2021 FOXFIELD COURSE
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Masks are required at all times with the exception of when you're actually out running or walking the course. All volunteers will be masked as well. Each Foxfield time slot will be limited to 10 openings due to Virginia and Albemarle county COVID-19 safety guidelines. Note that each slot will NOT start together as one single wave. It will be a rolling start so as to keep everyone as physically distanced and safe as possible. You just have to begin your race within 5 minutes of your starting time. The Foxfield Race will be chip timed.
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Why Foxfield?
If there's anything the past year has taught is, it's to be flexible and ready to adapt. The pandemic has been all about adjusting our expectations and looking for silver linings wherever we can. So with that in mind, we wanted to briefly outline our thought process in holding this year's race at Foxfield...
If there's anything the past year has taught is, it's to be flexible and ready to adapt. The pandemic has been all about adjusting our expectations and looking for silver linings wherever we can. So with that in mind, we wanted to briefly outline our thought process in holding this year's race at Foxfield...
- First and foremost, the safety of our participants and volunteers was paramount. So in order to hold a physical race (and not just go 100% virtual), we needed to find a place where we could run off dozens of waves over the course of several hours.
- Doing so on the road is essentially impossible to do safely due to the necessity of having to close the road. Since the event is taking place over 5+ hours on each of two separate days, the cost of doing so would be astronomical. Not to mention the inconvenience that it would place on our local residents trying to drive on that road.
- Keeping the above in mind, the logical and easy conclusion was to host the race at Foxfield. We've already held three races (Women's Four Miler, Men's Four Miler, New Year's Day 5K) at the same venue using extremely similar logistics and have had nothing but great experiences each time. It is an absolutely beautiful venue, and it's easy to see how it won the rights to host the NCAA Cross Country Championships back in 1987 as it is a premiere, world class cross country facility.
- We can completely relate to the hesitations that people have (on grass, hilly, not the normal famous 10 Miler course, etc), BUT after having the three events out there recently and after running and walking the course ourselves several times, we know people are going to love the experience. No, you won't be able to compare your Ten Miler time to past years, but you're still racing against the clock, pushing yourself to see what your body can produce on a given day, and seeing how you stack up against the rest of the field...all the while enjoying the unique scenery and the beautiful mountain views. And at the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about anyways?
- Just like everyone else out there, we so badly want to return to "normal" and enjoy experiences like racing the 10 Miler on its normal course...but we're just not there yet. So as we said earlier, it's time to adapt, be flexible, and find those silver linings. Plus, this will make the 2022 edition back on its normal home that much more enjoyable!
2020 DOWNTOWN COURSE
THE COURSE MILE BY MILE
MILE 1
A long uphill at the start helps to gently and safely lead the racers over a series of rolling hills along Alderman Road.
MILE 2
One of the longest and toughest hills peppers the runners as they climb the loop around Scott Stadium.
MILE 3
A gentle mile-long rise carries the racers along McCormick Road and through the heart of Jefferson's University to the UVA Chapel and Rotunda.
MILE 4
After a slight uphill along Rugby Road, the racers turn onto Grady Avenue and are treated to the longest downhill of the course.
MILE 5
The runners continue to get relief as they race down Preston Avenue but as they hit the brick of the Downtown Mall, the racers begin the first of a series of climbs.
MILE 6
After a long and gentle downhill through the historic Court Square area and a very steep plunge down scenic Second Street, the racers are hit with a tough climb up Northwood before flattening out along dogwood-lined Evergreen Avenue.
MILE 7
The legendary climb up Lexington and Maple is the most talked about section of the course. After their ascent, racers are rewarded with a cruise down Seventh Street, the Downtown Mall and then onto Water Street.
MILE 8
Many consider the gentle but seemingly unending uphill straightaway along Main Street to be the most mental portion of the course.
MILE 9
After climbing the steep hill along "The Corner," the racers are greeted with a gentle but long and steady downhill back through the beautiful University Grounds.
MILE 10
Alderman Road is like a roller coaster of hills but the racers know they're home when they crest the railroad bridge at Copeley Rd.
MILE 1
A long uphill at the start helps to gently and safely lead the racers over a series of rolling hills along Alderman Road.
MILE 2
One of the longest and toughest hills peppers the runners as they climb the loop around Scott Stadium.
MILE 3
A gentle mile-long rise carries the racers along McCormick Road and through the heart of Jefferson's University to the UVA Chapel and Rotunda.
MILE 4
After a slight uphill along Rugby Road, the racers turn onto Grady Avenue and are treated to the longest downhill of the course.
