High Bridge Half Marathon & 5K

The town of Farmville in south central Virginia has been hailed as “America’s Crucible”. The site of one of the last battles of the War Between the States and one of the first critical moments in the Battle for Civil Rights in Education, Farmville is truly the Heart of Virginia. Home to Green Front Furniture and a delightful historic commercial district filled with restaurants, retail, and galleries, Farmville promises something for everyone who comes to spend a day, a weekend, or a lifetime. 

The historic High Bridge runs through the Heart of Virginia in Prince Edward and Cumberland Counties. Heralded as the largest bridge of its kind in the United States, the High Bridge and the battle for control of it was a contributing factor to General Robert E. Lee’s surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia in nearby Appomattox Courthouse. Today, the bridge is the centerpiece of the 31-mile High Bridge Trail State Park that includes the historic commercial district of Farmville.

The race will be held on an out-and-back course beginning in Farmville Downtown at High Bridge Trail State Park Plaza.  The park is a rail to trail conversion that is wide, level and has very little grade.  The trail surface consists of finely crushed, well-packed limestone.  The half marathon will cross the historic High Bridge twice.  High Bridge is nearly a half mile long and towers 125 feet above the Appomattox River.

Runners will enjoy on-course support with spirit groups, music, water stations, and Port-O-Potties. Finsher medals will be presented to all Half Marathon finishers who complete their race during the designated time period of 4 hours.

Course Information

Surface:           packed crushed gravel
Grade:             very little
Particulars:      rails-to-trails conversion

Amenities:       4 water stations with water and Gatorade available; two port-o-potties per water station; GU Gel, snacks, and first aid at each water station; cheer groups intermittently stationed for support; emergency services personnel and apparatus on stand-by in the park. 

Times (Timing ceases at four (4) hours)

Half Marathon starts at 7:30am
5K starts at 8am 

Race participants who do not complete the course within the four-hour time frame will not be eligible for a finisher award (Half-Marathon only).

Registration:
There are two ways to register – Online or Paper:
Early Online registration: March 1, 2015 - Friday, August 14, 2015. Fees: Half –Marathon: $60 per runner; 5K: $25 per runner.

Late Online registration is available Saturday, August 15 until 11:59 pm, September 7, 2015. Half-Marathon: $75 per runner; 5K: $30 per runner. Event tee shirts are not guaranteed for registrations received after August 14, 2015.

Paper registration is available March 1 – September 7, 2015. Registrations must be received by September 7, 2015.
Half-Marathon: $75 per runner; 5K: $35 per runner. Event tee shirts are not guaranteed for registrations received after August 14, 2015.

Packet Pickup:
On-Site Registration is available for paper and electronic kiosk registrations during Packet Pickup Hours: Friday, September 11 – Noon – 8 pm; Saturday, September 12, 6:30 am – 7:00 am (Half-Marathon) or 7:30 am (5K). Event tee shirts are not guaranteed for on-site registrations received after September 7, 2015. Cash, check, and credit card accepted (ID required).

Photo ID is required for packet pickup. Packet pickup is available for other participants with a copy of that persons photo ID.

Refund/Transfer Policy:
Registration fees are non-refundable. Fees/bibs are non-transferable to another race or runner/walker. No exceptions.

Race Day Parking & Maps
Parking is free in Town of Farmville municipal lots for those with parking passes. Parking passes and maps will be transmitted electronically by 11:59pm, Tuesday September 9th.

Awards Ceremony:
Finisher medals will be presented to all half-marathon runners who complete the race during the timing period. Cash awards will be presented to the top 3 overall male & female finishers for the half marathon. Awards will be presented to the top three overall finishers and to the top three age level finishers for each race with half-marathon overall Master (40+), Grand Master (50+), and Senior Grand Master (60+) awards new for 2015.

Ceremony times and itineraries will be included in Runners’ Electronic Packets.

Local Lodging

Comfort Inn Farmville    (434) 392-8163
2108 South Main St., Farmville, VA 23901  
Spacious rooms with irons/boards, free wireless throughout the hotel, coffee makers, hair dryers, refrigerators, free local calls, deluxe complimentary continental breakfast, outdoor pool, workstation available for guests. Some rooms have microwaves. Handicapped accessible, free truck and bus parking. Whirlpool suites available.

Days Inn Farmville    (434) 392-6611
2015 South Main St., Farmville, VA 23901  
Interior and exterior corridors, refrigerators, hair dryers, coffee makers, free local calls, some rooms with microwave. Free high speed wireless throughout the hotel, complimentary continental breakfast.

Hampton Inn Farmville    (434) 392-8826
300 Sunchase Blvd., Farmville, VA 23901
Rooms include: high speed internet access, lap desk, iron and ironing board, coffee maker. free HBO, hair dryer. Outdoor pool and a exercise room, complimentary hot breakfast. 

Inn on the Avenues  (434) 315-0452
313 First Avenue, Farmville Historic District             Innkeeper: Ann Irons
Three queen rooms with bath; one queen room without bath. Includes TV, WiFi, Wine & Cheese

Longwood Bed & Breakfast(434) 395-2617
608 High Street, Farmville Historic District               Executive Director: Lorrie Watson
The former Longwood University President’s home and Alumni House, the Neoclassical house has four bedrooms with private bath. WiFi, TV, telephone, business center.                                                      

Sally Thompson’s Inn
700 High Street, Farmville Historic District               Innkeepers: Sally & Willy Thompson

Super 8 Farmville   (434) 392-8196
Highway 15 South & Us 460 Byp, Farmville, VA 23901
Pet-friendly. Rooms include microwave, refrigerator and free high-speed Wi-Fi Internet access, continental breakfast. Handicapped-accessible and non-smoking rooms are available. Kids 17 and under stay free with an adult. 

Downtown Restaurants:

Charley's Waterfront Cafe     (charleyswaterfront.com)
200 E Third St., Farmville Downtown     (434) 392-8077

El Patron Mexican Cantina (www.elpatroncantina.com)
100 High Street, Farmville Downtown      (434) 315-0279

Macado's Restaurant & Bar (www.macados.net)
404 S Main St., Farmville Downtown       (434) 392-3135

Riverside Cafe(https://plus.google.com/108211604295081512593/about?gl=us&hl=en)
522 N Main St., Farmville Downtown     (434) 392-2008

The Bakery (www.thebakeryfarmville.com)
218 N. Main St., Farmville Downtown (434) 395-1011

The Café at Poplar Hall (www.poplarhallonline.com)
308 N. Main Street, Farmville Downtown (434) 392-5519

Walker's Diner (www.walkersdiner.com)
307 N Main St., Farmville Downtown      (434) 392-4230

Uptown Coffee Café  (Find Us on Facebook)
236 N. Main Street, 434-392-5282 (JAVA). Open early on Race Day!

Charitable Beneficiaries
Profits from the High Bridge Half Marathon & 5K will benefit programs and activities provided by Farmville Downtown Partnership for the revitalization efforts in the Main Street District. These include, but are not limited to: community events, entrepreneur workshops, façade grants, and development of educational materials focused on the history, heritage and architecture of the traditional commercial district of Farmville.