The Rehab Rover Canicross and Trail Race - 10k, 5K, Casual Dog Friendy 5K and Virtual 5K

The Rehab Rover Canicross and Trail Race, powered by Veterinary Rehabilitation Services of Virginia and Harness Canicular LLC, presents the 3rd Annual Canicross race in the Commonwealth of Virginia! The Veterinary Rehabilitation Services of Virginia campus is a working equine rehabilitation facility that provides a peaceful environment for running, walking, or hiking. The 10k and 5k courses are classified as technical trail running races. Participants should be prepared for uneven terrain, elevation changes, and natural features, including roots, rocks, mowed fields, shallow water crossings or bridges, and narrow paths. There will be 3 water stations along the course.

NEW in 2026: We have added a 1.25-mile "Bel-Mutt Stakes." This will be a fast, flat course for those who do not want to run a 5k, have a young dog, or just prefer to sprint!

Whether you are joining us for fun or competing for a top spot on the podium, your bond with your dog will be strengthened as you navigate the trail together! Join us on October 3, 2026, for the best day with your dog! This year's event will also be a fundraiser for GREEN DOGS UNLEASHED! Please help us raise money for this incredible dog rescue! 

The day is not just about running, walking, hiking, or hobbling on the trail. Join us for the Rehab Rover Finisher's Festival from 9 am - 2 pm (spectators and family welcome). The festival will be held near the historic Clifton house on the property, which is the hub of all of the operations and features The Dog House Biergarten, food trucks, music, and the Vendor Village with local craftsmen and dog products throughout. Cool off from your race, grab some food, and enjoy the relaxing environment and views from Clifton House.

DOG- FRIENDLY TRAIL RACE:

Are you new to Canicross, or do you have a dog in training? Join the 5k Dog-Friendly Trail run right after the competitive canicross events and take all the pressure off- just get out there and have fun with your dog. Do not have a dog? Come join us with your friends and family! Limit to 2 dogs per person in this event. 

VIRTUAL RUNNERS: Cannot join us on race day? No problem! We have a virtual option for you to participate in on your own time and from your own turf. Run, jog, or walk the distance from anywhere and submit your results online. It is a great way to be a part of the event, no matter where you are! You will have until October 30, 2026 to complete your event and submit your results.  Each virtual runner will receive a logo race t-shirt and finisher medal! *Note T-shirts will not be guaranteed if you register after September 20, 2026. 

Registered children under 15 must run with a registered adult. 

We will start runners in teams of 3 at 1-2-minute intervals to eliminate crowding/bottlenecking on the course. The event is fully outdoors with ample space to distance. 

Every Participant will receive a logo race T-shirt and a finisher medal! *Note: After August 31, 2026, late registrants will not receive a T-shirt. If you want swag- get registered early!

Are you coming from out of state, or do you have a long drive? Make plans to Camp or bring your RV the night before or stay one night after the race. Do not forget to sign up during registration!

Not into camping, but need a place to stay on the property for the event? The Clifton House  (www.cliftonhouse.farm) will have limited rooms available for the event. Please contact april@cliftonhouse.farm for reservations. 

Whiskers 2 Toes Canine Massage Therapy will be on site for the event, offering canine massage appointments for participant dogs. If you would like to book a therapeutic massage for your dog before or after the race, please contact Nancy Lilly at Nancy@whiskers2toes.com or call 540-846-3961. Laser and PEMF mat therapies are also available upon request.

Race Day Schedule: All races will be chipped-timed and have a rolling start based on event size. Canicross will have two-dog start lines in 10-second intervals. We will break people into groups based on estimated finish times to pace our runners and prevent congestion among competitors.

Packet Pickup will begin on-site on Friday at 4:00 pm, along with a day-of registration check-in at 7:15 am. We will have a race-day sign-up. Please bring cash or a check to pay. (Registration will not include a t-shirt or swag bag- race only)

***Start Times are subject to change***

8:30 AM 10 K Competitive Canicross Start

9:00 AM 5k Competitive Canicross Start

9:30 AM 5K Casual Dog Friendly Run Start

10:00 AM Bel-Mutt Stakes 1.25-mile Run Start

Running Virtually? You will have until October 30, 2026, to submit your results online and see how you did against our other Virtual participants!

