Night Train 50K and Half Marathon
Farmville, United States • 20 Jun 2026
Event Overview
The Night Train 50k and Half Marathon returns for its 9th year. It offers several race distances: a 50K, a Half Marathon, and a 5K. There are also hiker-friendly options for the Half Marathon and 5K distances, as well as a new Family 5K option for 2026.
Course Details
The race takes place on an old rail trail through the countryside at High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville, Virginia. The course passes fields, small towns, and historic Farmville. All races start and end at Camp Paradise, with every runner finishing by crossing a bridge. The 50K distance is noted as being slightly longer than the standard 50K, closer to 32 miles.
The 5K course involves traveling 1.55 miles over the bridge, turning around, and returning. For the Half Marathon and 50K, runners travel 5.3 miles to the first aid station in downtown Farmville. Half Marathon runners then go another 1.3 miles to a turnaround and return. 50K runners continue to the Tuggle Aid Station (5.7 miles further), then 3 more miles to the Prospect aid station, and 1 mile past to a turnaround before retracing their steps. Crews can access runners at the downtown Farmville, Tuggle, and Prospect aid stations.
Race Logistics
The event features chip timing. Women participants receive a tank top, and men receive t-shirts. All finishers receive an award, with prizes for the top three runners of each gender in each race. A new award for "most Patriotic runner" for each gender will also be given. Discounts are available for law enforcement, fire, EMS, teachers, and nurses using a provided code.
The race is cupless; runners must bring their own portable cup. All runners are required to carry water, with a recommendation of at least 20 ounces; failure to do so leads to disqualification. Aid stations are noted as having extended distances between them. The event offers in-race distance changes, allowing 50K runners to drop to the half marathon and half marathon runners to drop to the 5K. Gluten-free options will be available at aid stations.
Additional Challenge
A separate "High Bridge Challenge" is promoted, involving completion of both the Night Train event and the Freight Train event in December for a special award. It includes combo distance options like a 26k Combo, Marathon Combo, 100k Combo, and 150k Combo. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.