Ultra Running Hub Cumberland, VA, United States · Sunday, January 3, 2027
Willis River 50K Trail Run
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 2026 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, January
Regional 2001-2020 average for January — NASA POWER, grid elevation 106 m. Not a forecast.
Results history
| Year | Race | Finishers | Men's winner | Women's winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 50km | 8 | Scott Cheatham · 07:34:23 | — |
| 2025 | 50km | 18 | Aaron Yoder · 05:31:14 | Jodie Clouser · 07:06:47 |
| 2024 | 50km | 18 | Alex Shtogren · 06:16:56 | Alivia Sorah · 07:29:38 |
| 2023 | 50km | 20 | Nicholas Wirz · 04:35:54 | Elizabeth Chikotas · 05:07:19 |
| 2022 | 50km | 13 | Nicholas Wirz · 04:39:55 | Carrie Parker · 07:50:28 |
| 2021 | 50km | 19 | Nicholas Wirz · 04:46:33 | Stephanie Millholland · 08:05:53 |
| 2020 | 50km | 28 | Nicholas Dipirro · 04:50:24 | Sarah Kauk · 06:30:08 |
| 2019 | 50km | 20 | Ryan Leahy · 05:07:38 | Alyssa Godesky · 05:58:13 |
| 2015 | 50km | 27 | Joseph Flynn · 05:13:42 | Martha Wright · 06:15:29 |
| 2014 | 50km | 15 | Matthew Prescott · 05:00:47 | Birgit Mitchell · 06:40:13 |
The field shrank 56% between 2025 (18) and 2026 (8). 0% of the 2026 field were women.
DUV results for the 2026 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.
- GPS Watches Battery life first — a 50 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.
Overview
The Willis River 50K Trail Run, organised by Virginia Adventures, is a 50-kilometer trail race held in Cumberland, VA, with the next edition scheduled for January 3, 2027. The race has been run 10 times since 2014, with 8 finishers in the 2026 edition.
This race has a smaller field than 86% of 50k races, making it a smaller event compared to its peers. The course uses the Willis River Trail, which runs through Bear Creek Lake State Park and Cumberland State Forest.
Similar races
Other 50K trail ultras, closest in distance first.