MILE 5
The runners continue to get relief as they race down Preston Avenue but as they hit the brick of the Downtown Mall, the racers begin the first of a series of climbs.
MILE 6
After a long and gentle downhill through the historic Court Square area and a very steep plunge down scenic Second Street, the racers are hit with a tough climb up Northwood before flattening out along dogwood-lined Evergreen Avenue.
MILE 7
The legendary climb up Lexington and Maple is the most talked about section of the course. After their ascent, racers are rewarded with a cruise down Seventh Street, the Downtown Mall and then onto Water Street.
MILE 8
Many consider the gentle but seemingly unending uphill straightaway along Main Street to be the most mental portion of the course.
MILE 9
After climbing the steep hill along "The Corner," the racers are greeted with a gentle but long and steady downhill back through the beautiful University Grounds.
MILE 10
Alderman Road is like a roller coaster of hills but the racers know they're home when they crest the railroad bridge at Copeley Rd.
"GO FOR IT" SECTIONS OF THE COURSE
There are some great downhill section treats along the course, where it is in your best interest to really push the pace by leaning into them!
The downhill just after you turn off Alderman left onto Stadium Road (~mile 1.4).
The long, seemingly unending descent down Grady and Preston to the mall (~mile 3.4 to 4.8).
The long descent on Jefferson, starting at the old Courthouse, and running all the way to the bottom of 2nd street (~mile 5.2 to 5.7).
The short but very steep downhill just as you pass the 6 mile mark on Evergreen, that takes you to the start of Lexington Avenue.
The descent as you crest Maple at 7th street, that takes you all the way to Water St. (~6.7-7.1).
The short but steep downhill as you pass the Red Roof Inn on the Corner (~mile 8.2).
The short but sweet feeling downhill on McCormick after you pass through the first set of bus gates in Central Grounds at UVa and takes you across the bridge (~mile 8.8).
The downhill just as you turn off McCormick onto Alderman (~mile 9.2).
The short but steep downhill at St. Mark’s just as you approach Ivy Road at mile 9.8…Go!!!
The downhill just after you turn off Alderman left onto Stadium Road (~mile 1.4).
The long, seemingly unending descent down Grady and Preston to the mall (~mile 3.4 to 4.8).
The long descent on Jefferson, starting at the old Courthouse, and running all the way to the bottom of 2nd street (~mile 5.2 to 5.7).
The short but very steep downhill just as you pass the 6 mile mark on Evergreen, that takes you to the start of Lexington Avenue.
The descent as you crest Maple at 7th street, that takes you all the way to Water St. (~6.7-7.1).
The short but steep downhill as you pass the Red Roof Inn on the Corner (~mile 8.2).
The short but sweet feeling downhill on McCormick after you pass through the first set of bus gates in Central Grounds at UVa and takes you across the bridge (~mile 8.8).
The downhill just as you turn off McCormick onto Alderman (~mile 9.2).
The short but steep downhill at St. Mark’s just as you approach Ivy Road at mile 9.8…Go!!!
TURN-BY-TURN DIRECTIONS OF THE COURSE
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Mile 1
-Start between John Paul Jones Arena and the McCue Center. (Massie Rd.) -Left on Copeley Rd. -Continue across Ivy Rd. onto Alderman Rd. Mile 2 (water stop near McCormick) -Continue on Alderman Rd. -Left on Stadium Rd. -Left on Whitehead Rd. Mile 3 -Continue on Whitehead Rd. -Right on Alderman Rd. -Right on McCormick Rd. Mile 4 -Cross University Ave. onto Rugby Rd. -Right on Grady Ave. Mile 5 (water stop on Downtown Mall) -Continue on Preston Ave. -Right on Old Preston Ave. (Onto Downtown Mall) Mile 6 -Pass Chalk Wall near Pavilion on left side and turn left on 7th St. -Left on Jefferson St. -Right on 2nd St. -Continue right on Northwood Ave. -Cross Park st to Evergreen Ave. Mile 7 (water stop on Downtown Mall) -Continue on Lexington Ave. -Right on Maple St. -Left on 7th st. (To Downtown Mall) -Right onto Downtown mall. Pass Chalk Wall on left side. -Left on 5th St. -Right on Water St. Mile 8 (water stop near McCormick) -Continue on Water St. onto Main St. Mile 9 -Continue on Main St. onto University Ave. -Left on McCormick Rd. Mile 10 -Continue on McCormick Rd. -Right on Alderman Rd. -Cross Ivy onto Copeley Rd. -Finish between University Hall and Track |
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