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 05, 2012
Contact:
Virginia's New River Trail Challenge Sept. 15
Family Fest celebration part of the day-long activities
(RICHMOND) - There's still time to register for Virginia's New River Trail Challenge, a unique athletic competition to be held at New River Trail State Park, Saturday, Sept. 15. Registration information is available at the DCR website 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, Appalachian Power, Dominion, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Carilion Clinic, Gatorade and Wythe County Parks, Recreation and Tourism.
Race day activities for the public last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Foster Falls Complex and include an inflatable moon bounce, pony rides, face painting, snow cones, local artists, food vendors and bands all day.
There is a $3 parking fee to enter the park. All other activities are free.
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.
Three new team categories are being introduced this year: the Collegiate Challenge, with awards presented to the top three college or university teams; the Sponsor Challenge, with awards presented to the top three sponsor teams; and the Local Heroes Challenge, with awards to the top three teams made up of police, sheriff offices, and fire and rescue squads.
Individual registration is $70, and team registration is $140. 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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