
From the Organizer
Get ready to blaze the trails at the 2nd Annual McDonough Trail Race on July 18, 2026, at the stunning McDonough Wildlife Refuge in Vienna, WV! This thrilling race offers runners and walkers a chance to conquer a scenic 4-mile loop, weaving through lush forests and past duck marshes, with total elevation gains per loop up to 430 feet. Runners will charge through the 4-mile loop twice for a total distance of ~8 miles.
Perfect for trail enthusiasts of all levels, this event promises a blend of rugged trails, wildlife wonders, and the wild spirit of West Virginia. Lace up, embrace the adventure!
There will be at least 2 hydration stations on the course. Stocked with water, Tailwind hydration and pickles.
~ AWARDS ~
Top 3 Overall finisher in each category
Top 3 in Age Groups in each category
Our age groups are as follows 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75+
There will be no repeat award winners.
Stay after awards for our Door Prizes.
There will be bananas, granola bars, snacks and smoked pulled pork sandwiches for everyone. Along with water and other hydration drinks available.
As part of the River City Runners and Walkers Series 2026, this race is 1 of 6 races in the series to earn your personalized jacket at the awards banquet. Don’t miss this thrilling blend of rugged trails, wildlife wonders, and frontier spirit—sign up now and claim your spot in West Virginia’s ultimate trail adventure!
The other races in the River City Runners and Walker Series 2026 are:
Chik-Fil-A 10k/2 mile, Parkersburg High School, Parkersburg, WV
Kicks 4 Kids, Parkersburg, WV
Parkersburg Half/2mile Parkersburg, WV
The Mountwood Challenge Trail Race, Waverly, WV
The Broughton’s 5 Mile Trail Race, Marietta, OH
Thank You to our Sponsors
Events
Weather
It's too far out for a forecast, so here's what weather on this date is normally like in the area. A race day forecast will replace this as race week approaches.
Typical High
87°
Typical Low
66°
Chance of Rain
36%
Based on US Climate Normals data from Parkersburg, 3 mi from the venue.
Host City
Elevation
632 ft
Nearest Airport
PKB
Mid Ohio Valley Regional Airport · 6 mi
Major Hub
CMH
John Glenn Columbus International Airport · 86 mi
Time Zone
Eastern Time
From Endurance Grid
Line up lodging and travel early to lock in your race weekend.
Race Location
Your Next Start Line
Every finish line starts with a single decision. Claim your spot at McDonough Trail Race, put it on the calendar, and turn “someday” into a start date.
Coming Up
MOV Out of the Darkness 5K
6 miles away
Chick-Fil-A 10k Road Race and Two-Mile run/walk
6 miles away
Jan Dils Freedom Fun Run 5K
6 miles away
Kicks4Kids 5K Run/Walk
6 miles away
From Endurance Grid
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
McDonough Trail Race
Jul 18, 2026