If your looking for a small mid winter trail race this is a great one! Smithfield is a beautiful town. The 10k loops through the slightly hilly dirt packed trails of Windsor Castle Park. Most of the race is on the dirt trails with a small portion on the paved trail. It was a cold one this year (27 degrees) for Virginia but the scenery of the trails and the trees blocking some of the wind made for a wonderful run. The 10 AM start also let is warm up from the chilly teens earlier in the morning. The volunteers were great and helpful to keep you on the right track through the loops. There was one water table, which you pass twice due to the loops.

The run is timed the old fashioned way with rip off tags you hand in at the end. No timing mats or anything of that sort here. If your plan is to place and go out fast, you need to start at the front of the pack. Everyones time starts when the horn goes off.

This year there was also a 5k fun color run which started at 11 AM.

Packet pick up was the day before (Friday). No type of expo or anything like a bigger race, which wasn't expected.

Swag includes a t-shirt and a free beer/soda at the end of the race. If you wait around for the "party" after the 5k fun color run finishes up (at noon) there is food available FOR PURCHASE and music. You are given one ticket for one free beer / soda.

The reason for the 3 stars for T-shirts / Swag are:
- There is NO BLING. So if bling is your thing ;) all you get here is a few plastic strands of beads in your swag bag.
- No food unless you bring cash
- The t-shirt is nice and colorful and long sleeved but it is cotton

I gave it a 3 out of 5 for elevation because there are hills, nothing steep, but rolling hills throughout the trails.
Parking is literally right by the start line so no issues there.

Showers are available at the local YMCA if you finish the 10k and have time to head over there for a shower and a change of clothes before the noon party and awards. I guess that would all depend on how fast you finish.

Smithfield is lovely and has an old fashioned type of field to it. Nice shops, restaurants and bakery are a short drive from the park.