Willis River - Cumberland, VA
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Event overview
The Willis River fat-ass trail event takes place Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland, VA. The event offers the following distances:
- 50K
- 35K
- 20K
Entry is free. Participants are asked to bring a food donation of prepackaged items to share. Donations are accepted to help cover permit, insurance, and portajohn costs.
Course and logistics
The 35K uses much of the Willis River Trail and includes stream crossings and rolling hills. The 50K follows the 35K course, returns to the start, then completes an additional Bear Creek 10-mile portion. The 20K goes to the first aid station, then turns around and returns. The course is marked and uses white blaze markers; it can be wet, hilly, and sometimes hard to follow, so backtracking to the last white blaze is suggested if a runner becomes unsure of the route.
Organizers provide water, portajohns, and course marking. Because of health precautions, only individually packaged food items may be shared; items that would be handled by multiple people may be discarded. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.