Outdoor Happenings: Fall 2021 Race & Event Guide

Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea  
Now – October 31, 2021
Nofolk, Va.

The exhibition features larger-than-life sculptures of marine life created from trash collected on beaches. Washed Ashore is part of a global movement bringing much-needed attention to the overwhelming – and growing! – plastic pollution in our oceans. Made possible by The Batten Family Educational Achievement Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/washed-ashore-2021

Ladies Gravity MTB Clinic
August 21, 2021
Sugar Mountain Resort, N.C.

A day of fun, girlfriends, and developing and improving mountain bike skills with Grace Owen. This camp is for all ability levels, however, it is recommended that participants has ridden on mountain bike trails at least once before. Full faced helmets and knee pads will be required and will be available for rent on-site. skisugar.com/event/ladies-gravity-mountain-bike-clinic

360 Adventure Collective
August 24-25, 2021
U.S. Whitewater Center
Charlotte, N.C.

This Paddle Sport Experience is for Retail Stores ONLY, not the public. If you carry paddle sports in the Southeast region, you’ll want to check it out! Registration is open online. 360adventurecollective.org

Midnight Flight
August 27, 2021
Anderson, S.C.

One of the Southeast’s largest night time road races, The 44th Midnight Flight, will take place Friday, August 27 at Anderson Area YMCA. 1 mile ~ 8:15 p.m.,  5K ~  9:00 p.m. Participants and spectators can take part in a street festival with vendors and music. andersonareaymca.org

2021 Adventure X-Fest
September 10-12, 2021
Alleghany Highlands, Va.

What is Adventure X-Fest? AXF is an adventure basecamp festival with really good music! Hosted at the Jackson River Sports Complex, Overland enthusiast from all over the East Coast head to the Alleghany Highlands of Virginia. for a weekend full of good food, good music, good people, and even better trail riding! mountainstateoverland.com/store/adventurexfest

Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival
September 11, 2021
Lime Kiln Theater
Lexington, Va.

The Rockbridge Beer & Wine Festival is an annual tradition providing local and regional craft brews, wine tastings, and food trucks. The magical Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington, Va,. is the perfect venue for a summer afternoon filled with food, drink, and live music. rockbridgebeerandwine.com

2021 Mercedes-Benz UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Finals
September 14-19, 2021
Snowshoe Resort, W.Va.

The eyes of the mountain biking world will once again turn to West Virginia this September, as Snowshoe Mountain plays host to a downhill double-header, culminating with the World Cup Finals and the crowning of UCI’s overall downhill and cross-country winners for the 2021 season. snowshoemtn.com/discover-snowshoe/uci-world-cup-participant-information

Harness Racing at Shenandoah Downs
Every Friday and Saturday
September 17 – October16, 2021
Woodstock, Va.

Enjoy pari-mutuel harness racing at Shenandoah Downs in Woodstock, Va. Pacers and trotters will compete in 10 races or more every Friday at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:00 p.m. The season runs from September 17 – October 16. General admission and parking are free, and the races are family friendly! shenandoahdowns.com

Get In Gear Fest 
September 25, 2021
Black Mountain, N.C. 

Experience the Outdoor Industry Hub of the East at the 7th Annual Get In Gear Fest. The entire family can demo outdoor gear, sign up for a trip, and meet the makers and leaders of the largest concentration of outdoor companies east of the Rockies. getingearfest.com

Forest Festival
September 25, 2021
Dupont State Forest, N.C. 

On Saturday September 25 (National Public Lands Day), Friends of Dupont State Forest will host the 4th Annual Dupont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure, wilderness, and beauty of Dupont State Forest. dupontforest.com/forest-festival

Tuck Fest
October 1-3, 2021
U.S. National Whitewater Center
Charlotte, N.C.

Paddling, climbing, trail running concerts and more all in one action packed weekend. Tuck Fest celebrates the outdoor lifestyle through nearly 150 clinics, musical performances, races and yoga practices over three days. Best of all, it’s free to attend. tuckfest.whitewater.org

24th Annual French Broad River Festival
October 1-3, 2021
Hot Springs, N.C.

Where Music, Art and Adventure meet. “Simply ONE OF THE BEST festivals and COOLEST places in the WORLD!!!!” “Like a big potluck at your best friend’s house.” “First class music all weekend!” “Rocked my Face Off!” “Loved the raft race!” “Always our favorite festival!” frenchbroadriverfestival.com

The Baltimore Running Festival
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Baltimore, Md.

Join us for Charm City’s 20th Anniversary Running Festival! Choose from a full marathon, half-marathon, 10k, or 5k. From the furry cheerleaders at Maryland’s Zoo to the beautiful finish at the Baltimore Inner Harbor, runners are sure to have quite the unique and memorable experience. You will tour every corner of the city while tackling a fair yet challenging course that makes the post-race festivities all the more amazing and certainly well-earned! baltrunfest.com

Massanutten Resort Fall Festival
October 9, 2021
Massanutten Resort, Va.

The Fall Festival features live music, arts and craft vendors, food vendors, beer and wine, kids’ activities, scenic chairlift rides, and more! Info and tickets available online. massresort.com/fallfest

The Bay Bridge Run
October 31, 2021
Annapolis, Md.

After a three-year hiatus, the Bay Bridge Run is BACK! Don’t miss your only chance to run or walk across the majestic Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland. The 10K course will traverse the eastbound span of the bridge from Anne Arundel County to Queen Anne’s County and finish with a huge post-race party with live music, vendors, and cold beer! You can expect a fun, well-managed event open to runners and walkers alike. thebaybridgerun.com

Moonbow Ultra
November 27, 2021
Corbin, Ky.

Moonbow Ultra is a rugged trail race through the Daniel Boone National Forest. You’ll encounter stunning rock houses, creek crossings, and magnificent waterfalls. Most striking is the iconic finish at Cumberland Falls —home of the moonbow—often referred to as “The Niagara of the South.” ejadventures.org/50k

*COMING UP IN 2022!*

The Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon
April 16, 2022
Roanoke, Va.

Boasting 7480’ of elevation change, the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon is America’s Toughest Road Marathon. Named one of the “World’s 15 Toughest Marathons” by Runner’s World Magazine and BRO Readers, this epic event is a must-do for your 2022 running calendar.
blueridgemarathon.com/

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