Join us at 8AM April 14th for the 6th Annual Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon presented by Chesapeake Regional Medical Center Chesapeake Regional Medical Center. The flat 13.1-mile asphalt course will take runners on a spectacular jouney through lush, mysterious landscape and rich history. The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail off Route 17 offers runner forested wetlands and a peaceful paved path along the wilderness of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Returning this year, the Children's Half Mile Cub Run presented by Old Point National Bank. This half mile out-and-back fun run for children ages 12 and under is the perfect compliment to our successful Dismal Swamp Stomp.
All children will have access to the special children's activity area prior to the race and will receive a t-shirt and runner's packet. They will also receive a finisher's medal when they cross the
finish line. Parents are welcome to run along side their children. The cub run will start at 11:30 at the carved bear at the trail head and will finish across the half marathon finish line
Sanctioned by USA Track & Field, the out-and-back race begins at 8 am rain or shine. The event is limited to 2,500 runners and applicants will be accepted on a first-come/first-served basis. All runners/walkers must be able to complete the course in 4 hours or less. This race is open to walkers and baby strollers.
Proceeds from this year's race benefit two great Chesapeake charities; Chesapeake Care a Free Clinic, Chesapeake Public Schools Education Foundation and Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Youth Scholarship and Reduced Fee Program
Chesapeake Care provides health care services to employed individuals or individuals with inadequate income who cannot afford health care and who do not qualify for other assistance programs or have health insurance.
Chesapeake Public Schools Educational foundation. The Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation exists to help to promote and support our students by securing alternative and non-traditional funding sources to meet the educational needs of our children. The mission of the Chesapeake Public Schools Educational Foundation is to engage in activities that will establish scholarships, fund instructional initiatives, provide instructional materials, and improve Chesapeake's educational facilities. This is accomplished through fund-raising events, donations from businesses, employees, private citizens, trusts, and endowments.
The Youth Scholarship and Reduced Fee Program offers Chesapeake families financial assistance for their child(ren) to participate in fee-based recreation programs.
Scholarships in the amount of $65 per calendar year are available to Chesapeake youth ages 17 and under whose family receives public assistance as defined and confirmed by the Chesapeake Human Services Department.
Reduced Fees for Summer Blast and Stay & Play may change year to year depending on fee increases. The child/family must receive public assistance as defined and confirmed by the Chesapeake Human Services Department. Summer Blast and Stay & Play Reduced Fee participants cannot add the $65 scholarship to their account.
Cash awards will be provided to the top 5 male and female athletes based on AGE GRADED results. Follow this link for an age grading explanation.
Prize money breakdown for top five male and female age graded athletes will be:
1st $1,000, 2nd $550, 3rd $250, 4th $125, 5th $75
Non Monetary Awards will be given to: the top five overall male and female; the top
three overall masters male and female; the top three local male and
female; the back of the pack male and female; and the top three overall
male and female runners in each age group: 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29,
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69 and 70 and over. Top three male and female walkers are also awarded. Each
registered participant will receive a finisher's medal when they cross
the finish line.
We are proud to have partnered with the Hyatt Place Chesapeake/Greenbrier since 2009 to serve as our host hotel. The Hyatt Place Chesapeake/Greenbrier is pleased to offer a special rate of $107 per night, per room for the Dismal Swamp Stomp 1/2 Marathon. Visiting guests should make reservations prior to the release date which is 3/14/2012 to ensure availability of rate. After the release date, the group rate will no longer be available. Rates are subject to applicable taxes, which are currently 13% + $1.00 per room, per night, and subject to change without notice. Reservations can be made TWO ways: Calling toll-free: 888 Hyatt HP (1-888-492-8847). Please have your guests request Dismal Swamp Stomp 1/2 Marathon room block rate OR Booking on the web at Hyatt Place and using the special code: G-DSSH in the box labeled group/corporate #. All reservations must be guaranteed with an acceptable form of payment. Check-in time is 3pm. Check out time is 12noon. *Hotel Will Have Bagels, Bananas Hot Coffee, Hot Tea Out On Saturday Morning @ 5am For Racers In The Standard Breakfast Area.
Tell us what motivates you to train for and complete the 2012 Dismal Swamp Stomp Half Marathon by e-mailing us here. We love to hear great inspirational stories, and we love to share them!
This Year's Winning Story!
WHAT MOTIVATED ME TO TRAIN FOR THE DISMAL SWAMP STOMP 1/2 MARATHON 
This picture was a self- portrait I took of my son, Brian (age 31 at the time), and I kayaking along the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail in February 2005. The day before this photo was taken I had completed my first week of chemotherapy for leukemia. The nurse at the oncology office warned me that the treatment would not be easy. For the next six months I was to receive chemo for one week's time each month.
As one can imagine, my thoughts on this beautiful day in February were not on kayaking but on how I would hold up for treatments in the months to come. I wondered if the treatments would be successful and how much more time I had on this earth. When I look at this picture and I see my son's smile I know he was excited to be on the water with Dad in a boat that I had built. He looked up to me with confidence that we would make our journey together safely without incident. Unknown to us at the time was that our lives would switch and he would end up at the front fighting for his own life.
As the months went by and I continued treatment I never gave up on exercising. During my fifth month of chemo treatment I completed a century bike ride around Lake Tahoe with my wife who was raising money for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society through their "Team in Training" program. Lance Armstrong's book It's Not About The Bike continued to encourage me to never give up and to remain active despite the adversity. By the fall of 2005, I was in complete remission from the leukemia and back to my old self again.
I wish my story ended here but it does not. On April 12, 2006, disaster hit. My son, Brian, called and told me he was on his way to Duke Medical Center because he had just been diagnosed with leukemia, a much more acute, aggressive form than what I had. The doctors started his chemotherapy at midnight. For the next few months while Brian was in the hospital, our family shuffled back and forth from Virginia Beach to either Danville, VA, where Brian's family lived, or to Duke in Durham, NC to support Brian in the hospital. This was often overwhelming because Brian's wife had to continue working to keep money coming in and insurance intact and his sons, ages 18 months, 3 and 5 years needed care. Over the next several months, Brian, who owned his own business, was forced to close it down because he had no one to run it while he was incapacitated. Every week was a struggle in planning who would watch the children and who would visit Brian.
Sadly, Brian's leukemia did not respond well to the treatments so they recommended a stem cell transplant. He underwent the transplant and endured several painful weeks in the hospital and an extended stay in Durham after discharge so he could be seen daily in their clinic. My wife, Ellen, and I took a break by camping at False Cape State Park. Thanks to good cell phone coverage we got a call from Brian's pastor that his leukemia had returned and the doctors had nothing left to offer. He was being sent home with hospice care. Ellen and I made the six mile hike out of the park and back to our car knowing we would be heading to Danville to see my son perhaps for the last time.
Brian died on November 21, 2006, a mere seven months after his diagnosis. Our grandson stayed with us in the hotel the night before the funeral and at breakfast the next morning, imparted these words of wisdom that can only come from a child, "Hey Pa, I know where Daddy is. He's in heaven and he's not sick anymore."
In memory of my son, Ellen and I continue to do events as part of the "Team in Training" program. Though I can't bring Brian back, perhaps it can help someone else from going through what he did. This year, however, I am dedicating my running in the Dismal Swamp Stomp to my son, Brian, for our last kayak together.
Willie Vasser