9 walking events in Chesapeake, Virginia

FREE event at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake, VA! Come on out and enjoy the morning with fellow first responders on the same mission to be the best version of themselves 🔥

Feel free to bring your heavy ruck or just yourself and walk with no ruck! All first responders, family, friends, and support are welcome to come out for an easy ruck at around 3 miles! Each ruck is kicked off with a thought provoking topic so that we start off the day with intentionality. Walking and talking can be a powerful tool of healing, growing, and connecting, and we take advantage of it!

Registering for this FREE event is an RSVP!

March 21 Responders Ruck will support the Professional Firefighters of Chesapeake at the 3rd Annual RUCK CANCER

https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Chesapeake/NdAnnualRUCKCancer

EVENT OVERVIEW:

5 Mile, 10 Mile & 15 Mile Sunday, February 8, 2026 8:30AM start for everyone.

Race Course:

Distance Series 2 on February 8th is now at the Dismal Canal Trail, 1246 Dismal Canal Trail, Chesapeake 23322. Those running the 5 miles will go out and back 2.5 miles. Those doing the 10 miles will go out and back 5 miles. Those doing the 15 miles will go out and back 5 miles, cross the timing mats and go out 2.5 miles and turn around. Everyone will start at 8:30 and the finish line will stay open until 12:15.

After Race Party:

Will be at Tap It Local, 648 Grassfield Pkwy, #12, Chesapeake 23323. Just 3 1/2 miles from the race venue.

Race Day Packet Pickup for Distance Series 2 will be at the Start/Finish line. Look for the Striders tent.

Inclement Weather: The Race Director and the Tidewater Striders reserve the right to cancel or reschedule or adjust distances as needed in the interest of safety or access restrictions to the venue. There are no refunds but we will try and reschedule.

Grand Prix: The 10 and 15 milers are part of the Tidewater Striders Grand Prix

If you want to register for Distance Series 3, click here

https://runsignup.com/tidewaterstridersdistanceseries3

15 miler for Distance Series 2 only is a Hampton Roads Super Grand Prix

EVENT OVERVIEW:

10K, 20K & 30K Saturday, February 28, 2026 8:30 AM At Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, 1246 Dismal Canal Trail, Chesapeake. There are no refunds. Everyone will start at 8:30.

Race Courses:

Begin and finish at the entrance to the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. 10K runners and walkers will go out to the 5K turnaround (3.1 miles) and return to the finish line. The 20K and 30K runners and walkers will go out to the 10K turnaround (6.2 miles) and return to the finish line, where the 20K participants will be done, while the 30K participants, after crossing the timing mats will go back out to the 5K turnaround and return to the finish line completing the 30K. Finish line closure is based on a 15 minute per mile and will close at 1:15. Early start, 8:15AM, for 30K walkers/slow runners ONLY may be arranged by contacting [email protected].

After Race Parties:

After race party is Tap It Local, 648 Grassfield Pkwy, #12, Chesapeake 23323 just 3 1/2 miles from the start/finish line in the Wal-Mart shopping center

Directions:

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail:, Trail Start, Old Route 17 and George Washington Hwy, Chesapeake, VA 23323 just off Rt 17. GPS tracking 1246 Dismal Canal Trail, Chesapeake, VA.

Inclement Weather: The Race Director and the Tidewater Striders reserve the right to cancel or reschedule or adjust distances as needed in the interest of safety or access restrictions to the venue.

Registration closes at 9:00 PM the Friday before each event. You may pick up your race number starting at 7:15 to 8:20 AM race morning at the start/finish line. Early packet pickup will be at Running Etc., Hilltop Location on Friday, February 27 starting at 4:00 to 6:00.

Distance Series 3 20k and 30k is a Strider Running Grand Prix.

The 10k is a walker Grand Prix.

The Professional Fire Fighters of Chesapeake, IAFF Local 2449, cordially invite you to our 12th Annual Mustache March Madness and our 3rd Annual RUCK CANCER Walk/Run!

PLEASE NOTE - the Event Location has changed to BELLS MILL PARK in Chesapeake, VA this year!

RUCK Registration/Packet Pickup – 07:30 (day of only)

RUCK Start Time – 09:00

Post-Race Cookout Ends - 13:00

Entry Fee - $45

Fee includes:

• Custom RUCK Cancer Race T-shirt and Post-Ruck Cookout provided by the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake!

