Richmond, Virginia · Thursday, August 13, 2026
The Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB Short Track (XCC) Race Series is a cycling, mountain biking, and track event held on Thursday, August 13, 2026. It is located at 1300 Blanton Ave in Richmond, Virginia.
Race date:
Sunday, Aug 2, 2026
Start:
9am
Pickup: 745-845am Aug, 2 at the RunRideRace tent.
Where:
Pocahontas State Park (just south of Richmond, VA) 10301 State Park Road Chesterfield, VA 23832 (this address is to the main entrance of the park. At this point you will turn into the Bright Hope Equestrian Park on the south side of Beach) Standard parking fee will be collected by state park employees (unless you have a state park permit)
We will be racing again on the Bright Hope Equestrian side of Pocahontas. There is plenty of room through transition for team tents and your personal support. You will pass the transition every 5.5 miles.
Course: Note: race will be clockwise 2025 course
This is clockwise on dirt road/paths ranging from 8-12 feet wide. The course will often feel like it only offers a single line, yet there is plenty of opportunity for passing. The loop is about 5.5 miles in distance. So, races are approx. 44, 33 and 16.5 miles.
Equipment:
Gravel, cross or mountain bikes work best and all have been ridden historically!
Timing:
This event will be chipped timed! Chip will be placed on your race number which must go on your bars facing forward.
Results:
Results will be posted online at this link: Results
50 mile
This is an 8 lap race. Each lap has been GPSed to about 5.5 miles. So, the finish will be about 44 miles depending on your gps accuracy. There also is a time cut of, like always. We decided to make a hard cutoff but give a few extra minutes to allow more racers to complete their laps. The time cut off to go out for your last lap will be 3 hours. We will cut the course off at that point.
36 mile This is a new option this year. In the past this has been a B race, but with the 3 hour time limit to start your last lap we have seen that many 50 mile racer end up finishing 6 laps. So we decided to make that an option. This race will still have a 3 hour limit to start your last lap. This means, if you haven't completed your 6 laps but 3 hours you can head out for one more lap if you can do so before the clock hits 3 hours. Otherwise you will be credited with the completed laps.
18 mile
This division will be a 3 lap race (approx. 16.5 miles).
Aid Station:
Located near the completion of each lap, we will have a water station set up. This will be a place where water can be refilled and bottle hand-ups will be allowed (bring a friend or teammate to hand you your stuff). We will not have volunteers there to give hand-ups, so you should bring support if you will need assistance with water refills.
Sorry Honey, I've gotta work late!
REGISTRATION:
We encourage racers to register early. We are offering series entry, at a discount, or you can sign up for individual event dates.
COURSE INFO:
All races will be located in Forest Hill Park, Richmond, VA.
Cross course: the lap will be approximately one mile in length using a combination of surfaces that may include grass, blacktop and dirt. What type of bike? We don't care...race your cross, mountain or gravel bike.
Lapped Rider: If you are lapped you can continue to race, unlike some cyclo cross races. Once the race leader finishes the required number of laps, remaining riders will will be done once they complete their current lap. The event will be scored by number of laps completed, then by time.
AWARDS:
There will be series awards after 3rd race. To be eligible for prizes, you must enter and race all three events.
DISTANCE/TIME:
All races will be about 45 minutes. Our goal is for the 1st pace overall to race close to 45 minutes. All racers then will finish their current lap once the leader finishes. There will be a countdown lap count at the start/finish. Lapped racers will not be removed from the course! All racers will be able to continue to the finish of the event!
NUMBER OF LAPS:
Race organizers will determine numbers of laps based on average time per lap of leaders. Once laps times are established there will be l lap counter counting down the laps. This number will be reduced by 1 each time the leader crosses the line. Note that the number can change by 2 if the leader passes you during any given lap. We will ring a bell for riders to signal "one to go". Historically, the winner completes 11 to 12 laps in the 45 minute window.
DONATION:
Donations will go to the local trail working groups (RVA MORE) earmarked to maintain the trails at Forest Hill Park. Please donate a few bucks during registration.
RAIN OR WET CONDITIONS
To protect/secure our use of the park, we will postpone or cancel a race in the event of rain or wet conditions. Don't let this prevent you from registering early. We are happy to transfer fees to another runriderace event.
Course set up
I will be out at the course by early afternoon. If you are able to come, shoot me an email letting me know you can come and your cell for contact. We will probably need help right up to race start.
Staged at the Robious Landing Park in Chesterfield, VA, this event consists of three separate events: A non-draft sprint triathlon/duathlon, a youth triathlon/duathlon, and an NCAA Draft-Legal Collegiate Cup. With the iconic river swim and beautiful bike and run course, you do not want to miss this exciting race.
Every finisher will receive a finisher’s medal. Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female overall in the sprint triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike as well as in each age group/athena/clydesdale category for the youth & adult triathlons.
