Magnus Gluteus Maximus

Magnus Gluteus Maximus

Magnus Gluteus Maximus is the VHTRC’s annual holiday-time 50k run held from Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. The course is an out and back along the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail, with a total ascent and descent of about 4,000 feet. The event name is Latin for “Fat Ass.”

The route follows the blue-blazed Bull Run-Occoquan Trail downstream to Fountainhead Regional Park and then onto the Do Loop. The event does not use the White Loop, does not use Fountainhead mountain bike trails, and does not go upstream from Hemlock. Participants are instructed not to cross a stream on concrete cylinders. The trail will be lightly marked; a GPX file is available to confirm the route.

There are four aid stations roughly at miles 5, 11.5, 18.5, and 25, located at Bull Run Marina and Fountainhead. Runners pass each aid station twice on the out and the return legs. Aid stations will offer water, sports drink, soda, and other typical supplies, but there will be no disposable cups, so runners must carry a bottle or reusable cup.

Entry requires a $20 fee, which covers lodge access and restrooms at Hemlock, stocked aid stations, and a catered after party. Entry opens on November 9, 2026. Parking at Hemlock can be tight; organizers will use campus parking and direct vehicles. Do not park in the nearby Paradise Springs winery lot or in Yates Ford Road areas marked for hikers.

The club does not provide on-course medical care. Participants are responsible for their own health and safety. Medical assistance in emergencies will rely on local emergency services. Historical participation shows finish rates around 50 percent, reflecting that many runners choose shorter distances on this flexible course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.