Face the Forest 5k (Obstacle Course Race)

Face the Forest 5K (Obstacle Course Race)

Face the Forest is an obstacle course run through Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation covering 3.1 miles with natural terrain and mud at some obstacles. The event offers multiple race categories including individual elite/competitive, team elite/competitive, corporate teams, and a series of non-competitive waves.

Elite heats are reserved for competitive runners and include cash prizes and free entry to next year’s race; elite participants must complete all obstacles, and completion is monitored by race volunteers. Team categories are for groups of 5 to 8 participants; teams compete for prizes, individual finishing times are not provided, and each team receives one finishing time based on the last team member to cross the line. Non-competitive waves make obstacles optional and carry no penalties for noncompletion; participants who wish to start together should register in the same wave time and note that waves have limited capacity.

Entry fees support educational programming at Poplar Forest. Registration fees increase to $50 on July 25, 2026, with late and day-of registration fees increasing further on August 13, 2026. Packet pickup is held at the Poplar Forest Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr., Forest, VA 24551) the day before the race in multiple sessions; organizers encourage picking up packets the day before to reduce race-day congestion.

Note that Poplar Forest Parkway off Enterprise Drive will be closed on race day; all participants must enter via the service entrance at 687 Poplar Forest Dr. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.