• You must register by 2/21/2026 to be guaranteed a RUCK Cancer Race T-shirt!

RUCK Distances:

Short – 5K

Long – 10K

Like a traditional RUCK, we encourage all participants to wear a ruck sack or 35 pound weighted vest. If you do not have your own RUCK, we have 35 CFD SCBA’s available to use. Please click on the link here to reserve an SCBA to use for the day!

No RUCK/SCBA is necessary to participate though, we encourage participants to support our cause by enjoying fellowship and walking the course as well.

1st Place Overall Male & Female of the 10K RUCK win a prize! Must be wearing a SCBA, 35-pound Weighted Vest, or 35-pound RUCK Sack

1st Place Male and Female of the 10K RUCK wearing a 35-pound RUCK Sack win a prize!

ABOUT THE CAUSE

In 2014, members of the Chesapeake Fire Department and the Professional Fire Fighters of Chesapeake, Local 2449, began an annual tradition called Mustache March Madness. We sold t-shirts to support local firefighters and their family's battling cancer. Over the last 12 years, we have supported our brothers and sisters by raising money every March and donating funds to those affected throughout the year.

In 2024, we created the RUCK Cancer Walk/Run as a creative way to exercise and raise funds for these firefighters! In the two years since we started the RUCK, we have had 437 RUCKERS participate and have donated $27,600 to 19 firefighter families across Hampton Roads!

March 21, 2026 marks our 12th Annual Mustache March Madness and our 3rd annual RUCK Cancer Walk/Run!

DONATIONS

Unable to participate, but still want to contribute? Click on the "Donate" tab at the top of our race website to support our members!

SPONSORS

Thank you to the organizations and businesses that have sponsored us in building this event through their time, effort, and financial contributions. See their links below to learn more about these organizations committed to supporting Mustache March Madness, RUCK Cancer, and the Professional Fire Fighters of Chesapeake, Local 2449.

Interesting in becoming a sponsor, email: [email protected]

Join us for the Superheroes vs Villains 5K taking place in the Great Dismal Swamp, a unique event that combines the beauty of nature with a powerful cause. This race supports our mission to improve the lives of individuals affected by Autism, focusing on maximizing self-sufficiency, independence, and quality of life for those living with Autism. Run, walk, or volunteer to help us create a positive impact and raise awareness for the Autism community. Together, we can make a difference—one step at a time.

Welcome to the Tidewater Striders Marathon and Half Marathon Home to one of the Flattest and fastest Marathons in the country and the Fastest in Virginia!!!!

Website Find my Marathon rates The Tidewater Strider Marathon as the 52nd fastest Marathon in the Country and the Fastest Marathon in Virginia! This marathon ranked 37th in 2025 for BQ percentage in the country https://findmymarathon.com/race-detail.php?zname=Tidewater%20Strider%20Marathon

In 2021, the Tidewater Strider BQ invitational and the Strider Marathon both ran on the same course and were ranked #2 and #35 in the country for their Boston Qualifying percentages!

COURSE: This is a Marathon and Half Marathon course on the closed 2-lane roadway at the Dismal Swamp Trail Park in Chesapeake. The full Marathon course will be USATF Certified course and that means its a Boston Qualifying race

PACKET PICKUP: Early Packet pick-up will be at Point 2 running company in Chesapeake Friday, April 24th from 3-6pm! Race day pick-up will be from 6:15 -7:30 am!

FLUIDS AND FOOD: There will be 4 aid stations with water for the half Marathon and 9 water stations for the full.

AMENITIES & POST-RACE: Finishers receive a Medal and Premium Long Sleeve Shirt. Onsite hospitality & refreshments. Post-race party onsite!

TIME LIMITS: The Full Marathon will start at 7 am and Half Marathon will start at 7:30 AM! The finish line will close at 1:30 PM. Walkers may arrange an early start or self-time after 1:30 PM.

AWARDS: Top 3 overall Males and Females and top 3 overall Masters Male & Female the top 3 males and females in 10-year age groups will receive awards!

REGISTRATION: Registration will be open until April 24th, 2026.

LEGACY RUNNERS/STRIDERS PLUS: Discounts available thru April 25th.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS: A Club membership discount of $5.00 is available up thru April 24th. Discounts are automatically applied on the payment page during registration. You should use the account you used to register for the club to apply for this discount. We will also attempt to match on name/date of birth.

Paper entry forms are not available.

