Face the Forest 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
About this race
*Note: The Poplar Forest Parkway off Enterprise Dr. will be closed on race day. All participants must enter via our service entrance at:
687 Poplar Forest Dr.
Forest, VA 24551
Written directions to Service Entrance can be found at https://www.poplarforest.org/visit/the-retreat/directions/
DescriptionAre you up for an adventure? Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way!
Entry fees will support educational programming at Poplar Forest.
Registration InformationRegister early and save! Registration fees increase to $50 on July 25, 2026.
Late registration and day-of registration fees increase to $60 beginning on Thursday, August 14th.
Race Day registration will be available beginning at 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 15th. T-shirts will ONLY be guaranteed to those who registered before July 25th. All others will be invited to come back immediately after the race and claim their t-shirts. First come, first served.
Elite Runners and Teams - The first four waves of the race are reserved for Elite (or competitive) runners. Participants will compete for cash prizes and free entry into next year’s race. Elite runners must complete all obstacles (completion will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle) to qualify for prizes.
Corporate Teams and Elite Teams - Teams of 5-8 participants complete for the chance to win prizes. Teams are not required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive one finishing time for the last member of the team who crosses the finish line.
Non-Competitive Waves - These waves begin at 8:20 a.m. These waves are designed for the vast majority of racers. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash and prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. If you want to race with a specific person, please make sure you register in the same wave time. We cannot guarantee we can move you to another wave time.
Please make sure all participants you wish to race with choose the same wave time. Register early as once a wave time is filled, it will disappear! (20-person limit per wave time). Race organizers cannot guarantee the addition of runners to team waves who did not register with the team.
Packet Pick UpPacket Pickup will be held at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest’s Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr. Forest, VA 24551) from 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 4-6 pm on Friday, August 14th.
We highly encourage everyone, if able, to pick up your packet on Friday, August 14th at Poplar Forest. Once you have picked up your packet, there is no need to “check-in” at the registration table on the day of the race. This will alleviate the congestion and lines at the registration and packet pick-up tables. If
you pick up your packet on Friday, please just meet us at the starting line 10-15 minutes before your starting wave time. If you are unable to pick up your packet on Friday, we will have pickup starting at 6:30 am on Saturday, August 15th.
All Corporate teams should plan to send ONE representative from each team to pick up their entire team's packet on Friday, August 16th during the times listed. We will “pre-pull” all corporate team packets to make a quick and easy pick-up.
Pick your distance
Obstacle race
Individual Elite/Competitive: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
The first 2 heats are reserved for Elite or competitive runners and will be the first to run on race morning. Participants are competing for overall cash prize and free entry to next year's race. Obstacle completion is required and will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle.
Team Elite/Competitive: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
Groups of friends, families, co-workers and more must work together as they race through the 3.1 mile course in Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Teams of 5-8 participants will compete for the chance to win a prize. (TBD) Teams are NOT required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive ONE finishing time for the last member of their team when that person crosses the finish line.
Corporate Team: 5K (Use CORPORATE TEAM Tab on Left Menu to Register)
Groups of co-workers must work together as they race through the 3.1 mile course in Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Teams of 5-8 participants will compete for the chance to win a prize - a VIP table for up to 8 participants at the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival on 11-9-24. Teams are NOT required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top! Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive ONE finishing time for the last member of their team when that person crosses the finish line. Registration for this category includes the following: Entry fees for 5-8 participants, sponsorship of the event including your organization/company logo on our race shirt as well as other marketing pieces, and informational booth at the event on race day (optional).
8:20 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optionals and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:25 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:30AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:35 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:40 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:45 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:50 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
8:55 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:00 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:05 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:10 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:15 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:20 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:25 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:30 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:35 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
9:40 AM Wave: Non-competitive Individual
These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 9 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Lynchburg, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 6:32 AM and sets at 8:09 PM local time (EDT) in Lynchburg on August 15, 2026 — 13h 36m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
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Reindeer Run 2 Miler
Lynchburg Turkey Trot presented by Scott Insurance - 5K Run & Walk
Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 22 Lynchburg events
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