BY GRAHAM AVERILL & WILL HARLAN
BEST MULTISPORT EVENT



1. Muddy Buddy

Richmond, Va./Atlanta, Ga. 



It’s not the hardest multisport event in the Southeast, but it could be the most fun. The Muddy Buddy is a traveling athletic sideshow that puts teams of two on a hectic off road race course filled with obstacles and the famous “Mondo Mud Pit.” Throughout the seven-mile course, team members alternate between mountain biking and trail running, switching off disciplines at each obstacle. At the finish line, both team members have to crawl through the mud pit. 



2. Tsali Challenge, Wesser, N.C. 

3. Xterra Championships, Richmond, Va.

4. Fredericksburg Off Road Duathlon, Fredericksburg, Va. 

5. Odyssey Off-Road Triathlon, Natural Bridge, Va. 

BEST TRAIL RUNNING RACE



1. Shut-In Ridge 17.8-Mile Trail Run Asheville, N.C.



3. ACE New River Gorge-ous Trail Run

2. Springmaid Splash, Spruce Pine, N.C.

4. Bartram Trail 21-Mile Endurance Run, Wesser, N.C. 

5. Rock to Rock 10K Trail Run, Black Mountain, N.C.

6. Dupont Forest 12K, Brevard, N.C. 

7. Blue Ridge Burn 10K, Charlottesville, Va.

8. James River Scramble 10K, Richmond, Va.

9. Big South Fork 17-Miler, Oneida, Tenn.

10. Xterra Seven Islands Sunblast, Knoxville, Tenn.



BEST ULTRA



1. JFK 50-Miler

Boonsboro, N.C.



JFK is the oldest and largest ultra in the country, attracting the world’s elite runners. The course includes rugged sections of the Applachian Trail, the pancake-flat C&O Towpath, and paved country roads.

OTHER FAVORITE ULTRAS 

2. Mount Mitchell Challenge, Black Mountain, N.C.

3. Massanutten Mountain 100-Miler, Massanutten, Va.

4. Iron Mountain 50 Miler, Damascus, Va.

5. Highlands Sky 40 Miler, Canaan Valley, W.Va. 

6. Promise Land 50K, Bedford, Va. 

7. Rattlesnake 50K, Charleston, W.Va.

8. Stump Jump 50K, Chattanooga, Tenn.

8. SweetH20 50K, Atlanta, Ga. 

9. Mountain Masochist 50M, Lynchburg, Va. 

10. Bull Run Run 50M, Manassas, Va.

BEST 5K



1. Race for the Cure 

Washington, D.C.



2. Midnight Flight 5K, Anderson, S.C. 

3. Brasstown Bald Buster 5K, Brasstown, Ga. 

4. Bele Chere 5K, Asheville, N.C. 

5. Reggae 5K, Black Mountain, N.C. 



BEST 8K



1. Crazy 8s 

Kingsport, Tenn. 



2. Neptune Festival 8K, Virginia Beach, Va.

3. Turkey Trot 8K, Charlotte, N.C.

4. NTELOS 8K, Richmond, Va.

5. Maggie Valley Moonlight 8K, Maggie Valley, N.C.



BEST 10K



1. Peachtree Road Race

Atlanta, Ga.



2. Cooper River Bridge 10K, Charleston, S.C.

3. Ukrops Monument Avenue 10K, Richmond, Va. 

4. U.S. 10K Classic, Atlanta, Ga.

5. Expo 10K, Knoxville, Tenn.











BEST HALF MARATHON



1. Parkersburg Half 

Marathon

Parkersburg, W.Va.



2. Atlanta Half Marathon, Atlanta, Ga.

3. Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon, Virginia Beach, Va.

4. Shamrock Half Marathon, Virginia Beach, Va. 

5. Beckley Half Marathon, Beckley, W.Va.

6. Star City Half Marathon, Roanoke, Va.

7. RaceFest Half Marathon, Charlotte, N.C.

8. Bethel Half Marathon, Bethel, N.C.

9. CareFirst Half Marathon, Baltimore, Md.

10. Country Music Half Marathon, Nashville, Tenn.

BEST MARATHON



1. Richmond Marathon



Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2007, the Richmond Marathon’s fast, relatively flat course, cheering crowds, spirited aid stations, and well-oiled organization make it a runner favorite. Whether you’re a first-time marathoner or an Olympic Trials hopeful, Richmond brings out the best.



2. Rocket City Marathon 

3. Baltimore Marathon 

4. Hatfield-McCoy Marathon

5. Grandfather Mountain Marathon 

6. Country Music Marathon 

7. Outer Banks Marathon

8. Atlanta Marathon

9. Knoxville Marathon

10. Myrtle Beach Marathon

11. Marine Corps Marathon

12. Thunder Road Marathon



BEST RUNNING HASH



1. The Chedderhead

Atlanta, Ga. 



