A few weeks ago, it was world-class horses jumping over four-foot obstacles. Today, it was a couple hundred humans taking on the same course, although we didn’t have to leap over the fences. It was, however, pretty slick in places with frost-covered grass.
Great Meadows in Fauquier County hosts Virginia Gold Cup in May and the International Gold Cup in mid-October. This October’s event was the 75th anniversary of the races. I’ve never been to a race, but my understanding being a spectator involves a good amount of drinking and an occasional horse going by.
The run, a 5k, was surprising difficult with a few rolling hills and the wet grass. A pond, geese, farms and nearby hills made for a picturesque setting, though it would have been fun if there had been some horses along the way.
Fauquier County is where the D.C suburbs end and the Shanandoah Valley begins. It is known as being horse country as well as the heart of Virginia’s wine country. The median income is more than $93,000, putting it in the top 10 in the U.S.
30 down, 104 to go.
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