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The praise for High Bridge Trail State Park keeps coming in, with the operation getting some national recognition this time. 

Lift Vault is a national workout magazine that recently took a poll of 3,000 fitness enthusiasts. They asked each person to rank the top outdoor workout locations in the United States. Once Lift Vault staff collected the data, they put together a list of the Top 150 Places for Outdoor Workouts. Now to qualify, the location had to offer more than just a place to exercise. The mission statement said each location had to be able to offer “an enhanced fitness experience through their natural beauty.” 

Only three places in Virginia made the list. Shenandoah National Park and the Virginia Beach Boardwalk are both in the Top 100. Coming in at #117 is Farmville’s High Bridge Trail State Park. The magazine description says “this rail-trail is centered around a historic bridge that is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River. It offers a relatively flat and straight path that is perfect for biking, running, or walking. The park extends for 31 miles through beautiful rural Virginia countryside, providing a peaceful setting for long-distance workouts with picturesque views.” 

First race comes next week 

High Bridge is going to be active over the next few weeks, with the first two of three Virginia State Park Adventure Series races taking place. This year’s set of Farmville events start on Sunday, June 9 with the High Bridge Time Trial, a 19-mile bike race running on the gravel rail trail. It starts and ends near Three Roads Brewery. Then later in the month on Saturday, June 22, the Night Train Ultra Marathon returns. This will mark the Night Train’s seventh year in Farmville, with three options for competition. There’s the 50k race, the half marathon or the Sunset 5k to choose from.

And the final race this year in Farmville will be the half marathon and 5k on Saturday, Oct. 5. It’s an out-and-back course, starting at High Bridge Trail State Park Plaza in downtown. The half marathon crosses the historic High Bridge twice.