There will be 3 water/aid stations on the course at 1.0-mile intervals. 

We will have professional photographers at various points along the course. 

Although this is a dog event, we have a "NO GREET" POLICY. Dogs must be kept on a leash, and owners/handlers must control them at all times, both in the parking lot and event area. Dogs should not interact with other dogs or humans while attending our event. Reactive dogs will be directed to a special parking area to minimize their stress and contact with others. MUZZLES can be worn on the course if the dog has ample room for panting. 

Volunteers Needed! If you can help during race day, it would be much appreciated! We will need help with both setup and breakdown, as well as during races. If you would like to run and participate, we can accommodate you and offer our volunteers FREE registration ($50 value). Please email harnesscanicular@gmail.com

Event Area: Stick around for some of our vendors and dog-related sponsors! If you are a business and are interested in vending or sponsoring our event. The vendor form will be posted soon.

Sponsors: The Rehab Rover is excited to feature vendors and sponsors that support dog-related sports and activities. If you want to become a sponsor at our event, the form will be posted soon.

Weather contingency plan: The race committee believes that, aside from a particularly extreme weather event, the race should proceed as planned. However, if conditions prevent the race from proceeding as planned, the first alternative will be to delay the start until the weather event has cleared the area. The second option is to convert the race to a virtual event if there is no way to continue as planned. 

Medical Response Plan: The Race Directors have considered a full spectrum of possible incidents and injuries in planning the event. The nature of dog-friendly and canicross racing requires competitors to be cognizant of their own and their dog's needs. Additionally, emergency response planning is required to address potential human and canine issues. Competitors will be allowed to carry their own cellular devices on course to call for help if race personnel are not in sight. Additionally, all race personnel must always carry a cellular device while on race grounds. 

Safety Briefings: Competitor briefing: participants will be briefed before the race starts. The race brief will include course details, known hazards, race rules, and emergency procedures. In the event of a minor injury to a human competitor, participants are to locate an aid station volunteer to obtain first aid care. In the event of a significant injury to a human competitor, participants are to use their phone to contact 911 or contact the nearest course official or aid station volunteer. In the event of an injury to a canine competitor, participants are to work with the vet tech volunteer on-site to determine appropriate next steps. 

AWARDS and PRIZES:

COMPETITIVE CLASSES:

Competitive 10K 

• 1st Place MALE CaniX
•        2nd Place MALE CaniX
•        3rd Place MALE CaniX
• 1st Place FEMALE CaniX
•        2nd Place FEMALE CaniX
•        3rd Place FEMALE CaniX
• MASTERS MALE  (Over 50 years old) OVERALL
• MASTERS FEMALE (Over 50 years old) OVERALL
• JUNIOR MALE (Under 18 years old) OVERALL
• JUNIOR FEMALE (Under 18 years old) OVERALL

Competitive 5K

• 1st Place MALE CaniX
•        2nd Place MALE CaniX
•        3rd Place MALE CaniX
• 1st Place FEMALE CaniX
•        2nd Place FEMALE CaniX
•        3rd Place FEMALE CaniX
• MASTERS MALE  (Over 50 years old) OVERALL
• MASTERS FEMALE (Over 50 years old) OVERALL
• JUNIOR MALE (Under 18 years old) OVERALL
• JUNIOR FEMALE (Under 18 years old) OVERALL

Bel-Mutt Stakes- 1.25 Mile Sprint

• 1st Place MALE CaniX OVERALL
• 1st Place JR MALE OVERALL
• 1st Place MASTERS MALE OVERALL
•  
• 1st Place FEMALE CaniX OVERALL
• 1st Place JR FEMALE OVERALL
• 1st Place MASTERS FEMALE -OVERALL

DOG FRIENDLY CLASS: 

Dog Friendly 5K:

In place of placement awards, we will be providing quality, unique awards for fun themes to racers who earn them! Stay tuned for categories! 

If placement awards are important to you, please register for the competitive class.