JackFest 2026

The race.

JackFest 2026 takes place on October 18 in Charlottesville, VA, and features cross-country races for elementary and middle school students, along with shorter superhero dash events for younger children. Elementary races include 1-mile events for girls (grades K–5th at 1:00 PM) and boys (grades K–5th at 1:15 PM), while middle school competitors run 2 miles in separate girls' (grades 5–8th at 1:30 PM) and boys' (grades 5–8th at 1:50 PM) races. Additional events include superhero dashes at 100, 200, and 400 meters, a child-parent 2×200-meter relay, a 1.5-mile race, a 2.5K, and a virtual superhero option. All XC race entries include a free JackFest shirt and medals for top three finishers in each grade; team scoring awards a champion plaque to the winning school. Early registration costs $15 (increasing to $20 on October 1st), with race-day registration available starting at 11:45 AM at Foxfield. Courses feature a mix of grass terrain with rolling hills and flatter sections.