Face the Forest 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
- Date Sat 16th August 2025
- Time 7:30AM EDT
- Location Lynchburg, Virginia
- Price $48.70 - $526.00
- Races 20 races
- Distances 5km
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating day at the Face the Forest 5K Obstacle Course Race on Saturday, August 16, 2025, in the scenic Forest, Campbell! This exciting 3.1-mile race will take you through the historic grounds of Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest plantation, where you’ll tackle a variety of fun obstacles and embrace the thrill of mud along the way. Whether you’re a competitive elite runner vying for cash prizes or a participant in the non-competitive waves, this event promises camaraderie and adventure for all!
Participants can register early for a chance to secure lower fees and a guaranteed race T-shirt. Remember, registration fees increase after July 25, 2025, so don’t delay! With packet pickup available on August 14th and race day registration starting at 6:30 AM, it’s easy to join in the fun. Gather your friends, form a team, and experience the joy of teamwork as you navigate the course together. Mark your calendars and prepare to face the forest in a race that supports educational programming at Poplar Forest!
Participants can register early for a chance to secure lower fees and a guaranteed race T-shirt. Remember, registration fees increase after July 25, 2025, so don’t delay! With packet pickup available on August 14th and race day registration starting at 6:30 AM, it’s easy to join in the fun. Gather your friends, form a team, and experience the joy of teamwork as you navigate the course together. Mark your calendars and prepare to face the forest in a race that supports educational programming at Poplar Forest!
Organiser's Description
*NOTE: THE POPLAR FOREST PARKWAY OFF ENTERPRISE DR. WILL BE CLOSED ON RACE DAY. ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST ENTER VIA OUR SERVICE ENTRANCE AT:
687 POPLAR FOREST DR.
FOREST, VA 24551
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS TO SERVICE ENTRANCE CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.POPLARFOREST.ORG/VISIT/THE-RETREAT/DIRECTIONS/
DESCRIPTION
Are you up for an adventure? Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through Thomas Jeffersons Poplar Forest plantation encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way!
Entry fees will support educational programming at Poplar Forest.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register early and save! Registration fees increase to $50 on July 25, 2025.
Late registration and day-of registration fees increase to $60 beginning on Thursday, August 14th.
Race Day registration will be available beginning at 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 16th. T-shirts will ONLY be guaranteed to those who registered before July 25th. All others will be invited to come back immediately after the race and claim their t-shirts. First come, first served.
ELITE RUNNERS AND TEAMS - The first four waves of the race are reserved for Elite (or competitive) runners. Participants will compete for cash prizes and free entry into next years race. Elite runners must complete all obstacles (completion will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle) to qualify for prizes.
CORPORATE TEAMS AND ELITE TEAMS - Teams of 5-8 participants complete for the chance to win prizes. Teams are not required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive one finishing time for the last member of the team who crosses the finish line.
NON-COMPETITIVE WAVES - These waves begin at 8:20 a.m. These waves are designed for the vast majority of racers. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash and prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. _If you want to race with a specific person, please make sure you register in the same wave time. We cannot guarantee we can move you to another wave time._
Please make sure all participants you wish to race with choose the same wave time. Register early as once a wave time is filled, it will disappear! (20-person limit per wave time). Race organizers cannot guarantee the addition of runners to team waves who did not register with the team.
PACKET PICK UP
Packet Pickup will be held at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forests Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr. Forest, VA 24551) from 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 4-6 pm on Friday, August 14th.
We highly encourage everyone, if able, to pick up your packet on Friday, August 14th at Poplar Forest. Once you have picked up your packet, there is no need to check-in at the registration table on the day of the race. This will alleviate the congestion and lines at the registration and packet pick-up tables. If
you pick up your packet on Friday, please just meet us at the starting line 10-15 minutes before your starting wave time. If you are unable to pick up your packet on Friday, we will have pickup starting at 6:30 am on Saturday, August 16th.
All Corporate teams should plan to send ONE representative from each team to pick up their entire team's packet on Friday, August 16th during the times listed. We will pre-pull all corporate team packets to make a quick and easy pick-up.
687 POPLAR FOREST DR.
FOREST, VA 24551
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS TO SERVICE ENTRANCE CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS://WWW.POPLARFOREST.ORG/VISIT/THE-RETREAT/DIRECTIONS/
DESCRIPTION
Are you up for an adventure? Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through Thomas Jeffersons Poplar Forest plantation encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way!
Entry fees will support educational programming at Poplar Forest.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Register early and save! Registration fees increase to $50 on July 25, 2025.
