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Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay

Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay

The Dismal Swamp Half Marathon offers a fast, flat, and shaded course ideal for setting personal bests.

Race Date

Dec 6, 2026

Location

Chesapeake, VA

Solid Pick49

Quick facts

Date
Sunday, December 6, 2026
Location
Chesapeake, Virginia
Distance
Half marathon (13.1 mi) + 50K, 26.2 Miles, 13.1 Miles
Course
Loop Course
Terrain
Road
USATF certified
Yes
Finishers on record
137

Highlights

Good For

BQ RelevantPR FriendlyDestination Worthy

Atmosphere

Party FinishSpectator SupportGreat SwagWell Organized

Course

Fast FlatShaded

The Experience

The Dismal Swamp Half Marathon, now in its 7th year, promises a swift and shaded running experience through Chesapeake, Virginia. This USATF-certified course is designed for speed, boasting a flat profile that has earned it recognition as one of the fastest in Virginia.

Runners can expect a welcoming atmosphere with supportive volunteers and ample aid stations offering a good selection of nutrition and hydration. The course itself is largely shaded, providing a comfortable environment even on warmer days. With approximately 265 finishers typically, the event offers a focused race-day environment.

Completing the half marathon earns participants a long-sleeve shirt and a finisher's medal, with a beer garden available for post-race celebration. The event is designed to be a strong opportunity for personal records and a solid race for those seeking a straightforward, fast half marathon.

Race-provided description

Welcome to the 7th Annual Dismal Swamp  /50K/Marathon/Half Marathon  and 50k Relay   Marathon will take place on our USATF Certified Course! Ranked the Fastest course in Virginia and 47th Fastest in the US by Findmymarathon.com! Huge BQ opportunity!    50K & Half Marathon courses are  also on a Certfied course   COURSE: The 50k & Relay Starts at 7:00 am & Marathon/Half Marathon starts at 7:30 am. There is a 9hr limit (4 PM). The course is an out and back 3.88 miles each way for the 50k. There are 4 loops for 50k.  The Marathon course is a Certified BQ Course, it's 6.55 up 6.55 back 2 loops for the Marathon & one Loop for the Half Marathon.  very fast course! The 50k and Marathon/Half Marathon courses are  USATF  Certified. FLUIDS AND FOOD: 1 full aid station at start/finish after every loop with food, water, and nutrition drinks! This year, due to the marathon& Half Marathon, there will be water stations set up on the course where the Marathon runners will hit 9 times & Half 4 times during the race. The manned stations will only be set up during the Marathon! We will leave an unmanned water station set up close to the 50k turnaround for the Ultra race when the Marathon is complete. AMENITIES & POST-RACE:  Finishers receive a Medal, Hoodie Sweatshirt for 50K, and long-sleeve shirt for Marathon & Half Marathon and Finishers items. All Runners who qualify for Boston will receive a BQ Shirt! New this Year, we will have a Beer Garden from 9 am-2 pm. Those of you who finish after the Beer Garden is closed will be able to redeem your two drinks at Garage Brewery until next weekend. We can only keep the Beer Garden open for a certain amount of time. We will also have Pizza to enjoy!

TIME LIMITS:  The 50K & 50K Relay Starts at 7 am & Full Marathon & Half Marathon starts at 7:30 AM  --   Finish line will close at 4 PM.  AWARDS: The top three males and Females overall and the top three males and females in the following Age groups: 39 and under/40-49/50-59 /60 and over will receive awards for the 50K! The top three males and Females overall and the top three males and females in 10-year age groups will also receive awards In the Marathon & Half REGISTRATION:  Registration will be open race day up to the Race Start STRIDER PLUS/LEGACY RUNNERS: A Discount will be applied at checkout. CLUB MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS: A Club membership discount of $5.00 is available up thru race day. Discounts are automatically applied on the payment page during registration. You should use the account you used to register for the club to apply for this discount. We will also attempt to match on name/date of birth. Paper entry forms are not available. PACKET PICKUP: Pre-race day Packet Pick will be at Running etc VB Saturday, December 5th, from 1-3 p.m., &Race day packet pick up will be at the start line starting at 6:15 am until the Marathon & half Marathon start! 50K RELAY: When registering, please signup your team if you are the 1st member signing up. Other members, please use the same team name.                     You can have anywhere from 2 to 4 members on your team!   ELITE FIELD: We will have an Elite Entry for this year's Race: to receive a Comp Elite Entry you had to have run faster than the time listed below in the last 2 years! if you would like to claim the entry, contact Thomas  Orangerunning@yahoo.com! We will also have Nutrition drop tables set up in multiple areas on the course for the marathon. Marathon MEN: 2:40 Women 3:00 50K Men:3:15 Women: 3:50 Half Marathon Men 1:15 Women 1:22

Logistics

Race Day

Sunday, December 6, 2026

Start Time

7:30 AM

Giveaway

T-Shirt

Start Location

Rest stop at mile post 4 Dismal Swamp, Chesapeake, VA, 23322

Directions

Course Info

USATF Certified

Course Type

Loop Course

Terrain

road

Scenery

Forest

Surface

Paved

Difficulty

Ultra-Flat

Net Drop/km

0 m (Flat)

Separation

0.0%

Also Offers

50K26.2 Miles13.1 Miles

USATF Certified Course

VA20011RT · Tidewater Striders Dismal Swamp Full and Half Marathon

Relatively flat with minimal net elevation change. Loop course — start and finish are close together.

Quality Score

Solid Pick49
Methodology
Heritage2/20

1 year running

Size12/15

~265 finishers a year

Momentum5/5

growing or steady

Loyalty0/20

0% returning runners

Course & details10/15

USATF certified · 5 timing sources

National draw7/10

runners from 13 states

Front-pack speed5/5

winner 1:13:44

Weather8/10

typical high 54°F

Race Day Weather

5-year historical avg

Start (Low)

38°

Afternoon (High)

54°

Ideal racing weather — cool and comfortable

0.1"

Precipitation

11 mph

Wind

76%

Humidity

Historical Finish Times

How 137 finishers actually crossed the line across 1 year.

Most recent

2025

Total finishers

137

Median time

2:08:14

Latest turnout

137

States

13

10%
25%
75%
90%
1:10p50 median ≈ 2:054:35
See full results

Hover the histogram to inspect specific finish times.

Race Photos

Frequently asked

When is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay?

The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay is held on Sunday, December 6, 2026, starting at 7:30 AM.

Where does the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay take place?

It takes place in Chesapeake, Virginia.

What distances does the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay offer?

The half marathon (13.1 miles), plus 50K, 26.2 Miles, 13.1 Miles.

Is the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay course flat and good for a PR?

The Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay is a ultra-flat, loop course course. The course is USATF-certified, so finish times can be used for qualifying.

How many people run the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay?

HalfRuns has finish records for 137 runners who have completed the Tidewater Strider Dismal Swamp 50K / Marathon /Half Marathon/50K Relay.

HalfRuns editorial — independent, no paid placement.

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