New River Trail Races

38th Annual

Galax Autumn Days 5k Run

STARTING TIMES

10:00 am - 5K Run (3.1 miles)

9:00 am - 1-Mile Race for kids 12 & under

REGISTRATION

8:00 - 9:45 am Saturday, October 17, 2026 in the gymnasium at Felts’ Park. 5K Run registration closes promptly at 9:45 am and for the 1-Mile Kid’s Race at 8:45 am.

ENTRY FEE

$20.00 for the 5K if postmarked by October 14, 2026.

$25.00 October 15 through Race Day.

Entry includes an attractive t-shirt.

1-Mile Kid’s Race Free - no t-shirt.

AWARDS

Overall winners will receive special awards along with their overall awards

Awards for 1st, 2nd & 3rd each age group both Male/Female.

No Double-dipping awards. Higher award will be given if Master Runner (40+) places in the overall standings.

Bonus Awards will be given for breaking the Male/Female Overall & Master’s course records.

There will continue to be one award for the top Super Master winner (Age 60 +) both male and female.

If Super Master’s winners place in the overall or the Masters Div. they are not eligible for the Super Master award No Double-dipping awards in age groups/masters divisions.

RACE COURSE

The Galax Autumn Days 5K Run and 1-Mile Kid’s Race both start and finish in Felts’ Park at 601 South Main Street, Galax, VA. The 5K course is flat as it follows Chestnut Creek with a ½ mile stretch of the course being run on the New River State Park.

AGE GROUPS - MALE/FEMALE

10 & Under 35 - 39 65 - 69

11 - 14 40 - 44 70 - 74

15 - 19 45 - 49 75 - 79

20 - 24 50 - 54 80 & Over

25 - 29 55 - 59

30 – 34 60 - 64

COURSE RECORDS

Thomas Curtin 14:40 (2014)

Natalie Sherbak 16:58 (2008)

DIRECTIONS TO 5K RACE

Exit 14, I-77 at US 58. Go west 58 until the intersection of US 58 and Rt. 89 take a left on Rt. 89 (Main Street) and go 8 blocks. Felts’ Park is located on the left. Race begins and ends in the Felts’ Park area.

Race Director: Tony Quesenberry [email protected]

The race consists of three stages along, and in, the New River. The trail is flat with a crushed cinder surface, and the river flows smoothly with small rapids under normal conditions. The race begins with a 40-mile out and back bike leg, followed by a 12.1-mile downriver kayak paddle, and ends with a half marathon run along the river for a total of 65.2 miles. Although the race is long, it's perfect for beginners and accomplished athletes due to its flattish nature.

Participants may compete solo or in teams of two or three.

We ask that you thoroughly read the rules and guidelines (PDF) before the race. They cover stage meeting times, transitions, requirements, courses, water and aid stations, and recommendations to make your race as trouble-free as possible. If you have any questions, please post them on the Facebook page — the New River Trail family is a friendly group, and someone from Virginia State Parks or the community will be happy to provide answers. You can also contact Steve Boyd with questions.

The race is limited to 300 entrants, so register early to ensure a spot. Solo competitors and teams with at least two students or faculty members from the same university qualify for a collegiate discount registration fee. In addition to their registered categories, sponsors' teams compete for a special award and bragging rights.

Virginia Trail Running Festival

Please read all information / everything about this race and our other races on our website RunBumTours.com We have been race directing fun, scenic and safe trail races for almost 2 decades now. The Virginia 100 mile, 50 mile, 50k and 25k by Run Bum Races is a weekend of running, camping, local food / drinks, friendships and hopefully some personal bests! It happens at peak fall colors along the New River. This race takes place on the New River Trail, a 57 mile rails to trails path. Most of the trail is right along side the MASSIVE New River. Beautiful orange and yellow leaves at peak fall colors light up the river above its rapids and waterfalls. You will cross over many old train trestles that are several hundreds of feet in length crossing the New River several times. Foster Falls, home of beautiful rapids, beckons runners with its hum of rushing water. The trail itself is dirt / crushed gravel. The elevation change is minimal. Most of it is completely flat or a 1% grade. This is an extremely runnable maybe too runnable course. If you are looking for a PR or your first 100 mile, 50 mile, 50k or 25k then this is it! Aid stations pretty much every 5-8 miles. There is lots of crew access. Check out all the info about this race and our other races on RunBumTours.com If you provide a volunteer for this race to help out at any aid station for 6 hours (minimum) not only will they receive credits towards a future Run Bum Race, but you too will receive 50% off another Run Bum Race of 50 Mile or less.

Race details

--------100 mile 33 hour cutoff 2,000 ft gain or less. Finishers get a buckle --------50 Mile16 hour cutoff 1,700 ft of gain (ish) --------50k12 hour cutoff1,100 ft of gain (ish) --------25k6 hour cutoff 700 ft of gain (ish)All races have individual aid station cutoffs----------ALL RACES TO BE GUARANTEED A FINISHER AWARD / pint glass YOU MUST BE REGISTERED BY SEPT 1st.All runners in the 100 miler and 50 miler get a pint glass and finishers award. 50k and 25k runners will receive a finisher award. If you want to purchase swag you can do so from the "STORE" link above. We do this to keep the race cheaper. All aid stations will be fully stocked like normal Run Bum Races. We have drop bags as well. Please refer to the RunBumTours.com website. Mandatory fees / parking All runners must pay a $5 per person fee that is donated to the local rescue squads. All runners are responsible for paying the $7 park entrance fee per day. This is per car. Free if you have annual pass. ALL RACE DETAILS ON RUNBUMTOURS.COM including our FAQ for refunds, transfers and deferments.

Fast times

In 2025 the winning time of the 100 mile race was 13 hours and 50 minutes by Brian Zickefoose. That is 8:16 per mile. We had over 30 people go under 24 hours. This is a fast course! We had a 95% finish rate between the 50 mile and 100 mile.

Event's current local time: 4:45 AM ET