Into the Darkness Night Trail Run

Into the Darkness Night Trail Run

Into the Darkness is a night trail event held at Virginia's Explore Park with a course that is new for this edition. The route follows the Mountain Bike Nationals XCO course in reverse. After a short paved approach, participants run on twisty, rolling single track for the remainder of the event. Trails will be marked with reflective arrows, glow sticks, and occasional trail decor; signage and markers are intended to help runners stay on course.

A light source is mandatory. Organizers recommend carrying both a headlamp for forward visibility and a handheld flashlight for depth perception, and advise testing chosen lights under similar conditions before the event. Management will not provide headlamps or flashlights.

Packet pickup will be available at Gilbert Chiropractic on 10/22 and at Explore Park on race day. Race headquarters and parking are located at the Explore Park event area with parking arranged in the gravel lot across from the HQ and the park's main asphalt lot.

Awards are given to the top three overall male and female finishers for each race and medals are presented to the top three finishers in each age group. Age brackets for male and female categories span from 9 and under through 70 and over. Event rules require visible race numbers, following the marked trail, courteous passing, low headphone volume, and no dogs on course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.