Backyard Burn @ Hemlock Overlook

Sunday November 15, 2026

Home → Trail Running → Fall Backyard Burn Trail Running Series → FBYB Hemlock Overlook

Hemlock Overlook Course Description

Hemlock Overlook, located along the banks of the historic Bull Run, feels surprisingly remote for being so close to Washington D.C. Sightings of deer, beaver, turkey, osprey and great blue heron are not uncommon in this 425 acre park. This beautiful race course consists mostly of hiking trails (including the Bull Run Occoquan Trail), old dirt roads, and open fields. Competitors will run over rocks and roots and along bull run. The course is designed to be spectator friendly with several areas designated for family and friends to cheer on their racers.

Race Date: Sunday November 15, 2026
Start Time: 9:00am
Location: Hemlock Overlook in Clifton, VA
Course Length: 5.2 miles (1 lap) OR 9.5 miles (2 laps)
Elevation Gain: 600 feet (5M) OR 1,200 feet (9.5M)
Bathrooms: Park bathrooms at start/finish. 5 milers pass by bathrooms at mile 2.6, 10 milers pass by them at miles 2.6 and 7.
Contact: Andy Bacon (RD) 703-338-3965 and info@ex2adventures.com

Parents…check out Little Fern Learning Kid’s Program!

Register

5 Mile Course Map

10 Mile Course Map

Registration Fees

5 Mile
$45 – New year by 1/1
$50 – Early by 8/15
$52.50 – Regular by 10/15
$55 – Late by 11/14
$60 – Race day (if not sold out)

10 Mile
$55 – New year by 1/1
$60 – Early by 8/15
$62.50 – Regular by 10/15
$65 – Late by 11/14
$67.50 – Race day (if not sold out)

Registration Fee Includes

Fun and challenging course design, professional race operations, wonderful volunteer support, awesome aid stations, medical support, plentiful post-race food (breakfast burritos and other tasty treats – yum!), electric atmosphere, great music, awards and give-a-ways, and race swag you’ll love! Finish medals are an optional add-on for this race.

Race Day Schedule

7:30 – Check-in opens
8:50 – Pre-race brief
9:00 – Race starts
9:30 – Post-race food available
10:45 – FREE Kids Race*
11:00 – Awards (top 5 in each category) and sponsor give-a-ways

* Kids race is for ages 2-11. We split into age groups and run short out and back ‘race’. Kids who participate can pick from the Treasure Box.

Kid's Race Day Program

We are thrilled to again partner with Sanna Adams and Little Fern Learning to offer our kid's race day program. The program offers fun, engaging programs for your children while you are racing. Kiddos will spend the morning exploring the nature that area parks have to offer, engage in fun STEM activities, cheer on our grown-ups and participate in a fun kids race. Drop-off your child between 8:30-8:45 and pick up after the kids race (approximately 11 am). Pre-registration is required.

Cost is $55 per program ($45 for second child/sibling). Signing up for all four dates? $200 per first child and $180 for siblings for all four programs.

Swag and Medals

Race 1 Laurel Hill swag is a tri-blend t-shirt (our normal race shirts)
Race 2 Lake Fairfax swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or a tech (polyester) shirt
Race 3 Hemlock swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or a car seat cover
Race 4 at Riverbend swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or running socks
Race 5 Fountainhead swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or a water bottle

Race medals are an optional add-on for each race ($7.50 pre-order and $10 on-site). Racers who complete all five races in the series will receive a special medal at no cost.

Backyard Burn at Laurel Hill

9601 Ox Rd Lorton, VA 22079

Race Location and Parking

Hemlock Overlook
13220 Yates Ford Rd.
Clifton, VA 20124

We stage the race inside the programming area of Horizons at Hemlock. We park in the gravel parking areas by the main trailhead, the adjacent winery parking gravel lot, and the fields leading to the farmhouse. Please follow race parking signs and volunteer instructions when parking.

Race Rules

Portable music players or any device requiring IN-EAR head phones are not permitted.
Outside assistance is only permitted within 50 meters of an aid station.
Race numbers must be worn on the front and must be visible at all times.
There are no cut-off times.
Pets and pacers are not allowed on the course.
Baby strollers are not permitted on the course.
Respect other racers, volunteers, race staff, and the environment. No littering.
Poor sportsmanship may result in disqualification.
Racers must notify race officials if they drop out of the race.
Stay on designated trails.