If you’re looking for a way to get outside, get moving, and support historic preservation all at the same time, this one checks every box.
The Friends of Wilderness Battlefield are hosting a 5K and 10K race at Payne’s Farm in Locust Grove on Saturday, March 7th, 2026.
The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. and wraps up around 11 o’clock, with the course located directly across from Zoar Baptist Church on Zoar Road.
This isn’t just any racecourse. Runners and walkers will be moving through dirt trails and open fields on the actual battlefield where the Battle of Payne’s Farm took place in November of 1863, during the Mine Run Campaign. So good walking or running shoes are definitely recommended.
The land is owned by the American Battlefield Trust for preservation and protection, and the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield work alongside them to help steward and protect this historic property.
Registration is open now through Bishop’s Events, and sponsorship opportunities are also available for businesses or organizations who want to support historic preservation and get their name out there.
Sponsorships range from:
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$100 to $149 for name recognition on the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield website
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$150 to $249 for website recognition plus name placement on the event T-shirt
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$250 and above for website recognition and your logo featured on the shirt
Sponsorship registration closes February 5th, so now’s the time to jump in.
You’ll find race registration, course maps, and sponsorship info online, with more details coming soon to the Friends of Wilderness Battlefield website.
A great cause, a beautiful setting, and a meaningful way to support history while getting some fresh air.
