Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 09, 2011
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Virginia's New River Trail Challenge registration extended to Sept. 14
(RICHMOND) – Registration has been extended to Sept. 14 for Virginia’s New River Trail Challenge, a unique athletic competition to be held at New River Trail State Park, Saturday, Sept. 24. Registration information is available at www.virginiastateparks.gov or by calling 800-933-PARK.
Competitors bike 40 miles, kayak 12 miles and run 13.1 miles along southwestern Virginia’s 57-mile-long New River Trail State Park. The race is presented by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Alpha Natural Resources, Appalachian Power and Dominion.
Race day activities for the public begin at 9 a.m. in the Foster Falls Complex, in Wythe County, with demonstrations and displays from Carilion Clinic, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia State Police, Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. There will be an inflatable jump castle for kids, and more.
An afternoon of Bluegrass begins at 2 p.m. with performances from Rusty Wire from Galax, Va., Adam McPeak and Mountain Thunder, (www.adammcpeak.com), from Max Meadows, Va., and the Kelley Nelson Band, (www.kelleynelsonband.com), from Southwest Virginia.
There is a $3 parking fee to enter the park.
Virginia’s New River Trail Challenge features athletes competing individually and in teams of two or three. The race course begins at the Foster Falls complex and includes the counties of Wythe, Carroll and Pulaski. Foster Falls will serve as the start-finish line and staging area. Competitors must be at least 18 on race day to participate. 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. 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. Individual registration is $70 and team registration is $140. T-shirts are included. The race is limited to the first 300 to sign up.
The 35 award-winning Virginia State Parks are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For more information about Virginia State Parks, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.
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