Fountainhead Region Park to Host 2025 Collegiate Trail Running National Championships This Sunday

EX2 Adventures and Collegiate Running Association welcome student-athletes from across the nation

May 15, 2025 – Fairfax County, VA — The Collegiate Running Association (CRA), in partnership with EX2 Adventures, is excited to announce the return of its Trail Running National Championship to Fairfax County, Virginia. Taking place this Sunday, May 18, the 2025 championship will once again be held in conjunction with the Fountainhead 10K Trail Race at the scenic Fountainhead Regional Park.

Now in its fifth year, the CRA’s Trail Running National Championship provides a rare and inclusive opportunity for college students to compete in a national-level trail running event—an athletic discipline not officially sanctioned by the NCAA. Students of all experience levels, including varsity athletes, postgraduates, and recreational runners from colleges and universities nationwide, are invited to participate.

On race day, collegiate athletes will compete alongside the general public in the Fountainhead 10K Trail Race. Separate post-race results will recognize the collegiate field, with awards presented to the top five student finishers. These athletes will also earn Collegiate Running Association All-America honors, and prize money will be awarded to the top three male and female collegiate finishers. Winners will also receive JAMBAR, the official nutrition bar of the Collegiate Running Association.

The men’s race will crown a new champion this year, as 2024 titleholder Stuart Terrill is not returning. Key contenders include Zach Stevens, last year’s fourth-place finisher who also broke the previous course record, and his University of Richmond teammates Taylor Healy and Carter Bruns. Also, in the hunt are Zach Prescott, an Adams State graduate student and current assistant coach at American University, along with Gavin Brown (NOVA) and Kevyn Silverman (SANS Technology Institute).

On the women’s side, sister duo Maia Ciccarello (California Lutheran University) and Emma Lia Ciccarello (Susquehanna University) will compete against strong challengers like Josie Gleason (Fordham University), Emaan Zekria (George Mason University), and a talented trio from the University of Richmond: Charlotte Hudson, Laurel Kurtz, and Paige Joyce.

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with EX2 Adventures,” said Steve Taylor, Co-Founder of the Collegiate Running Association. “The 2024 championship was a great success, and Fountainhead Regional Park offers an ideal venue. It’s easily accessible from across the country and gives college athletes the chance to experience a national championship in trail running—a segment of our sport that deserves more attention and opportunity.”

In addition to the 10K, the day’s events will include a separate half marathon. However, only the 10K will serve as the official Collegiate Trail Running National Championship. Both courses will highlight the rugged beauty of Fountainhead Regional Park, located just 30 minutes from Washington, D.C. The 10K route includes sections of the iconic Bull Run–Occoquan Trail, as well as a challenging side trail climb that promises to leave runners inspired and breathless.

For more information, visit the official websites of the Collegiate Running Association and EX2 Adventures.