Dismal Swamp 50K

Dismal Swamp event overview

The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp race day in Chesapeake, VA, features multiple running and walking events on USATF certified courses. The event offers a mix of individual and team options with aid stations and postrace items for finishers.

• 50K
• Marathon (26.2 miles)
• Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
• 50K Relay
• Half Marathon Walkers (13.1 miles)

The 50K uses an out-and-back loop of 3.88 miles each way, completed four times. The marathon course is a certified Boston qualifier route consisting of a 6.55-mile out and 6.55-mile back loop; the marathon comprises two loops and the half marathon one loop. A nine-hour time limit applies to the event.

Aid and nutrition include a full aid station at the start/finish after every loop with food, water, and nutrition drinks. Additional water stations are placed along the marathon and half marathon courses; marathon runners encounter them multiple times and the half marathon uses several stops. When the marathon stations are removed, an unmanned water station remains near the 50K turnaround.

Finishers receive event apparel and medals: the 50K includes a hoodie, and the marathon and half marathon include long-sleeve shirts. Boston qualifiers receive a special BQ shirt. The event also offers on-site and pre-race packet pickup, team registration for relays with two to four members, awards by overall and age group, and an elite entry option for runners meeting recent qualifying times. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.