Blue Ridge Outdoors is proud to present the top races and events from the Blue Ridge and beyond.
Festivals, Marathons, Mud Runs, Expos, Concerts, and more!
THE BLUE RIDGE TRAVELER’S
TOWNS AND TRAILS
Upcoming Events:
Marion, Little Switzerland, Lake James, NC
Upcoming events include the Bear Crawl OCR and Fonta Flora 50k in March, April’s Hellbender 100 trail race, and June’s Pisgah Enduro Mountain Bike Race. Details are online.
VIRGINIA STATE PARKS
ADVENTURE SERIES
March 30 through October 12
Join us in Virginia State Parks for the 3rd year of our Adventure Series featuring various events ranging from Adventure Triathlons, Cyclocross and Mountain Bike races, distance runs and more. Unlike most series, the Adventure Series is based on participation, not time, and offers several ways to win. Check out our website for details and updates.
www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/adventure-series
KENTUCKY WATERMAN SERIES 2019
March through October
Now in its third year, KWS inspires paddlers of all skill levels to journey across Kentucky’s scenic waterways & lakes through several amazing events. Each one is put on EKI or a local organizer, joined together by a unified system, leaderboard, positive vibes, & passion for water conservation!
explorekentucky.us/kentuckywatermanseries
ALLEGHANY HIGHLANDS SUMMER EVENTS
All Summer 2019
Alleghany Highlands, VA
This summer, it’s GAME ON. We are home to four of the most action-packed outdoor events in the Mid-Atlantic. Whether you run, bike, swim, all of the above, or simply enjoy great competition, don’t miss our on the fun. It’s uniquely Alleghany.
visitalleghanyhighlands.com/featured-events
FEBRUARY 2019
BATH COUNTY WINTER CHILL GETAWAY
February 14–18
Bath County, VA
The great outdoors meet the great indoors in Bath County. Hit the slopes for skiing and snowboarding. See natural beauty on a hike or on a bicycle. Then enjoy quaint lodging, exquisite dining, fun winetasting, local craft beer, and music. Chill out in Bath County!
MARCH 2019
BERMING MAN
March 2
Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe, WV
Our banked slalom snowboard race returns for its third year. Technically challenging and exhilarating to watch, Berming Man features a carved course of steep turns and high speeds. Think you can conquer the mountain? Register online.
THE MARATHON OF THE TREASURE COAST
March 3
Memorial Park, Stuart, FL
The TC Marathon course features 26.2 miles of Treasure Coast beauty, loaded with the charm of southern Florida: water views, community involvment, a competitve and an interesting marathon race, with event party life to top it off at the Rock and Run party. If you’re searching for the ideal winter destination running event, you are going to love running the Treasure Coast!
WINTERFEST
March 9
Bryce Resort, Basye, VA
Celebrate a great season with Bryce Resort at Winterfest! Festivities begin at 8am! Bring your best costume and an appetite for a fun-filled day on the
mountain. Events include a pancake breakfast, polar plunge, costume parade, pond skimming and live music.
BALLHOOTER
March 15–16
Snowshoe Mountain Resort, Snowshoe, WV
Our Ballhooter Spring Break will be wilder than ever this year with headliner Clutch and special guest CKY performing in the Village. On snow games, crazy competitions, yoga, and lots of other activities are being planned for the March 15-16 weekend. Check our website for more details.
TRANSYLVANIA ADVENTURE GAMES
March 16
Brevard Music Center, Brevard, NC
Transylvania Adventure Games is an annual outdoor family fun event. TAG is designed to get your heart pumping, your body moving, and your brain working…leaving you with a smile on your face! There is a local outdoor vendor festival, workshops, food, and more offered at the TAG event, so come on out even if you aren’t running!
mountainsunschool.org/events/transylvania-adventure-games
APRIL 2019
RAGNAR RICHMOND TRAIL
April 26-27
Pocahontas State Park, Richmond VA
Teams of 8 set up camp and conquer a series of three pristine trail loops, relay-style, complete with lake views and deep spring foliage. This unforgettable overnight trail adventure is like a summer camp for grownups, with lots and lots of running.
DEVILS BACKBONE MOUNTAIN CROSS & BLUE RIDGE METRIC
April 27–28
Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Roseland, VA
Each ride will feature both the outstanding canyons of the Tye River and the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. Saturday’s ride will utilize gravel roads to explore more remote sections of these two areas. Sunday’s ride will use all paved roads with an emphasis on scenic vistas.
bikereg.com/devils-backbone-mt-cross-and-the-blue-ridge-metric
MAY 2019
SHAKORI HILLS GRASSROOTS
FESTIVAL OF MUSIC & DANCE
May 2–5
Pittsboro, VA
The 17th annual spring festival features 40+ bands on four stages located on 72 beautiful farmland acres in central North Carolina. The site is easily accessible from major airports in Raleigh and Greensboro and a short drive for Mid-Atlantic residents. Local and indigenous crafts, delicious food, kids’ activities, healing arts, music and dance workshops, and environmental sustainability forums augment a strong music lineup. Primitive camping, vehicle camping, and RV options are available at this family-friendly festival.
FRENCH BROAD RIVER FESTIVAL
May 3–5
Hot Springs Campground & Resort, Hot Springs, NC
22nd annual grassroots festival features outdoor adventure and great music in a beautiful setting. Whitewater raft race, biking, hiking, kid’s village, outdoor vendors, music from Doom Flamingo, Acoustic Syndicate, Trongone Band, Lyric, Pierce Edens, Sol Driven Train and so much more!
