New River Trail Challenge Triathlon

Sept. 21, 2013 - Foster Falls, Va.

Virginia State Parks, Dominion Power, Appalachian Power and Carillion Clinic are proud to bring back the New River Trail Challenge for 2013 on Saturday, Sept. 21. After growing leaps and bounds in 2012, the challenge has become Virginia’s premiere long-distance adventure triathlon. The 2012 race attracted 167 athletes from eight states and the District of Columbia. We’re expecting attendance to skyrocket this year, so take advantage of reduced early registration fees and ensure your spot. To make sure we bring you the best event possible, we limit attendance to the first 300 registrants.

Off and riding! Cyclists begin their 40-mile ride along the scenic New River.

The challenge has a 40-mile bike ride, 12-mile kayak leg and half marathon along southwestern Virginia’s 57-mile-long New River Trail State Park. Participants can either choose to compete solo or in teams of two or three. Athletes of all fitness levels compete in several age groups and categories. Check out last year’s results and click on the following links for the entry forms and the rules and regulations.

Kayakers compete in a 12.1-mile trek from Foster Falls to Allisonia.

Improvements in 2012 included hot showers for the competitors and two beverage tickets to the “Libation Station” good for cold adult beverages as well as an assortment of non-alcoholic choices. Stay tuned to find out which local brewery will be supplying the event's handcrafted brews. New food vendors will also take part in the 2013 event.

Thanks to feedback from participants, the 2013 race will feature an improved, safer start with professional timing provided by Woody Elliot of the Virginia Off-road Series. Also, Mike McMillion of Pulaski Bikes will help support the race's bike leg.

We’ll have family entertainment throughout the day with face painting, moon bounce, corn hole, movies for the kids in our Discovery Center and a daylong Junior Ranger program. Rent a canoe from our livery for a peaceful float down the river or rent a horse to ride along the New River Trail while your friend or family member competes in the race. Contact the reservation center online at 800-933-7275 for campsite availability and rates.

Jan Kriska, first-place individual finisher, had an overall time of 05:40:12.

The Race

There are three stages. It starts at Foster Falls with a 40-mile mountain-bike ride followed by a 12-mile kayak stage and ends with a half marathon (13.1 miles). Racers must check in at race headquarters between 6 and 7:30 a.m. and be at the starting line by 7:45 a.m. for a mandatory pre-race meeting.

Click here to download the New River Trail Challenge Rules and Guidelines. Stage time starts, transitions, requirements, courses, water and aid stations, and recommendations are described in the document. Read it carefully before arriving at the race.

Individual competitors must bring their own support crew. Team competitors in the running stage are responsible for their own transportation to and from the Allisonia transition. A gear-only shuttle will be available to return kayaks from Allisonia to the Foster Falls access area.

For individuals, registration is $50 through Aug. 19 and $70 from Aug. 20 through Sept. 13. For teams, it's $100 through Aug. 19 and $140 from Aug. 20 through Sept. 13. Registration is $75 for individuals and $150 for teams from Sept. 14 through race day. The race is limited to the first 300 to sign up so sign up now. Registration fees include high-quality event T-shirts, awards, two beverage tickets and assorted prizes provided by our sponsors. Click here for the application forms.

Individuals

Competitors must be at least 18 on race day to take part in the race. Awards are given to the top three overall male and female finishers. Awards are also given to the top three finishers in four age groups: 18 to 29, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, and 50 and up. Read the rules and regulations for more detail.

Teams

Competitors may also race in two or three-person teams. The teams may be female, male, mixed, senior male or senior female. Mixed teams may be any combination of genders, and senior team members must be at least 50 years old on race day. Read the rules and regulations for more detail.

We also bring back two very popular categories for 2013. The Collegiate Challenge, with awards presented to the top three college or university teams. Teams must have at least two student or faculty members from the same university to qualify for deeply discounted registration fees. Click here for the Collegiate Challenge application form. The second returning category is the Sponsor Challenge, with awards presented to the top three sponsor teams and bragging rights for 2013.

Restrooms, etc.

Restrooms, changing stations and portable toilets will be at Foster Falls, Buck Dam, Fries Junction, Ivanhoe, Indian Branch, the bike-kayak transition, Allisonia and Lone Ash.

Directions

Directions to race headquarters - From I-77, take Exit 24 go east on Route 69 to Route 52 (Fort Chiswell Rd.), go north to Route 608 (Foster Falls Rd.), go east and follow the brown park signs into the Foster Falls Access.

Click here for an entry form. Click here for the rules and regulations.

Useful links

• Virginia State Parks
• Dominion Power
• Appalachian Power
• Carillion Clinics
• New River Trail State Park
• Last year’s results
• Entry forms
• Rules and regulations
• Flickr photo set of last year's race
• Virginia Off-road Series
• Pulaski Bikes
• Resere a campsite online