Face the Forest 5K (Obstacle Course Race)

*Note: The Poplar Forest Parkway off Enterprise Dr. will be closed on race day. All participants must enter via our service entrance at:

687 Poplar Forest Dr.
Forest, VA 24551

Written directions to Service Entrance can be found at https://www.poplarforest.org/visit/the-retreat/directions/

Description

Are you up for an adventure? Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way!

Entry fees will support educational programming at Poplar Forest.

Registration Information 

Register early and save! Registration fees increase to $50 on July 25, 2026.

Late registration and day-of registration fees increase to $60 beginning on Thursday, August 14th.

Race Day registration will be available beginning at 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 15th. T-shirts will ONLY be guaranteed to those who registered before July 25th. All others will be invited to come back immediately after the race and claim their t-shirts. First come, first served.

Elite Runners and Teams - The first four waves of the race are reserved for Elite (or competitive) runners. Participants will compete for cash prizes and free entry into next year’s race. Elite runners must complete all obstacles (completion will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle) to qualify for prizes.

Corporate Teams and Elite Teams - Teams of 5-8 participants complete for the chance to win prizes. Teams are not required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive one finishing time for the last member of the team who crosses the finish line.

Non-Competitive Waves - These waves begin at 8:20 a.m. These waves are designed for the vast majority of racers. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash and prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. If you want to race with a specific person, please make sure you register in the same wave time. We cannot guarantee we can move you to another wave time.

Please make sure all participants you wish to race with choose the same wave time. Register early as once a wave time is filled, it will disappear! (20-person limit per wave time). Race organizers cannot guarantee the addition of runners to team waves who did not register with the team.

Packet Pick Up

Packet Pickup will be held at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest’s Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr. Forest, VA 24551) from 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 4-6 pm on Friday, August 14th.

We highly encourage everyone, if able, to pick up your packet on Friday, August 14th at Poplar Forest. Once you have picked up your packet, there is no need to “check-in” at the registration table on the day of the race. This will alleviate the congestion and lines at the registration and packet pick-up tables. If
you pick up your packet on Friday, please just meet us at the starting line 10-15 minutes before your starting wave time.  If you are unable to pick up your packet on Friday, we will have pickup starting at 6:30 am on Saturday, August 15th. 

All Corporate teams should plan to send ONE representative from each team to pick up their entire team's packet on Friday, August 16th during the times listed. We will “pre-pull” all corporate team packets to make a quick and easy pick-up.