DICK’S SPORTING GOODS PITTSBURGH MARATHON WEEKEND
May 3–5
Pittsburgh, PA
MOVE yourself, MOVE heartbeats, and MOVE barriers at the 2019 DICK’S Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon weekend. With distances ranging from a 5K to the full marathon PLUS a kids marathon, toddler trot and pet walk, there is an event for every member of the family!
MUD ON THE MOUNTAIN
May 11
Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Seven Springs, PA
Mud on the Mountain offers athletes a chance to get down and dirty across more than seven miles of body-breaking terrain you will traverse ponds, scale boulder fields, climb your way over obstacles and claw your way up impossible inclines, all on your way to a triumphant finish!
7springs.com/events/mud-on-the-mountain
JUNE 2019
WAR HAMMER 100
June 8–9
Natural Bridge Resort Park, Slade, KY
100 Mile Endurance Run. The War Hammer 100 starts at the Natural Bridge State Park in the beautifully lush Red River Gorge and travels south to Wildcat Mountain – site of the Civil War Battle and the gateway to the Cumberland Plateau in Laurel County.
nextopportunityevents.com/warhammer100
2019 BIKE VIRGINIA TOUR
June 21–26
Woodstock, VA to Harrisonburg, VA
Bike Virginia BIKE O RAMA theme takes us back to the Shenandoah Valley and the 50’s. Bring your poodle skirts, white tee shirts and we will rock and ride around the clock. Register for 6 full days or 3 day weekend/weekday.
JULY 2019
ST. ELIZABETH TRIATHLON
July 20
Williamstown, KY
Swim in one of Northern Kentucky’s cleanest lakes, bike along picturesque hillsides and valleys and finish up with a run through the rolling hills of Grant County, Ky. – home of the Ark Encounter. The triathlon is an Olympic qualifying event. Go to www.visitgrantky.com to plan your visit.
SEPTEMBER 2019
27TH ANNUAL TOUR DE CASHIERS
September 7
Cashiers, NC
Join us for the Tour de Cashiers across the scenic mountain by-ways of Western North Carolina, and complete one of the most challenging rides in the nation. 5k for runners. Book your accommodations with Gold Sponsor, Landmark Vacation Rentals 828-293-4499
tourdecashiers.com | landmarkletsride.com
KR255
September 16-21
Kentucky River, Bearryville, KY to Carrollton, Ky
Come join AUCAL & EKI for the KR255, the paddlesports endurance race of a lifetime. Competitors will start in Beattyville, KY in eastern Kentucky & finish (some of them anyway) 255 miles later in carrollton, KY where the Kentucky River confluences with the Ohio River.
explorekentucky.us/kentuckywatermanseries
NEW RIVER TRAIL CHALLENGE
September 21
New River Trail State Park, Max Meadows, VA
The penultimate race of the Virginia State Parks Adventure series, the “Challenge” is one of the oldest, largest and friendliest Adventure Triathlons in Virginia. The race features a 40-mile bike ride, 12.1-mile kayak and half marathon along the scenic New River. All ages and skill levels can compete solo or in teams.
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/nrt-challenge
THE 30TH ANNUAL WORLD CHICKEN FESTIVAL
September 26–29
Downtown London, KY
Celebrate the life of Colonel Sanders, founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Delicious fried chicken dinners are prepared in the world’s largest skillet. Named a top event by the Kentucky Tourism Council and the Southeast Tourism Society. Voted Best Festival in State by Kentucky Monthly Magazine.
CUMBERLAND RIVER CHALLENGE
September 28
Barbourville, KY
The Canoe and Kayak Race is an annual event, hosted by Union College, U Canoe and Barbourville Tourism. The race consists of 15 miles of river, ranging from calm water to beginner-level rapids. It starts on the Knox County line bordering Bell County and finishes in Knox County at the Thompson R.V. Park.
barbourvilletourism.com/adventure/canoe-kayak-race
OCTOBER 2019
GAP RELAY
October 11–12
Pittsburgh, PA
Over the course of two days, you and your team will tackle 150 miles of the Great Allegheny Passage. Starting in Cumberland, Maryland, you’ll celebrate your adventurous spirit, wild stories, and incredible team accomplishments at the post-race party in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
POCADVENTURE ADVENTURE TRIATHLON
October 12
Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield, VA
Just a short drive from downtown Richmond, the final race of the Virginia State Park Adventure Series, highlights a 4-mile lake paddle, 12-mile Mountain Bike leg and a 5-mile trail run. All proceeds go to expanding and maintaining the 100+ miles of trails and fire road.
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/adventure-series
MT. STERLING COURT DAYS
October 18–21
Mount Sterling, KY
Kentucky’s oldest festival began around 1794 with the annual trading day when the judge came to town to hold court. Across four days, about 200,000 people come to shop with the 1,500 vendors who set up to sell—including a large selection of food booths.
NOVEMBER 2019
RICHMOND MARATHON
November 16
Richmond, VA
Haven’t #RunRichmond yet? What are you waiting for?! Each of our scenic courses showcases some of our RVA’s favorite attributes. With thousands of volunteers and spectators encouraging you, and more race perks than you can count, you’ll see why we’ve earned our rep as “America’s Friendliest Marathon”!
