The DHRT 50K

Some races test your limits. Others remind you of why you fell in love with running in the first place. The Dahlgren Heritage Railroad Trail 50K this past weekend? Somehow, it did both. Between the smooth, shaded trails, a perfectly mild break in Virginia’s usual August heatwave, and a sub-5 hour finish that I had to dig down deep and absolutely grind for until the very last mile, this one will go down as a special race for reasons that extend far beyond the stopwatch.

Friday Pre-Race

The weekend began with a peaceful drive down to Colonial Beach. Traffic was light, the skies were gray, and our daughter snoozed almost the entire ride. Unfortunately, it wasn’t just road trip drowsiness. She came down with a virus thanks (but not really) to one of her daycare buddies, and was definitely feeling it by the time we arrived. Navigating pre-race packet pickup with a sick, lethargic toddler isn’t exactly ideal, but my wife Sarah handled it with remarkable grace. She did perk up a bit as we visited the nearby Dollar General Store and scored a big pack of Play-Doh that entertained her all weekend.  For $3, it was well worth it.

From there we grabbed dinner at Chipotle (pro tip: the new Honey Chipotle Chicken is amazing—let’s hope it sticks around permanently!), then headed over to the pre-race meeting back at the local Anytime Fitness. The mandatory briefing covered all the usual race logistics, with a few solid highlights. First, the swag. A buttery-soft race tee, a cool keychain, a sticker, and support from Hammer Nutrition? That’s a strong showing. Second, the race director, Kristen. Not only did she clearly care deeply about the course and the runners, but she also took a moment to share her story of being recently diagnosed—and thankfully, cleared—of skin cancer. That hit home. I lost a fraternity brother, Kip, to melanoma a few years ago, and hearing her speak was a powerful reminder to take our health seriously, even in small, preventative ways.

After the pre-race briefing we ventured back to our little cottage and called it an early night.  Not only did Sarah handle a sick, clingy toddler all evening, but she then let me have the bed to myself as she slept with and cared for our daughter all night.  On the heels of our 4th wedding anniversary, it reminded me yet again how grateful I am to walk (and run) through life with her.

Race Morning: Bug Spray, Banter, and a Vest Debate

As usual, race morning started before the alarm. I was up by 4:45 a.m., fifteen minutes early, with my normal race-day mix of nerves, excitement, and gratitude. I took some quiet time to read a short devotional and spend a few minutes in prayer, and then dove into my pre-race routine: caffeine, hydration, bathroom, Squirrel’s Nut Butter (generously applied), and a liberal coating of bug spray. Between deer flies and tick warnings from the night before, I wasn’t taking any chances. I may have smelled like a citronella candle, but I was ready to go.

Pulling into the UMW Dahlgren campus, I parked next to Alex—a fellow ultrarunner and father of teenagers from Waldorf, Maryland. We talked about the race, our families, and debated the ever-important question of hydration: vest or handheld? I had brought both options, and after experimenting with how awkwardly heavy my handheld became with keys, gels, and other items stuffed inside (it felt like a brick), I settled on the vest without the bladder. That ended up being the perfect call. Lightweight, breathable, and just enough storage for my things.

In the porta potty line, I struck up a conversation with a fellow runner sporting tattoos and a nose ring who’s currently doing 18-mile training runs for the Marine Corps Marathon. We chatted about pacing, prep, and logistics for the 50th anniversary race in October, and it quickly became a group conversation as several others chimed in with helpful tips. Turns out the metro to Crystal City is a solid option if you want a shorter walk on race morning—good to know!

Then came a goosebump moment: the national anthem, sung by Steve DeSantis, a 16-time Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail finisher. The only runner who’s completed it every year since the inaugural race in 2009. That’s the kind of legacy I love about this sport.

The Race: Flat and Fast

We hit the trail at 6:30AM, and from the first few strides I could tell the cooler weather was going to be a gift. The course itself is incredibly flat—rail trail all the way—but what it lacks in elevation, it makes up for in texture. One minute you’re floating over pine needles and moss, the next you’re clunking over gravel and dodging dense undergrowth. But it’s beautiful, and so very peaceful. There was even a section covered in kudzu, which looked a lot like the enchanted section of West Virginia’s Rim to River 100 miler I encountered in November of 2023. It was a great reminder to enjoy the beauty of God's creation and my previous racing adventures with Sarah. As I mentioned before we just recently celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary, and as I ran, I reflected on what a blessing it is to be married to such an incredible woman.

