It’s Back!!!!!!!!!
Nail the Rail 5 & 9 Miler Returns for 2026 🏃♂️🚂
Lace up your running shoes — the popular Nail the Rail 5 & 9 Miler is back for 2026!
The race begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Virginia Ave Trailhead for the Dick & Willie Passage, and for those who can’t make it in person, a virtual option is available.
The Challenge: Can You Nail the Rail?
The concept is simple — but not easy.
Runners attempt to NAIL the RAIL by completing the 9-mile course in 60 minutes or less. It’s a bold goal, a serious test of speed and endurance, and an accomplishment that sets you apart.
But make no mistake — this event welcomes runners of all abilities. Whether you cross the finish line in 50 minutes or an hour and 50 minutes, you’ve achieved something that the majority of people never will.
And that’s worth celebrating.
Course Details
Both races begin at the Virginia Ave Trailhead on the scenic Dick & Willie Passage.
🏃♀️ 5 Miler
- One solid climb before the turnaround
- The final 2.5 miles are downhill or flat — a fast, strong finish
🏃♂️ 9 Miler
- Climb
- Descent
- Another climb
- Then finish the final 2.5 miles downhill or flat
It’s a course that rewards grit early and lets you empty the tank at the end.
Nail the Rail Standards 🥇
Runners who meet the official Nail the Rail standards will earn more than just bragging rights. In addition to traditional Overall and Age Group awards, qualifiers will receive a coveted:
🟡 GOLDEN RAILROAD SPIKE
Because earning it should feel legendary.
Organizers recognize that running 60 minutes or less may feel nearly impossible for some — especially seasoned runners. So age-adjusted targets have been implemented beginning at age 40, based on USATF Age Grading tables.
The Ultimate Achievement
The gold standard remains running the 9 miles in 60 minutes or faster.
But here’s what makes this race special: performance is about perspective.
A 70-year-old female finishing in 1:30 is the age-grade equivalent of a 25-year-old male running 60 minutes. Both performances deserve celebration. Both represent excellence.
Both have absolutely nailed it.
Whether you’re chasing a Golden Railroad Spike or simply challenging yourself, the Nail the Rail 5 & 9 Miler is back for 2026 — and ready to test your limits.
Are you up for it? Click HERE to register.