ELITE FIELD: Back this year we will have an Elite Entry for this year's Race: to receive a Comp Elite Entry, you had to have run faster than the time listed below in the last 2 years! If you would like to claim the entry, contact Thomas [email protected]! We will also have Prize Money for the top 3 Males & Females in the Marathon & Top Males & Females in the Half! We will also have Nutrition drop tables set up in multiple areas of the course.

Marathon

MEN: 2:40

Women 3:00

Half Marathon

Men 1:15

Women 1:23

Strider Spring Running Festival Challenge is Back - Run the Dismal Swamp 5 Miler on Saturday and the Half or the Full on Sunday to receive a challenge Medal!

Snake Challenge- 5 miler & Half Marathon

Bear Challenge- 5 miler & Full Marathon

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

This is a Tidewater Strider Grand Prix Race, Tidewater Striders Youth Grand Prix Race, Hampton Roads Super Grand Prix Race.

The 1st 150 Registered Participants Guaranteed Shirts.

COURSE: This is a 5K XC course at Bells Mill Park in Chesapeake. 1.5-mile course for the Kids classic

FLUIDS AND FOOD: There will be 1 aid station with water and replacement drink.

AMENITIES & POST-RACE: Awesome T-shirts for the first 150 5K and Kids Race participants and medals for all Finishers. Guaranteed T-shirt sizes until April 24, 2026. There is a NO Shirt option available as well with $3.00 off discount. Runners and walkers are welcome to join us for an afterparty at Bells Mill Park for refreshments, including a variety of lemonade, fruit punch, and a catered Panera lunch box. This is subject to availability and boxes will be available until they run out. One lunch box per participant with their bib. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate spectators with lunch boxes.

TIME LIMITS: The Kid's race starts at 7:30.

The 5K race starts at 8:15 AM.

The finish line will close at 10 am.

REGISTRATION: Race day registration is available starting at 6:30 AM until 20 minutes before the start of each race. No Exceptions

STRIDER PLUS/LEGACY RUNNERS: Your discount will automatically apply at checkout.

CLUB MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS: A Club membership discount of $5.00 is available up thru May 16th. Discounts are automatically applied on the payment page during registration. You should use the account you used to register for the club to apply for this discount. We will also attempt to match on name/date of birth.

AWARDS:5K Awards will be given to the top 3 Male & Female open and master runners. Age group awards will be 12 &under 13-19- & 10-year age groups until 70&over. Awards for the Strider kids' classic are as follows 6 &under,7-8,9-10, 11-12, 13-17 M&F. Awards will be given out at the end of the 5K race. Walking Awards top 3 Male & Female.

Competitive Walking Division: If you register in the Competitive walking Division you must walk the entire race to be eligible for awards in this division if run you will be moved to the 5K Run division!

SPARC presents, our 4th annual Above the Clouds 5K in honor of Dr. Albert K. Lin.

Please join us for our annual run/walk as we raise awareness to brain cancer, and to remember and honor Dr. Albert K. Lin. Dr. Lin continues to inspire us to live our lives to the fullest, and to finish the race, in a manner most worthy of a prize that lasts for eternity.

A portion of your registration fee will be donated to www.braintumor.org, who unrelentingly invests in, mobilizes, and unites the brain tumor community to discover a cure, deliver effective treatments, and advocate for patients and caregivers.

The 5K will be a timed event with prizes for our top finishers. All registrants will receive a race shirt and finisher medal. Even though this is a timed event, the 5K is open to all levels of fitness, so all are welcome to run or walk as we remember Dr. Lin and the impact he has made on all of us! If you cannot join us in person and still want to participate, please consider joining our virtual event. Virtual participants will also receive a shirt, and finisher medal. If you have a little one that would like to run, sign them up for the 100 yard dash. They will receive something special for their completion of the 100 yard dash. Register before May 6th, 2026 to receive an early registration discount and to guarantee your shirt size! Participants registering after this date may not be guaranteed preferred sizing in their shirt.

Stay after and join us for a post race with food available for purchase from Flippin' Hangry and Bear House Coffee.

A big thank you and shout out to all of our Sponsors for helping to make this event happen! We could not do this without them. Please be sure to visit their websites and they will be on site post race.

Packet pickup will be on Friday June 5th, 2026 from 3:45pm to 8pm at:

DICK's House of Sports in Chesapeake

1501 Sentinel Drive

Chesapeake, VA 23320

THERE IS NO DAY OF RACE PACKET PICKUP