I tucked in with the second lead pack and hovered in the top 20 for most of the day. The early miles were effortless, helped along by the latest episode of Choose Strong with Sally and Eddie McRae in my ears. Somewhere around mile 4, inspired by Sally’s story, I channeled some race-day energy to “pass, gap, and bury” a poor soul really struggling up a hill.  To be fair, he did catch me again ten miles later, but I’ll still claim the moment.

Nutrition-wise, everything clicked. I started the morning with a few scoops of Optimum Nutrition Amino Energy and had my first Hammer gel around mile 3. From there, I alternated between real food and aid station treats: a pack of peanut butter crackers at mile 7, PB&J squares, half a banana, a chocolate chip cookie at the 15.5 mile turnaround, and another PB&J square around mile 27 to power me through the home stretch. Everything sat well, and my energy levels stayed steady throughout the race.

Between miles 12 and 18, I made two new friends: Jonathan, a 23-year-old from Ohio who just ran the Miami marathon earlier this year, and John, a 42-year-old father of two from Mechanicsville who crushed the Richmond Marathon in 3:08. We talked about training, family, and how running fits into the chaos of parenting.  It was the kind of exchange that reminds you ultras are about people just as much as they are about pace.

From mile 24 on, I knew it was going to be close. I had a shot at breaking five hours, but the math was tight. I turned off the podcasts and ran the final 3 miles in prayer—no distractions, just focused breathing and silent conversation with God. I kept thinking about my wife and daughter, still curled up in bed together when I left them, and the many blessings I often take for granted: air in my lungs, strength in my legs, blood in my veins, and a family waiting for me at the finish.

I crossed the finish line in 4:54:49. Just barely under the 5 hour mark, but still under nonethless. After missing my time goal at the Revel White Mountains Marathon by a mere 15 SECONDS earlier this year, it felt really good to accomplish my goal. A new 50K PR and a reminder that even when it hurts, staying focused on purpose over pain really makes all the difference.

The Unsung Heroes: Aid Station Volunteers

One of the highlights of this race? The aid stations. Not only were they spaced perfectly along the course, but they were cup-less, eco-friendly, and very well-stocked. I loved that the HydraPak SpeedCup from check-in actually got use, and I didn’t have to feel guilty about tossing paper cups into overflowing bins. I will definitely be using it at future races! Even better, many of the volunteers were members of local high school cross country teams. Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious—and a hopeful sign for the future of trail running.

Post-Race: Ice Cream and a New Favorite Restaurant

After the race, I made my way back to the quiet Colonial Beach cottage we rented for the weekend.  After a joyful family reunion and lunch, my little girl went down for a nap, which allowed Saran and I to share a moment of quiet celebration. When she awoke, we enjoyed a family stroll through town, ice cream from the iconic Pink Poodle, and some fun times at a local playground.  It made my heart happy to see her feeling so much better.

That evening, we found a hidden gem—Los Hermanos Cantina—and had what might’ve been the perfect post-race meal. We were seated quickly, had chips, salsa, and ice water on the table within minutes, and our meals (chicken fajitas for me, ahi-tuna tacos for Sarah) were absolutely delicious.  The food was quick, the drinks top-shelf, the service stellar, and the views of the Potomac River that kept our daughter entertained while we soaked it all in were stunning. When you're ravenous, exhausted, and dining with a toddler, those things matter. A lot.

Here is the Yelp review I left, but the TL;DR is: go there. Get the chicken fajitas. And the Mexican Mule with top-shelf tequila.  You can thank me later.

Final Thoughts: A Finish Line Worth Fighting For

In many ways, this race was a celebration—not just of a personal PR, but of the quiet, everyday blessings that surround me: a wife who supports this wild sport I love. A daughter whose beautiful smile and laughter stayed with me for all 31 miles. A body that continues to show up and perform when called upon. And a God who reminds me that every breath is a gift.

The DHRT 50K didn’t just give me a strong finish time. It gave me space to reflect, connect, and remember why I run in the first place. As I crossed the finish line, I didn’t just feel fast. I felt full. Of gratitude. Of love. Of joy. And I can’t wait to do it all again.