Atlanta’s Hash House Harriers set up the ultimate hash on New Year’s Day. There’s cheese, polka dancing, bowling, running, and of course, some drinking. Okay, a lot of drinking. 



Runner-Up: Halloween Hash, Asheville, N.C.



BEST RELAY



1. Run for Africa 

24-Hour Trail Relay

Camp Rockmont, N.C. 



Teams of 6-10 runners complete five-mile loops on some of the most scenic trails in the Appalachians. Between laps, they enjoy music and festivities at the start/finish area campground. Teammates cheer their runners home in the final quarter-mile of each lap, which loops around the festivities area. Best of all, 100 percent of all entry fees directly fund clean water programs for villages in Africa. Next year’s date: May 17-18, 2008. 



Runner Up: Blue Ridge Relay, Grayson Highlands State Park, Va. to Asheville, N.C. This road running relay challenges teams of 12 to run 208 miles through some of the most scenic and grueling mountain roads in the Southern Appalachians. 



BEST MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE



1. Snake Creek Gap 

Time Trial

Ellijay, Ga.



This is not a beginner’s race. That’s the first thing you need to know about “The Snake.” You can ride the 34-mile course or the 17-mile option, either way you’ll pedal the Pinhoti Trail for some of the best cross country racing in the South. Choose the 34-mile option and you’ll cross six mountains, each of which comes equipped with its own set of creek crossings, steep climbs, and long rock gardens. The kicker? The final six miles are the toughest of the route. The beauty? You get a chance at the race three times throughout the season. 



2. Off Road Assault on Mount Mitchell 

3. NC Cyclo Cross Series 

4. Tsali Knob Scorcher 

5. Massanutten Hoo-Ha 

6. Shenandoah Mountain 100 

7. Fontana Dam Jam 

8. Wild 100 

9. Cowbell Challenge 

10. Tanasi Challenge 





BEST ENDURANCE 

MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE



1. 24 Hours of Big Bear

Hazelton, W.Va.



After moving the original 24-hour mountain bike race from one course to the next, it seems Granny Gear has finally found a home for their flagship event. 24 Hours of Big-Bear has been an overwhelming hit since moving to Hazelton. Riders love the campground located on an old runway at 3,100 feet. They love the fast track through the pine forests. They love the rocks, the bigger rocks, and the even bigger rocks. They even love the 1,600 feet of climbing per 12-mile loop. And they love the fact they don’t have to slog through the miles of mud that plagued the Snowshoe course. 



2. 18 Hours on the Farm, Richmond, Va. 

3. 24 Hours of Conyers, Conyers, Ga. 

4. Burn 24 Hours, Wilkesboro, N.C. 







TOP TEN CYCLING RACES



1. Assault on Mount 

Mitchell

Spartanburg, S.C. 



2. Jefferson Cup, Charlottesville, Va. 

3. Wintergreen Ascent Time Trial, Wintergreen, Va 

4. French Broad Cycling Classic, Asheville, N.C.

5. Dilworth Criterium, Charlotte, N.C.

6. Twilight Criterium, Athens, Ga.

7. Carolina Cup, Greensboro, N.C.

8. Hanes Park Classic, Winston-Salem, N.C.

9. Mill Mountain Time Trial, Roanoke, Va.

10. 24 Hours of Booty, Charlotte, N.C.





BEST CENTURY



1. Six Gap Century

Dahlonega, Ga.



For the last 19 years, the Six Gap has been punishing cyclists who think they know how to climb. Over the 100-mile course, cyclists pedal up and down six of the steepest mountains in North Georgia for a total of 10,700 feet of vertical gain. The toughest climb? Hogpen Gap outside of Helen, Ga., which averages a 7 percent grade and features stretches with a mighty 15% grade. Now, tell us readers, why would you vote for a punish-fest like this? 



2. Mountains of Misery, Radford, Va. 

3. Hilly Hellacious Hundred, Asheville, N.C. 

4. 3-State, 3-Mountain Challenge, 

Chattanooga, Tenn. 

5. Mountain Mama, Monterey, Va. 

6. Bridge-to-Bride Incredible Century, 

Lenoir, N.C.

7. Blue Ridge Extreme Challenge Century, 

Afton, Va.



BEST TRIATHLON



1. Duke Half Ironman

Raleigh-Durham, N.C.



2. Sandman Triathlon, Virginia Beach, Va.

3. Richmond Sprint Triathlon, Richmond, Va. 

4. Naylors Beach Triathlon, Va.

5. Big Lick Triathlon, Huddleston, Va.

6. Atomic Man Triathlon, Knoxville, Tenn.

7. Fall Creek Falls Triathlon, Fall Creek Falls SP, Tenn.

8. Charlottesville International Triathlon, Charlottesville, Va.

9. Hickory Nut Gorge Olympiad Sprint Triathlon, Lake Lure, N.C.

10. ChesapeakeMan Ultradistance Triathlon, Cambridge, Md.



TOP ADVENTURE RACE



1. Endorphin Fix

Canaan Valley, W.Va. 



