2026 Nail The Rail

What distances are available for this event?

• →9 Miler starting at 9:00 AM EST
• →5 Miler starting at 9:00 AM EST
• →Virtual option available at $40

How much does registration cost?

• →9 Miler: $45
• →5 Miler: $40
• →Virtual option: $40

What is the race day schedule?

• →Race Day Registration & Packet Pick Up: 7:30 AM – 8:45 AM EST
• →Start Time for both the 9 Miler and 5 Miler: 9:00 AM EST

What is the course structure for the 9 Miler?

• →The 9 Miler is an out-and-back course starting at Milepost 0 at the Virginia Avenue Trailhead.
• →Runners will travel to Milepost 4.5, turn around, and return to Milepost 0.
• →The course features a climb, a descent, and another climb, with the final 2.5 miles being downhill or flat.

What is the course structure for the 5 Miler?

• →The 5 Miler is an out-and-back course starting at Milepost 0 at the Virginia Avenue Trailhead.
• →Runners will travel to Milepost 2.5, turn around, and return to Milepost 0.
• →The course includes one good climb before the turnaround, followed by a downhill or flat stretch for the remaining 2.5 miles.

What is the elevation profile for the 9 Miler?

• →The 9 Miler course features a climb, followed by a descent, and then another climb.
• →The final 2.5 miles of the course are downhill or flat.

What is the elevation profile for the 5 Miler?

• →The 5 Miler course features one good climb before the turnaround.
• →The final 2.5 miles of the course are downhill or flat.

What is the "Nail the Rail" Challenge?

• →The "Nail the Rail" Challenge is the core concept of the event, encouraging participants to complete the 9-mile course in 60 minutes or less.
• →The challenge recognizes that meeting this time standard is difficult for older age groups.

What is the Golden Railroad Spike Award?

• →The Golden Railroad Spike Award is earned by meeting specific time standards on the 9-mile course.
• →These standards are based on age-adjusted targets derived from the USATF Age Grading tables.

What are the age-adjusted targets for the 9 Miler?

• →For example, the open standard is 60:00.
• →A male aged 40-44 has a target of 1:02:00.
• →A female aged 70-74 has a target of 1:28:00.

What is the philosophy of the event?

• →The event welcomes runners of all abilities.
• →Completing the 9 miles is recognized as a personal accomplishment, regardless of the time achieved.

What is the registration deadline for the 9 Miler and 5 Miler?

• →The registration deadline for both the 9 Miler and 5 Miler is February 25, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

What is the registration deadline for the virtual option?

• →The registration deadline for the virtual option is February 25, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.