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Join Poplar Forest for the 12th annual Face the Forest Obstacle Course 5K! Challenge yourself to beat the clock as you take on a 3.1-mile obstacle race through the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest plantation, encountering obstacles (and some mud) along the way! Entry fees will support children’s educational programming at Poplar Forest. The obstacle course race is open to families and teams of all ages.

Runners can choose to run in competitive (or elite) waves to race for prizes or in non-competitive waves for fun. Registration fees are $40/person through July 25th. Fees increase to $45 on July 26th and again to $55 on August 15th (beginning August 15th, online registration will be disabled and registration must happen directly through Poplar Forest). Race day registration will be available for $55 beginning at 6:30 a.m. on August 17th.

T-shirts will only be guaranteed to those who registered before July 26th. All others will be invited to come back immediately after the race and claim a t-shirt. First come, first served.

Packet pick up for runners will take place at the Poplar Forest Service Entrance (687 Poplar Forest Dr. Forest, VA 24551) on Friday August 15th from 6-9 a.m., 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. We highly encourage runners to pick up their packets on Friday.

Face the Forest is a rain or shine event.