2. Blue Ridge Mountain Adventure Race, 

Blue Ridge, Ga.

3. NOC 8-Hour Adventure Race, Wesser, N.C. 

4. Checkpoint Zero, Helen, Ga. 

5. Save the World Sport and Elite Adventure 

Race, Baker Creek State Park, S.C. 

6. Odyssey One-Day Extreme, Natural Bridge, Va.

7. SOAR, Highlands, N.C.

8. HR Adventure Tidewater Traverse 

Adventure Race, Va.

BEST PADDLING FESTIVAL



1. Gauley Fest

Summersville, W.Va.



1983: Year of the first Gauley Fest 

5,000+: Number of people who show up every year

2350: Cubic feet per second of water that Summersville Dam pumps into the Gauley River 

Endless: Number of crazy situations you can find yourself in, including mud wrestling and boxing. 



OTHER FAVORITE PADDLING FESTIVALS

2. Cheoah River Festival 

3. Tallulah River Festival 

4. Potomac Whitewater Festival

5. Jerry’s Baddle

6. Russell Fork Rendezvous

7. Cheat River Fest

8. French Broad River Fest



BEST CLIMBING COMPETITION



1. New River Rendezvous

Fayetteville, W.Va.



350: Number of people at the Rendezvous in ‘03, the first year of the festival

216: Number of climbers competing in the 

various competitions 

$350: Amount of money made at the lemonade stand (all proceeds support the New River Alliance) 



2. Hound Ears, Boone, N.C.

3. Horse Pens 40, Horse Pens, Ala. 





BEST PADDLING RACE



1. Green River Race

Saluda, N.C. 



Was there really any question? Year after year, the Green River Race is our readers’ favorite paddling race to participate in and watch. Nearly 100 boaters punched through the brutal race course this year, running 11 class IV and V rapids through a section of the river known as the Narrows. Boaters stagger their starts a minute apart and paddle like hell to the finish line. Fastest time wins. 



2. Total Vertical Feet, Various Locations

3. The Upper Gauley Animal, Gauley, W.Va.

4. Potomac Downwater Race, Great Falls, D.C.



BEST FESTIVAL



1. Trail Days

Damascus, Va.



This perennial favorite attracts hikers and outdoor enthusiasts for a playful weekend of festivities, parades, vendors, arts and crafts, storytelling, and a sleepless night of camping in Tent City. Thru-hikers of yesteryear reminisce about their 2,175-mile adventures, while current thru-hikers enjoy a well earned respite from the trail. 



2. Mountain Sports Festival, Asheville, N.C. 

3. NOC Guest Appreciation Festival, Wesser, N.C. 

4. Lake Eden Arts Festival, Black Mountain, N.C. 

5. Floydfest , Floyd, Va.

6. Graves Mountain Spring Festival 

7. Sourwood Festival, Black Mountain, N.C. 

8. OktoberFest, Helen, Ga.

BEST SNOW COMPETITION



Blue Ridge Doublecross

Wintergreen,Va.



Several skiers or boarders head down the ski hill at the same time. Between the starting line and the finish line, there are jumps, moguls, obstacles, and a whole lot of opportunity for mistakes. Carnage is par for the course. And last year, Johnny Moseley hosted the event, so what’s not to love? 



Runner Up: Snowshoe Walk or Run, Canaan Valley, W.Va. It’s a 5K, only with fancy baskets strapped to your feet so you can run in the snow without being completely miserable. 



WEIRDEST EVENT



1. Punkin’ Chunkin’ Pumpkin Throwing Contest

Millsboro, Del.



2. Fig Leaf 5K Naked Run, Dawsonville, Ga. 

3. Take Pride in Your Hide Naked 5K, Reidsville, N.C. 

4. Chili Paddle, Cartecay River, Elijay, Ga. 



BEST NEW EVENT



ING Georgia Marathon

Atlanta, Ga.



This year, 15,000 people stepped up to the starting line for the inaugural ING Georgia Marathon. They were treated with a race course that hits the highlights of downtown Atlanta, from Underground to Martin Luther King’s house to Little Five Points. The only thing missing was a stop at the Coke Museum for some samples of Atlanta’s official beverage of choice. 



BEST POST RACE PARTY



Night Train 12-Hour Mountain Bike Race

Fontana Village, N.C.



Everyone is done riding by 10pm, which leaves all night for the festivities. The Night Train capitalized on this fact by sporting two bands that played into the wee hours of the night and wrangling free beer from a local brewery. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. 

BEST 10-MILER



1. Cherry Blossom 

10-Miler, 

Washington D.C. 



2. Charlottesville 10 Miler, 

Charlottesville, Va.

3. Sunset Stampede 10 Miler, 

Asheville, N.C. 

4. George Washington Parkway 

Classic 10-Miler, Alexandria, Va.

5. Carpet Capital 10-Miler, 

Dalton, Ga.

6. Army Ten-Miler, 

Washington, D.C.

