Backyard Burn @ Pohick Bay

Sunday April 12, 2026

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Pohick Bay Course Description

Situated on Gunston Cove and adjacent to Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Gunston Hall, home of Founding Father George Mason, Pohick Bay is steeped in beauty and history. The trails are excellent, the water views are amazing, and bald eagle sightings are common. The moderately technical course includes tight single-track, wide open double-track, challenging climbs, and flowy descents. Don’t miss this awesome Backyard Burn course!

*** Race Day Information Email Sent to Racers ***

Race Date: Sunday April 12, 2026
Course Length: 5.9 miles (1 lap) OR 10.4 miles (2 laps)
Elevation Gain: 500 feet OR 850 feet
Bathrooms: Portajons and bathrooms at start/finish, none on course
Contact: Andy Bacon (RD) 703-338-3965 and info@ex2adventures.com

Register

Volunteer

Registration Fees

5 Mile
$45 – New year (through 1/1)
$50 – Early (through 1/12)
$52.50 – Regular (through 3/12)
$55 – Late (through 4/11)
$60 – Race day (if not sold out)

10 Mile
$55 – New year (through 1/1)
$60 – Early (through 1/12)
$62.50 – Regular (through 3/12)
$65 – Late (through 4/11)
$67.50 – Race day (if not sold out)

Register

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 a race t-shirt you’ll love.

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.

Little Fern Learning race day kids program

Little Fern Learning Kids Program

Little Fern Learning offers fun and engaging race day programs for your children while you are racing. Sanna Adams will spend the morning exploring the nature that area parks have to offer, engage in fun STEM activities, cheer on the 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) and pre-registration is required.

The cost is $55 per race day program ($45 for second child/sibling). If you are signing up for all four race days, the cost is $200 per first child and $180 for siblings for all four programs.

Learn more and register

Swag

Each race in the series offers a different swag item, however our popular tri-blend shirts are available at each race if you'd prefer one of those instead. Please note that racers receive only one of these tri-blend shirts per series. There is also an option to not receive any swag by selecting "I Don't Want Anything" during registration.

Race 1 at Wakefield swag is a tri-blend t-shirt (our normal race shirts)
Race 2 at Laurel Hill swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or a tech (polyester) shirt
Race 3 Pohick Bay swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or running socks
Race 4 Lake Fairfax swag is either a tri-blend t-shirt or a custom car seat cover

Finisher Medals (Optional)

Race medals are an optional add-on for each race ($7.50 pre-order and $10 on-site). We do this because in our racer surveys we find that some racers do not want a finisher medal, so we make them an optional add-on to keep cost and waste down. Racers who complete all four 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

Pohick Bay Regional Park
6501 Pohick Bay Dr.
Lorton, VA 22079

We stage the race on the frisbee golf course that is adjacent to the main park road on the right-hand side after you enter park. Please follow race parking signs and volunteer instructions when parking. We park in the large paved parking lot after the frisbee golf course and also the Pirate’s Cove Water Park parking lot.

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.