FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | | |
Dear Trail Friends,
As summer gives way to fall, the Virginia Capital Trail enters one of its most vibrant seasons. Cooler temperatures, changing scenery, and a full calendar of events remind us that the Trail is much more than a destination. It's a place where people come together to connect, explore, and build community.
This summer, that community showed its strength in a big way. Participants in our Summer Challenge logged nearly 70,000 miles, an incredible accomplishment that reflects the energy, dedication, and enthusiasm of those who walk, run, ride, and roll on the Trail every day. Every mile tells a story, and together those miles demonstrate the remarkable impact this Trail has on the lives of so many across our region.
As you'll read throughout this month's newsletter, exciting progress continues across the Capital Trail. From community partnerships and volunteer initiatives to special events and ongoing enhancements, we're working every day to ensure the Trail remains a world-class resource for recreation, transportation, tourism, and connection.
This fall promises to be especially exciting as we celebrate the Trail's 11th birthday, come together for the Fall Trail Cleanup, and welcome participants to the newly reimagined Cap Trail Classic on October 24. Whether you join us at an event, lend a hand as a volunteer, or simply take time to enjoy a few miles of the Trail, thank you for being part of this community and helping the Capital Trail thrive.
See you on the Trail,
Sam McKelvey
Executive Director
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
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| UPDATES FROM THE FOUNDATION | |
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CAP TRAIL CLASSIC OCT 24
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Fall racing season is almost here, and the Cap Trail Classic is shaping up to be our best event yet! If you're planning to participate, be sure to register before the next price increase on October 1. Whether you're training for a fall marathon or looking for a fun race-day experience, the Cap Trail Classic has something for everyone, including the kids-only Mummy Mile.
Registered participants will enjoy a performance tech tee, finisher medal, free drink ticket, novelty reusable cup, and access to our first-ever awards ceremony and party zone featuring music, community vendors, food, and beer from Sapporo. Look for the We Off the Couch cheer station and 5K Party Pacers to help keep the energy high all day long!
Interested in getting involved? We're currently seeking vendors and volunteers to help make this event a success. Most importantly, don't wait to secure your spot. Register today and join us for an unforgettable day on the Virginia Capital Trail!
REGISTER NOW
SPONSOR INFORMATION
VENDOR APPLICATION
VOLUNTEER SIGNUP
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SUMMER CHALLENGE UPDATE
THAT'S A WRAP!
The 2026 Summer Challenge has officially come to a close. Together, participants logged an incredible 69,912.19 miles on the Cap Trail, making this our most successful Summer Challenge ever. That's nearly three times the circumference of the Earth!
Thank you to everyone who walked, ran, rode, and rolled their way through the challenge. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and love for the Trail made this record-breaking accomplishment possible.
Thank you and Congrats to the winners for inspiring our Trail community and helping make this year's challenge one for the history books.
CHECK OUT THE WINNERS!
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BIKEPACKING ADVENTURE
RAIN, FERRIES, & CAMPFIRE
FUN ON THE TRAIL
Rain couldn't dampen the fun during our recent Bikepacking Adventure with the Bicycle Co-op of Williamsburg! After tackling the first seven miles in a downpour, riders journeyed from Charles City Courthouse to Jamestown, enjoyed a memorable ride aboard the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, and continued on to Chippokes State Park for an evening of camping, storytelling, and camaraderie around the campfire. After an overnight stay, the group saddled up and did it all again the next day.
A huge thank you to the Bicycle Co-op of Williamsburg for their partnership and support. Missed this trip? We'll be hosting another bikepacking adventure this spring, so keep an eye out for registration details!
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FALL TRAIL CLEANUP OCT 10
CELEBRATE 11 YEARS WITH THE VIRGINIA CAPITAL TRAIL FOUNDATION
Join us as we celebrate the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation's 11th birthday with our annual Fall Trail Cleanup. Help us work toward our goal of making every mile sparkle while giving back to the Trail we all love. This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Trail supporters, including staff, Trail Ambassadors, volunteers, and Adopt-a-Trail partners, as we roll up our sleeves and make a visible impact together.
Whether you're a longtime volunteer or joining us for the first time, we'd love to celebrate with you. Sign up today and help keep the Trail beautiful for everyone who walks, runs, rides, and rolls!
READY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE? SIGN UP TODAY!
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TRAIL BREAKS
EXPLORE, CLIMB & DISCOVER
ALONG THE CAPITAL TRAIL
Young adventurers have a new place to play along the Virginia Capital Trail! The newly opened Nature Exploration Area at the James A. Buzzard River Education Center invites children to climb, build, explore, and create using natural materials in an outdoor setting designed for open-ended discovery.
Built with recycled wood and other nature-based elements by the team at Truetimber Arborists, the space encourages hands-on learning and deeper connections with the outdoors. Located at Mile Marker 51.2 in Richmond, the area will be open to visiting families and incorporated into educational programs hosted by the James River Association. This exciting project was made possible through a partnership with the LEGO Foundation.
