Retired Army veteran finds his purpose as Virginia ultra race director

7 minutes ago

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Virginia Adventures race director Dan Pulskamp puts on eight annual trail and ultra races in Central Virginia.

By Henry Howard

Retired Army veteran Dan Pulskamp set out to provide trail and ultra races throughout Central Virginia. Trading barbecue and beer for knowledge, he received guidance from an experienced race director.

From there, Pulskamp created Virginia Adventures, which started in 2014. He now directs eight trail and ultra races, including Night Train, a summer ultra in the south, which he calls “a crazy idea.” Next year, Pulskamp plans to add a 100K to Night Train to celebrate the 10^th year of the race.

For his contributions to the trail and ultra running community in Virginia, Pulskamp is my featured race director for October, the 34^th in this series. In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great.

To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.

Dan Pulskamp, Virginia Adventures race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: In 2011, when I began running ultras, there were far fewer options than there are today. I was having to drive long distances to get to races. So I decided Central Virginia needed some more choices.

Question: How did you get your start as a Virginia ultra race director?

Answer: I had been running a lot of events through RaceNC, a company began by Brandon Wilson. I emailed him and offered to buy all the barbeque and beer if he would sit down and mentor me on the behind the scenes stuff. So he mentored me on all the logistics early on in my career.

Question: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourself since you became an RD?

Answer: How much I needed this as a social outlet. I tend to be fairly reserved. Trail running in general and my events specifically have given me a community I didn’t know I needed. Also, as a retired Army veteran, I have been able to use trail running to connect with and help other veterans.

Dan Pulskamp is race director for Virginia Adventures, which puts on eight annual trail and ultra races.

Question: What’s your best piece of advice for someone who wants to be a race director?

Answer: Just start. But also, find a mentor. Finding a mentor can help first time race directors avoid some of the pitfalls that happen at inaugural events. Also, think outside of the box. Events that are unique and carry the RD/community’s personality are the most likely to succeed.

Question: What’s your favorite race to direct?

Answer: That’s like picking a favorite child. The Dogwood Ultra Marathon, held in March in Green Bay, Virginia, was my original event. It began as a 12-Hour event. Dogwood now offers options of 10 miles, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 Hours. It is amazing to see people discover what they are capable of.

Tied with Dogwood would be Night Train, which is held in June in Rice, Virginia. Summer night race in the south was a crazy idea. Now it is my most successful event. Night Trail offers a 5K, half marathon, 50K and 100K, which debuts in 2027.

Question: What’s your favorite race to run?

Answer: I loved the Georgia Jewel 100 and Salt Flats 100.

Question: Tell me about a funny experience as a race director and what you learned from it.

Dan Pulskamp created the Virginia Adventures where he serves as race director

Answer: Finding out you can change the character of the race by how you act. I had to reschedule a large event from December into May due to snow. To combat the disappointment, I created an 80s and 90s theme. We had cardboard cutouts at aid stations and finish lines of David Hasselhoff, Wayne and Garth, the burglars from “Home Alone” and Ricky Bobby. I spent the day dressed as Maverick from “Top Gun” and Magnum PI. It created a spectacularly fun event.

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be ....

Answer: Night Train is my most well-known race. Do that. We are celebrating 10 years of Night Train next year by adding a 100K to the 50K, half marathon and 5K.

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?

Answer: Looking at adding in a shorter social race next year. Also considering adding in a swim-run event. Plus maybe another collaboration. Plus I would love to do more timing of events.