EX2 Adventures puts on a series of great trail races in Virginia and Maryland. These races include a spring and fall series each with 4-5 races with 5 and 10 mile distances and a few half marathons with accompanying 10k distance option.

These races are a great opportunity for those in the Northern Virginia and surrounding areas to participate in a fun and friendly trail race with a small tight knit community feel.

The different courses vary in difficulty and depending on the season the weather can be too humid or quite chilly. The post race festivities are always great lots of good food and friendly faces. You can’t miss out on the awesome mini breakfast burritos!

The particular race I’m reviewing is the 2019 Fall Backyard Burn Hemlock course. I’ve run this course multiple times with EX2 both in the fall and spring. This fall the weather was a bit chilly but fantastic once you started moving. The course was challenging especially for someone like me who hadn’t been trail running in a while...some steep climbs and downhills, rocks, roots, smooth trails and single tracks, and beautiful scenery!

Both the 5 mile and 10 mile distance go out at the same time as the shorter distance is one loop and the longer two. When both groups are out it can be a bit crowded so line yourself up appropriately at the start and be patient and have fun! Once the 5 milers are done things thin out and you find yourself pretty much on your own enjoying nature.

I highly recommend this race series if you’re looking to get into trail running but keep in mind trail running can be more challenging than road running. I’m looking forward to running the final race of this year’s fall series on November 24 at Fountainhead Regional Park.

Also you get a nice soft tech shirt and free high quality race photos!!! There are also plenty of give aways and if you place in your age group you get a commemorative pint glass. The half marathon distance has medals but not the 10 mile series.