of all time favorite running experiences.
— Michael B.

One of the favorite events of my 20-year running career!
— 2020 survey feedback

Looking for a fun and unique running challenge? You’ve found it! The Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run is an untimed, 14-mile point-to-point run in rural King George, Virginia, benefiting local children in need. It starts at a Sheetz convenience store in the heart of the county, meanders through farmland and forest, and ends at another Sheetz store in the town of Dahlgren. The vast majority of the course is along the secluded Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT), a flat rails-to-trails project. Shuttle buses are provided to transport runners to the start line from designated parking near the finish line in Dahlgren.

While we do offer cool awards for the top male, female and canine finishers, this laid back event really encourages runners to slow down and enjoy unique aid stations serving up pie, s’mores, Peeps, hot cider, soft pretzels, doughnuts, and other unexpected treats. Finish our race and you'll earn swag you’ll actually use including an insulated travel mug filled with Sheetz Bros. coffee and vouchers for delicious Sheetz Made-To-Order (MTO) food and drink!

Fun! Fun! Fun! Highly recommended!
— Chris D.

We are a Cupless Race!

We are extremely proud to promote sustainability by being a cupless race! Instead of disposable cups and bottles that are impossible or costly to recycle, all participants will receive a reusable HydraPak SpeedCup, the best-selling collapsible race cup. This change allows us to eliminate over 1,200 single-use cups and bottles a year while still efficiently providing on-course hydration.

Want more details on how it works? Check out the “Cupless Racing” section of the FAQs!

Course

Click to enlarge course map

Our 14-mile course starts at the King George Middle School (KGMS) Sheetz (Store #573, 8206 Kings Highway) and ends at the Dahlgren Sheetz (Store #259, 17188 Owens Drive). The King George Sheriff's Office will escort us the first 1.4 miles westward along Route 3 and Comorn Road (Route 609). Then we'll hang a right and go off-road for the final 12.6 miles along the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail (DRHT). This rails-to-trail is flat, straight, and well-marked with a surface varying from dirt to gravel. It meanders through farmland and wetlands and crosses a few country roads along the way to Dahlgren. We'll have 3 aid stations along the way:

  • Mile 3.14 (pi): Pie and water

  • Mile 6.2 (campsite): S’mores, Peeps, Rice Krispies Treats, hot cider, hot chocolate, water, Tailwind, and a porta john

  • Mile 10.2 (Meadows neighborhood): Fruit snacks, water

  • New! Mile 12.5 (Little Ark Baptist Church): Pretzels, water, and a porta john

Definitely planning to make this a yearly must-do on my race calendar.
— 2021 survey feedback

Transportation

Remember this is a point-to-point race. You are asked to park in Dahlgren (near the finish) at the King George Gateway Shopping Center where shuttle buses will transport you 15 minutes to the start line. (There are several hotels at this location as well.) When you finish, you can simply walk a quarter mile to your car following a well-marked trail or hop aboard the Bayside Ford courtesy shuttle. If you opt to arrange your own transportation and need to park near the start, please park at King George Middle School.  Either way, please do not park at either Sheetz store or O’Reilly Auto Parts.

 

swag (stuff we all get)

For finishing most races you earn a medal you throw in a drawer. Boring! Finish the Sheetz-to-Sheetz Trail Run and you'll earn great, practical swag including a Sheetz insulated travel mug, vouchers for free Sheetz food and drink, custom sweat towel, HydraPak SpeedCup, snacks, and a drawstring bag to carry it all in! Heck, we'll even fill your new mug with free coffee and feed you doughnuts, fresh fruit, and other treats at the finish line! (Better wear your buffet shorts.)

The swag bag was a wealth of amazing goodies!
— 2020 survey feedback
I was blown away by the amount of swag at this event. Much more than most races I do and it was all useful stuff!
— 2019 survey feedback

Awards

This is an untimed fun run so we encourage everyone to take their time and enjoy the trail, fun aid stations, and overall experience. However, we also realize it may be a training run for competitive runners. For the first male and female finishers, we'll offer a $75 gift certificate to Lucky Road Run Shops, a $75 gift certificate to Highmark Brewery, and a cool custom trophy! Running with Fido? All canine finishers get their own finisher bag, and the first to finish earns the custom “Top Dog” trophy and other prizes (TBD)!

This race is for a great cause and perfect for beginner trail runners!
— Staci R.

Proceeds Benefit local children in need!

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This is a community fun run, so we're all about giving back to the community. We're proud to partner with Sheetz For the Kidz® to support children in the King George region. This employee-led charity provides support, hope, joy, and happiness to children in need in the communities where Sheetz operates. Every December, this charity enables each store to sponsor 16 children with toys, clothes, and basic necessities. King George’s 3 stores directly support 48 children right here in our community! For more information on our commitment and history of community giving, visit our Giving Back page.

It is one of my favorite events. It is fun, relaxing and overall, a hoot!
— 2021 survey feedback

Sponsors

This event would not be possible without generous support from our sponsors!