Late registration and day-of registration fees increase to $60 beginning on Thursday, August 14th.
Race Day registration will be available beginning at 6:30 AM on Saturday, August 16th. T-shirts will ONLY be guaranteed to those who registered before July 25th. All others will be invited to come back immediately after the race and claim their t-shirts. First come, first served.
ELITE RUNNERS AND TEAMS - The first four waves of the race are reserved for Elite (or competitive) runners. Participants will compete for cash prizes and free entry into next years race. Elite runners must complete all obstacles (completion will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle) to qualify for prizes.
CORPORATE TEAMS AND ELITE TEAMS - Teams of 5-8 participants complete for the chance to win prizes. Teams are not required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive one finishing time for the last member of the team who crosses the finish line.
NON-COMPETITIVE WAVES - These waves begin at 8:20 a.m. These waves are designed for the vast majority of racers. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash and prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. _If you want to race with a specific person, please make sure you register in the same wave time. We cannot guarantee we can move you to another wave time._
Please make sure all participants you wish to race with choose the same wave time. Register early as once a wave time is filled, it will disappear! (20-person limit per wave time). Race organizers cannot guarantee the addition of runners to team waves who did not register with the team.
PACKET PICK UP
Packet Pickup will be held at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forests Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr. Forest, VA 24551) from 7 a.m.-9 a.m., 11:30 am - 1:30 pm and 4-6 pm on Friday, August 14th.
We highly encourage everyone, if able, to pick up your packet on Friday, August 14th at Poplar Forest. Once you have picked up your packet, there is no need to check-in at the registration table on the day of the race. This will alleviate the congestion and lines at the registration and packet pick-up tables. If
you pick up your packet on Friday, please just meet us at the starting line 10-15 minutes before your starting wave time. If you are unable to pick up your packet on Friday, we will have pickup starting at 6:30 am on Saturday, August 16th.
All Corporate teams should plan to send ONE representative from each team to pick up their entire team's packet on Friday, August 16th during the times listed. We will pre-pull all corporate team packets to make a quick and easy pick-up.
Races
-
Individual Elite/Competitive: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (7:30AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25The first 2 heats are reserved for Elite or competitive runners and will be the first to run on race morning. Participants are competing for overall cash prize and free entry to next year's race. Obstacle completion is required and will be monitored by race volunteers at each obstacle. -
Team Elite/Competitive: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (7:40AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25Groups of friends, families, co-workers and more must work together as they race through the 3.1 mile course in Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Teams of 5-8 participants will compete for the chance to win a prize. (TBD) Teams are NOT required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top. Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive ONE finishing time for the last member of their team when that person crosses the finish line. -
Corporate Team: 5K (Use CORPORATE TEAM Tab on Left Menu to Register)
Incl. $26.00 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:00AM EDT)
$526.00
OPENS MAY 25Groups of co-workers must work together as they race through the 3.1 mile course in Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Teams of 5-8 participants will compete for the chance to win a prize - a VIP table for up to 8 participants at the Thomas Jefferson Wine Festival on 11-9-24. Teams are NOT required to stay together, but it is encouraged as much of the course will require teamwork to come out on top! Individual finishing times will not be provided. Teams will receive ONE finishing time for the last member of their team when that person crosses the finish line. Registration for this category includes the following: Entry fees for 5-8 participants, sponsorship of the event including your organization/company logo on our race shirt as well as other marketing pieces, and informational booth at the event on race day (optional). -
8:20 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual: 5K (Obstacle Course Race)
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:20AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optionals and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:25 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:25AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS SOONThese heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:30AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:30AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS SOONThese heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:35 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:35AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:40 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:40AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:45 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:45AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:50 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:50AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
8:55 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (8:55AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:00 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:00AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:05 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:05AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:10 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:10AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:15 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:15AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:20 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:20AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:25 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:25AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:30 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:30AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS MAY 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:35 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:35AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS AUG 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time. -
9:40 AM Wave: Non-Competitive Individual
Incl. $3.70 Fee
Sat 16th August 2025 (9:40AM EDT)
$48.70
OPENS AUG 25These heats are designed for the vast majority of racers. This event is perfect for your first-time racing in an obstacle course race or for a group of family and friends who are looking to have a blast! It is recommended to start in a non-competitive heat before progressing to an elite heat. Participants in these heats are not racing for cash or prizes. All obstacles are optional and there are no penalties for not completing an obstacle. We are more focused on the experience than the race result. **The best way to ensure that you are starting at the exact same start time as your friends is to register for the same wave time.
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