Race Details
The Noland Trail 50K Relay offers runners the opportunity to race the ONLY event run on the beautiful Noland Trail in The Mariners’ Museum Park. Runners can team up with friends and conquer these challenging distances as a team.
50K Relay teams may have 2-6 members. To achieve the 50K distance, runners will run 6 laps on the trail meaning for a 6-person relay team, each runner will run one lap. Teams made up of less than 6 runners will still need to complete the 6 laps, but can decide on their own who will complete each lap.
Runners will be required to submit a projected pace for the run. Using this pace, runners/teams will start at various times throughout the morning beginning at 7:30AM. The intent is that all runners/teams will complete the run between 12:30PM-3:00PM.
Registration is limited to the first 500 registrants.
How It Works
Relay teams consist of 2–6 members. Each team may decide how to divide the laps among its members. Laps must be completed one at a time, with only one team member on the course at any given time. As long as all six laps are completed, teams may complete them in any order or distribution they choose. Start times for relay teams will be assigned based on the average of the individual times submitted by team members.
Need a Team? We Can Help!
Simply register as 50K Find Me a Team at registration and we will randomly assign you teammates. Those choosing this option will not be able to make any special requests, the team assignments will be done completely at random. In order for us to assign teammates in an orderly fashion, solo runners in search of a team must register by October 20. Once teams are assigned, we will put you in contact with the team captain.
Flat-Out Events is not responsible and does not guarantee teammates will show up on race day.
50K Relay Participants Receive:
• Race Shirt
• Custom finisher’s medal
• Chip-timed race
• Entrance to the Mariners’ Park Fall Festival
Course Information
The course takes place on the Noland Trail inside Mariners’ Museum Park in Newport News, VA.
Lap Distance: Due to the location of the start/finish area, all laps will not be equal in distance. The breakdown is as follows:
50K Relay:
• Lap 1- 5.30 miles
• Laps 2-5- 5.25 miles
• Final Lap- 5.16 miles
Race organizers will define turns and ambiguous areas to ensure runners run the desired path. For training purposes, runners should plan to mostly run on the defined portion of the trail and not the side areas.
Aid Stations
There will be two on-course aid stations located approximately at miles 1.5 and 3. Race organizers will manage aid stations to keep products ready and available, but stations will be self-serve for runners. Various fluids and snack-type foods will be provided at aid stations. More details will be provided in the runner information sent out a few weeks prior to the event date.
Portable Toilets
For your convenience and use during the race, portable toilets will be available at every aid station as well at near the start/finish area.
RACE REQUIREMENTS
Age Requirement
There is no age requirement to participate in the 50K Relay. If you are running more than 1 leg and are under 18 years old, please email us.
Pace Requirement
The Noland Trail Marathon has an 8-hour time limit which starts at 7:30AM. This translates into a 15:15 minute per mile pace requirement for participants. Those finishing after the finish line has closed will not receive published finish times. They will still receive their finisher’s medal.
Packet Pick-Up
Participants can attend packet pick-up at Tortuga Field on November 6 (10:00AM-5:00PM) to receive their bib and shirt. If you are picking up a packet for another runner you must fill out and bring this authorization form. Race day packet pick-up is also available.
Finisher Items
Finisher medals will be distributed to finishers during the race. None of these items will be mailed to registrants who did not participate.
Trail Etiquette
A key component of this event will be that participants are aware of their surroundings, and considerate of their fellow runners. We encourage all participants to run to the right of the trail when possible, allowing passing runners by on your left. When necessary, runners should communicate with one another using terms like “on your left” or “runner left”. We anticipate that staggering the start times for different paces will help with congestion on the trail, but runners will need to take some responsibility in this effort as well.
OTHER INFORMATION
TORTUGA
Athletes will have an opportunity to set up “camp” around the start/finish/exchange zone area. Obviously, this will be a long day regardless if you are running solo or as a team. Athletes are allowed to bring 10×10 tents to the athlete area and set up a space to hang out, relax and recover in for the day. We encourage this as we want this area to be energetic and alive throughout the day. Teams are encouraged to arrive together and cheer one another on. We do ask that you limit tents to 1 per team to ensure we have enough space for everyone. Set up will be available Friday, November 6 from 10AM-6PM on a first-come, first-serve basis.
GEAR CHECK
We encourage athletes to use the team space in Tortuga. For Solo runners, there will be an area adjacent to the Exchange Zone that will serve as your Gear Check Area.
If you or your team would like to leave nutrition, hydration, or bags – they can be left at Gear Check & easily accessible at the conclusion of each lap.
