Ultra Running Hub Chesapeake, VA, United States · Sunday, December 6, 2026
Tidewater Striders Dismal Swamp 50 km Race
Calculated from 50 km alone — the organiser has not published an elevation profile. Read 2.5 as a floor, not a verdict.
What the course asks
DUV results for the 2025 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
Typical conditions, December
Regional 2001-2020 average for December — NASA POWER, grid elevation 7 m. Not a forecast.
Results history
| Year | Race | Finishers | Men's winner | Women's winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 50km | 54 | Steven Mance · 02:56:18 | Hannah Hall · 03:54:47 |
| 2024 | 50km | 48 | Roger Hopper · 03:01:56 | Alexandra Niles · 03:29:12 |
| 2023 | 50km | 21 | Peter Howey · 04:41:54 | Ruthie Cruz · 05:05:06 |
| 2022 | 50km | 36 | Steve Speirs · 03:38:29 | Kelly Mick · 05:10:38 |
| 2021 | 50km | 28 | Peter Pommerenk · 03:43:04 | Jenna Zimmermann · 05:22:04 |
| 2020 | 50km | 31 | David Whitehurst · 04:28:34 | Ashley Diette · 04:29:07 |
The field grew 13% between 2024 (48) and 2025 (54). 35% of the 2025 field were women.
DUV results for the 2025 edition (50km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.
Course notes
- gear With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.
Gear for this race
Chosen for 50 km of trail.
- Trail Running Shoes 50 km of trail — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
- Race Nutrition 50 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
- Hydration Vests Flask capacity for 50 km, without the bounce.
- Headlamps A 15 h limit puts you out there after dark.
- GPS Watches Battery life first — a 50 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.
Overview
The Tidewater Striders Dismal Swamp 50 km Race in Chesapeake, VA, is a road race with a 50 km distance held in December. Its 15-hour time limit allows a generous 18 minutes per kilometer, making it more generous than 92% of 50k cut-offs.
This 50k race, which has been held 6 times since 2020, will next take place in 2026. With 54 finishers in its 2025 edition, its field size is bigger than 61% of 50k fields. The course consists of 4 loops of 3.9 miles each way, making for an out-and-back route.
Similar races
Other 50K trail ultras, closest in distance first.