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Poca Go! is part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series
POCA GO! is an enduro-style XC MTB race held on the Swift Creek single-track flow trails at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield, VA.
This is a fundraiser event staffed fully by volunteers from the local trail community. All proceeds from the race will support the mountain bike trails at Pocahontas State Park.
Poca Go! is a part of the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series.
Back for 2026 - Poca Go! kids race! Hosted by Poca Go! founder Robyn Ritter. This year, the kids race will take place on the PocaGO! event date of Saturday, Oct. 3rd! Sign up for kids race here.
Our generous race supporters include: Dominion Energy, Friends of Pocahontas State Park (FoPSP), rvaMORE, Patient First, Carytown Bicycle Co., Pedal Power, Blue Ridge Cyclery, Riverside Cycling, LILO Collections, Running Fire Design, Run Ride Race, and the Virginia State Parks Adventure Series.
Please note that being a fundraiser for the trail system, no refunds will be given for this race under any circumstances! We will do everything in our power to make this race a reality.
There will not be a rain date scheduled for this year's event. If unforeseen circumstances arise and we aren't able to hold the event, all race fees will automatically be considered as donations to the trail system.
Online registration via BikeReg.com is strongly encouraged! This event is limited to 300 participants. “Walk up” registration on the day of the event closes at 10:00 am.
2026 Race Format:
Timed stages will be on mostly downhill portions of the Swift Creek trail system with non-timed transfer segments in between.
Here are the stages for PocaGO 2026:
1: JT Short Loop (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike/ Middle School/ Beginner)
2: Timberdoodle DH (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike/ Middle School/ Beginner)
4: Lost Spring (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike/ Middle School/ Beginner)
5: Blue Jay Way (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike)
6: Moonshine Run (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike)
7: Blueberry DH (Expert/ High School/ Masters/ Sport/ E-bike/ Middle School/ Beginner)
Beginner and Middle School Youth Categories will only complete Stages 1-4 and 7, totaling approximately 12 miles.
All other categories will complete Stages 1 - 7, totaling approximately 15 miles.
Each transfer stage (i.e., the riding necessary to get to the next stage) is not timed and does not count toward standings.
You can view and download a copy of the course map here.
Stay tuned for exact start times, pending category sizes. We want to ensure an efficient and fun day for all.
For race information, including directions, start times and post-race activities, please click here.
Remember that Poca Go! is a FUNdraiser: it's supposed to be FUN and the purpose is to bring the riding community together while also raising funds to support the trails. Please also remember that this event is run completely by volunteers; please be patient with us and thank the volunteers for giving up their day to be out there.
THANK YOU for supporting your local trails and state park. We look forward to seeing you at Poca Go!
Stay tuned for more details at www.pocago.com!
Join us for the Maplewood Mile 5K on Oct 3 at 9:00 AM — a scenic, USATF-certified-ish (fun) route through Maplewood Park. Whether you’re chasing a PR or running with the stroller, this mostly-flat course highlights tree-lined paths, a pond turnaround, and a finish on the town green. Every runner gets a finisher medal; top finishers take home awards and local gift certificates. Kids’ Fun Run at 10:15 AM. Proceeds support the Maplewood Urban Tree Fund.
Welcome to the Maplewood Mile 5K — Run for the Trees!
Lace up and come enjoy a morning of fresh air, community vibes, and scenic trails. The 5K course winds along Maplewood Park’s paved and crushed-gravel paths, showcasing mature maples, a pond, and the town’s historic gazebo. It’s perfect for first-timers, families, and competitive runners alike.
Race day schedule
• 7:30 AM — Packet pickup and same-day registration opens (maplewood community center)
• 8:45 AM — Race briefing & warm-up on the green
• 9:00 AM — 5K start (chip timing)
• 10:15 AM — Kids’ Fun Run (100–200m)
• 10:45 AM — Awards ceremony & post-race snacks
What you get
• Technical short-sleeve race shirt (first 300 registrants)
• Finisher medal for all participants
• Chip timing and results posted live online
• Post-race snacks, coffee, and a local food truck village
• Kids’ activities, face painting, and race photography
Prizes
• Top 3 overall male & female • Top 3 in 10 age groups (5-year bins) • Special award for best tree-themed costume
Course notes & accessibility
• Mostly-flat, family-friendly course on mixed paved/gravel paths. Strollers welcome. • Accessible restrooms at start/finish. • Dogs on short leashes allowed (must be registered as a dog-runner).
Parking & transit
Free parking at Maplewood High School (shuttle to start). Bike racks available at the start/finish.
Charity
Proceeds benefit the Maplewood Urban Tree Fund to plant and maintain street trees and fund environmental education.
Contact
Questions? Email [email protected]
or visit the event FAQ on the race page.