Tidewater Strider Marathon and Half Marathon Spring Edition

Sun, Apr 26, 2026, 7:00 AM EDT

Location: Chesapeake, VA; 1246 Dismal Swamp Canal Trail, 23322
Type: RUN

Official registration Past results (if available)

At a glance

Chase your personal best on one of the nation's fastest and flattest courses, a top choice for Boston Qualifying.

Fun
Competitive
Festive

Good fit for

After-Party
Shirt

The Tidewater Strider Marathon and Half Marathon is celebrated as one of the country's flattest and fastest courses, holding the title for Virginia's fastest marathon. Known for its high Boston Qualifying (BQ) percentage, this USATF-certified event attracts runners aiming for personal bests. Participants can also join the Strider Spring Running Festival Challenge, combining a Saturday 5-miler with Sunday's main event for an extra medal. Elite runners are welcomed with special entries and prize money, adding to the competitive spirit.

What to expect

Run a USATF-certified, flat, two-lane course at Dismal Swamp Trail Park.
Benefit from multiple aid stations with water along the route.
Celebrate your finish with a medal, premium long-sleeve shirt, and post-race hospitality.

Standout details

One of the country's fastest marathons
High Boston Qualifying (BQ) percentage
Elite field with prize money
Strider Spring Running Festival Challenge

Auto-drafted from the public listing — confirm details on the official event page before signing up.

Distances & registration

4 options

Registration for all distances is through the official signup link above.

13.1 Miles
Sun, Apr 26, 7:30 AM EDT · From $54.00
Opens Oct 10, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT · Closes Dec 30, 2025, 6:59 PM EST
13.1 Miles
Sun, Apr 26, 7:30 AM EDT · From $54.00
Opens Oct 10, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT · Closes Dec 30, 2025, 6:59 PM EST
26.2 Miles
Sun, Apr 26, 7:00 AM EDT · From $80.50
Opens Oct 10, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT · Closes Dec 30, 2025, 6:59 PM EST

+ 1 more option

26.2 Miles
Sun, Apr 26, 7:00 AM EDT · From $80.50
Opens Oct 10, 2025, 4:00 AM EDT · Closes Dec 30, 2025, 6:59 PM EST

The course

Flat
Timed race

Race swag

From the public listing — confirm on the official site.

From the organizer

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 Orangerunning@yahoo.com ! 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

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