LEARN MORE NOW
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FACES OF THE TRAIL
CHASING MILES & SHARING SMILES
The Capital Trail running community recently gathered to welcome ultrarunner and author Andy Glaze and his son, Hayden, to Richmond and the Virginia Capital Trail. Their September 10 visit drew a huge crowd of runners eager to share a few miles, hear Andy's story, and celebrate the vibrant running community that calls the Trail home.
The evening began at Great Shiplock Park, where participants laced up for a relaxed five-mile group run at a social, "party pace." The route offered a true Richmond experience, including a climb up the city's well-known hill and an unexpected rain shower that added a little extra adventure to the outing. Despite the weather, spirits remained high as runners enjoyed the opportunity to connect on the Trail and spend time with Andy and Hayden.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE
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DETOUR NOW IN PLACE AT DOCK STREET
TRAIL CANOPY REPAIRS CONTINUE
A small section of the Virginia Capital Trail remains closed between Great Shiplock Park and the Floodwall after the July train derailment. The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) has taken over the repair project and is working on a solution to complete the restoration. According to DPW, damage to the canopy foundations requires additional engineering and redesign before repair work can move forward. In the meantime, the City has installed additional crossings, signage, and Jersey barriers to help guide and protect people walking and biking around the closed section.
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
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For your safety, please follow the marked detour and DO NOT ENTER the closed section of the Trail. Objects and debris may fall from the tracks above. These objects could hit and cause injury to anyone using the Trail in the closed sections where the canopy is missing.
- Canopy repairs remain in the planning and redesign phase. DPW is working through the engineering, contracting, and materials needed to complete the restoration.
- There is currently no firm completion date. DPW estimates that full restoration could take approximately 3–6 months, depending on the redesign, engineering, contracting, and availability of materials.
- You may also notice corn growing along the riverbanks near the closed section of the Trail. The cornstalks grew from corn spilled during the July train derailment. The corn is not recommended for eating and is not expected to remain through the first frost.
We know the continued closure is frustrating and appreciate everyone’s patience as the City works toward a safe and lasting solution.
THANK YOU FOR
YOUR PATIENCE!
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FRESH PAVEMENT
SMOOTH MILES AHEAD
A big Cap Trail thank-you to our partners at the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for helping keep the Virginia Capital Trail in top shape! Crews have been hard at work in Charles City, smoothing pavement, repairing patchwork, and tackling routine maintenance to make every ride, run, and walk a little more enjoyable.
In addition, the Herring Creek trailhead parking lot recently received a fresh new surface, with striping scheduled to be completed soon. These improvements may seem small, but they play a big role in ensuring a safe, accessible, and enjoyable experience for the thousands of people who use the Trail each year.
We're incredibly grateful to the VDOT team members who work behind the scenes to care for this treasured community asset. Their dedication helps keep the Trail looking great and our adventures rolling smoothly. From cyclists and runners to weekend explorers, all of us at the Trail appreciate everything they do. Our knees, tires, and saddles thank you!
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| | | | UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS | | |
9/19
HARVEST FESTIVAL
11:00 am - 3:00 pm • Chickahominy Riverfront Park
Free family activities: arts and crafts, inflatables, preschool-friendly games, family photo opportunities, hayrides, food trucks, community and craft vendors, and live music.
9/26
NATIONAL PUBLIC LANDS DAY
10:00 am - 4:00 pm • REI Richmond
Celebrate places we love plus support the protection and increased access to the outdoors at REI.
9/30
VIRTUAL TRAIL AMBASSADOR TRAINING
6:00 - 7:00 pm • Virtual
Join our upcoming virtual training to learn how you can help welcome, educate, and inspire visitors along the Virginia Capital Trail.
10/2
VCT'S ELEVENTH BIRTHDAY
Celebrate more than a decade of connecting communities, promoting healthy lifestyles, and supporting the Trail we all love. Cheers to Eleven Years!
10/4
KUL WHEELS E-BIKE EXPO
12:00 - 4:00 pm • Sapporo Brewing (Outdoors)
Curious about e-bikes? Join us at the Kul Wheels E-Bike Expo to test ride the latest models, connect with local experts, and discover new ways to explore the outdoors.
10/10
FALL TRAIL CLEANUP
9:00 am - 11:00 pm • MM 0 - 51.7
Join us for our Fall Trail Cleanup as we celebrate the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation's 11th birthday. Sign up and be part of the celebration!
10/24
CAP TRAIL CLASSIC
7:00 am - 12:30 pm • Virginia Capital Trail
Half-Marathon, 10-Mile, 5K, Mummy Mile (1-Mile Fun Run)
SEE ALL EVENTS
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MILEMARKER 51.5
Update (9/15): A small section of the Virginia Capital Trail remains closed between Great Shiplock Park and the Floodwall after the July train derailment. The City of Richmond Department of Public Works (DPW) has taken over the repair project and is working on a solution to complete the restoration. According to DPW, damage to the canopy foundations requires additional engineering and redesign before repair work can move forward. In the meantime, the City has installed additional crossings, signage, and Jersey barriers to help guide and protect people walking and biking around the closed section.
TRAIL ALERT INFO
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