Altis Cross Country Trail Marathon and Half Marathon
Time & Location
About the event
The sixth annual race is planned for Saturday September 28th, 2019. The marathon and half marathon will start at 8:00AM. This event will take place in its entirety in Virginia on the Cross County Trail surfaced by asphalt, pavement, crushed stone, and dirt.
The 2019 Mid-Atlantic Marathon and Half Marathon Series will take place from September 28th-October 2nd. The Cross County Trail Marathon and Half is the first race in the series. The other races in the series are the C&O Marathon and Half, the Eastern Panhandle Marathon and Half, the Hancock Marathon and Half, and the GAP Trestles Marathon and Half. In order, the series races take place in VA, DC, WV, MD, and PA. Run one, some, or all the Mid-Atlantic Marathon and Half Marathon Series races.
Registration
To register click here: Entrant fees: $55 for the half and $70 for the marathon to June 30th, $65 for the half and $80 for the marathon after June 30th, and $70 for the half and $90 for the marathon after August 31st. Online registration closes at 5:00PM Thursday September 26th.
Runners can also register for the race starting at 7:15 AM race morning at the start/finish, or at the Friday packet pickup – time and location to be determined.
This event is a shirt optional race. Choose the No shirt (subtract $10) shirt option if you would prefer not to have a nice Cross County Trail race shirt.
Race Location/Info
The race start/finish is at Lake Accotink Park in the parking lot .7 miles past the park front entrance located at 7578 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, Va. 22150.
Packet Pickup
Friday packet pickup location and time are tbd.
Saturday race morning packet pickup commences at 7:15 at the race start/finish at the front park entrance main parking lot (directions below).
Parking
To get to the front entrance of Lake Accotink Park put 7578 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, Va. 22150 into your GPS device. Drive seven tenths of a mile from the park front entrance to the parking lot on the left. The front entrance of the park can be viewed here. The race start/finish will be located in the parking lot.
Directions
As noted in the Parking Section, to get to the front entrance of the park put 7578 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, Va. 22150 into your GPS device.
Travel
Use this link to view the airports closest to Springfield, VA.
Hotels
There are several hotels at/near the Springfield exits from the DC beltway including the Holiday Inn Express at 6401 Brandon Ave, Springfield, VA 22150.
Course Info
The 2019 course is slightly better and faster than the 2017 course! The course surface is a combination of concrete, asphalt, dirt, and gravel with most of the course being asphalt and concrete. There is about 400 feet of elevation gain and loss in the half marathon, and 800 feet of gain and loss in the marathon.
To read more on the 40 miles long Cross County Trail click this link.
Course Map/Map Link
The 2018 course map can be viewed here.
Awards
All race finishers will receive an award.There are no age group awards or first finisher awards. Great thanks to Steel Images for the fantastic finisher awards!
Proceeds
In 2015 the great Lee High School students donated their time to support the Sunshine School in Capetown, South Africa – http://sunshineschool.co.za.
In 2016, 2017, and 2018 the fantastic Lee High School students once again provided super support to the runners. Altis donated to Lee High School due to their volunteerism.
15% of all registration fees go back into the Fairfax County Parks Department. Thanks to the Parks Department for allowing the race to take place.
Weather
Historical average high and low temperatures in Springfield, VA on September 28th are 75 and 54 degrees.
Results
2017 half marathon results can be found here, and 2017 half marathon results are linked here.
The 2016 marathon results are located here, and the half marathon results are linked here.
The 2015 marathon results are here, and the half marathon results are located here
The 2014 half marathon results are here, and the 2014 marathon results are here.
Aid Stations
2019 aid station locations are yet to be determined.
Aid stations for the half marathon are located at miles 1.3, 4.1, 5.4, 6.6, 9.4, 11.0 and 11.5
Aid stations for the marathon are located at miles 2.7, 5.5, 6.8, 8.0, 10.8, 12.4, 12.9, 14.4, 17.2, 18.5, 19.7, 22.5, 24.1 and 24.6
For the halfers, port-o-lets are located at 1.3, 5.4, 9.4, 11.0 and 11.5. Park Restrooms are located 50 yards off the course at 1.5, 4.1, 6.6, and 9.2
For the marathoners, port-o-lets are located at 2.7, 6.8, 10.8, 12.4, 12.9, 14.4, 18.5, 22.5, 24.1 and 24.6. Park Restrooms are located 50 yards off the course at 2.9, 5.5, 8.0, 10.6, 14.6, 17.2, 19.7 and 22.3.
If race day is warm, water will also be placed between the start/finish and Wakefield Park aid stations.
The usual ultra and trail race food will be provided at the aid stations, ie. cookies, chips, candies, water, and Gatorade. It is recommended that runners bring their own energy gels and electrolytes to the race as needed/desired.
Cutoffs
Runners have seven and a half hours to complete their respective races.
Refunds/Transfers/Miscellaneous
As is the case with most races, there will be no refunds of entry fees to entrants. Transfers of race bibs from one runner to another is also not allowed. This event is limited to 225 entrants. There will not be a waiting list if the race fills.
Questions
If you have any questions please contact Mike at events@altisendurance.com.