Running

longwood-university-bed

High Bridge Trail SP to host 5K

By Andy Thompson | May 18, 2012

If you’re a runner and you’ve been meaning to check out the newly-opened “High Bridge” at High Bridge Trail State Park, here’s your chance to kill two birds with one stone. It’s less than an hour’s drive from Richmond, and the view from the bridge alone is worth it. The below is from a Virginia State Parks press release:

High Bridge Trail State Park will host the “Run for Your Life” 5k run on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2. The race begins at 8 a.m. near Main Street Plaza in Farmville and follows an out-and-back course. Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers and top three finishers in each age category.
 
The top overall male and female finishers will each receive a free weekend cabin stay in a Virginia State Park. Categories are: men and women 10 and under; 11-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60 and over. Participation is capped at 200 runners. Registration before May 21 is $15. After May 21 the fee is $20. Click here for more information and the online application, visit .
 

The old railroad bridge before upgrades

The race is sponsored by Central Southside Community Hospital, Southside Virginia Family YMCA and Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park. Timing and scoring of the race will be done by Riverside Runners of Lynchburg, Va. Race proceeds benefit the Friends of High Bridge Trail. For more information, contact the park office at 434-315-0457 or highbridge@dcr.virginia.gov.

 High Bridge Trail State Park is a 31-mile multi-use trail ideally suited for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The trail, once a railbed, is wide, level and generally flat. The trail’s finely crushed limestone surface and dimensions make it easy for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy. The park’s centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River. The original bridge was built in 1853 as part of the South Side Railroad. The current steel-tower bridge was completed in 1914.
 

Continue Reading

 
 
imageComments: 0

Posted In: Running, Trail Running

428253_340599945991194_106928439358347_1016389_108963174_n

Mud dash and river splash good options to beat summer heat

By Andy Thompson | April 19, 2012

If you’re the kind of runner who tires of pounding the pavement in weekend 5Ks — especially in the heat of summer — here are two races to put on your calendar: the Henricus Dauber Dash and the James River Splash and Dash.

First the Dauber Dash: This 5-mile mud race and obstacle course, now in its fourth year, takes you through Henricus Historical Park and the Dutch Gap Conservation Area and, according to the Sports Backers,  ”is packed with plenty of mud, dirt, and obstacles along the way to keep you challenged while having the filthiest time of your life!” Last year 635 people participated. There is also a 1-mile Mud Guppies Kids Run, for kids ages 8–14 at 11 a.m. This course features its own engaging obstacles and finishes through the same grimy mud pit as the adults.

Registration just opened for the Henricus Dauber Dash. Online registration is available through June 21 at 11:59 p.m. The current entry fee is $30. The entry fee for the Mud Guppies Kids Run is $10. Both prices are set to increase May 21. For more information, visit www.sportsbackers.org or call (804) 285-9495.

Now the James River Splash and Dash: This second-year event is a fund raiser for the James River Association. Held on July 14th, “the James River Splash & Dash is a competitive tube race which takes place on Belle Isle. Participants run a 5k trail course, grab a tube, paddle (with their hands) across a stretch of the James, and run their tube to the finish line. After the race, JRA hosts an after party that includes a band, food, beer and more!” Click here for more.

 

 

 

 

Continue Reading

 
 
imageComments: 0

Posted In: Running, Trail Running

emotionheader

KW Rollout back for third year

By Andy Thompson | April 6, 2012

Some of you may remember a column I wrote around this time two years ago about a local kid named Kirk Williams. Kirk was an avid mountain and road biker who lived in Ashland, went to Patrick Henry HS and then took off to Boulder, Co. for college. In the fall of 2009, on a mountain bike ride with friends, Kirk slowed to moved out of the way of a hiker, hit a rock he didn’t see and went over his handlebars. He was paralyzed from the chest down. After over two years of intensive rehab, he’s regained the use of some of the muscles in his arms and hands. But he remains wheel chair-bound.

It’s an expensive world Kirk and his family now inhabit, so I’m writing this post to let RichmondOutside.com readers know about a great event that benefits one of their own — a fellow outdoors lover, who, despite facing many challenges, remains an adventurer and explorer at heart.

 

Continue Reading

 
 
imageComments: 0

Posted In: Mountain Biking, Road Biking, Running

2009-richmond-marathon

Change coming to Richmond Marathon

By Andy Thompson | March 22, 2012

The long downhill finish has been a highlight of the Richmond Marathon for years. Well, that finish is now changing, but the experience isn’t likely to.

At a press conference earlier today, the Sports Backers announced changes to the 34-year-old event, including a re-route of the finishing stretch: “The 26.2-mile course…has a new riverfront finish line at the intersection of 5th Street and Tredegar Street. The course now turns right onto 5thStreet from Cary Street, still culminating with a participant-pleasing downhill finish. Brown’s Island will be the new site of the Post-Race Festival, which was previously located at the James Center.”

 

Continue Reading

 
 
imageComments: 0

Posted In: Road running, Running, Uncategorized

Monument Avenue 10K keeps growing

By Andy Thompson | February 14, 2012

The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k topped the 30,000-mark in total entries received today. The Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k set for Saturday, March 31, will accept 42,500 entries, making it one of the top 10 biggest road races of any distance in the U.S. Last year the race was capped at 40,000, but 41,346 were allowed to sign up.

 

Continue Reading

 
 
imageComments: 1

Posted In: Running