Trail Running

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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.
 

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Posted In: Running, Trail Running

Terrain360: Cool new site for outdoors enthusiasts

By Andy Thompson | May 6, 2012

If you’re a local trail lover, you need — and I really do mean need — to check out Terrain360.com, the subject of my column in today’s T-D. The site was just launched on May 1st by three Richmonders — Ryan Abrahamsen, Ryan Emmons and Ross Milby. It’s unlike anything else out there for exploring trails (and soon waterways, too) on a computer. If you’ve used Google Street View, Terrain360.com will have a familiar feel — only the pictures are clearer.

The T360 team is an ambitious lot. Their goal is to have every major Virginia trail mapped by the end of the summer, so keep checking back for more updates. This first pic is a screenshot from the site. It and the others offer a sense of what the trail tours look like.

 

Entering Belle Isle from the south

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Buttermilk Trail

 

 

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Posted In: Greenways, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Trail Running

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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.

 

 

 

 

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Posted In: Running, Trail Running

No Lance at XTERRA Richmond

By Andy Thompson | April 18, 2012

Back in September I speculated in my T-D column about Lance Armstrong competing regularly on the XTERRA off-road triathlon tour. He had just come in fifth at XTERRA nationals in his first triathlon is 22 years. He went on to compete in XTERRA worls later that fall and did well again. Suddenly the thought of Lance racing Richmond didn’t seem very far fetched. As Trey Garman, XTERRA VP and media director told me at the time: “Rumor has it that if he enjoys himself (at nationals), XTERRA could be one of his regular gigs…and “Richmond is top-dog as far as courses go.”

Well, that was then. Now? Not so much. In February, Armstrong announced that he’d be entering a number of Iron and Half-Iron distance races in the Ironman series of road triathlons. Still, I held out hope that maybe he’d race XTERRA as well. In a recent email, though, Garman broke the bad news: “We think he’ll be back to XTERRA at some point, unfinished business, but 2012 looks focused on Ironman Worlds…”

Too bad. Would have been cool to see Lance flying through Forest Hill Park on his mountain bike or navigating the James’ famously random June water level. Maybe next year.

 

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Posted In: James River, Mountain Biking, Trail Running

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Dozer at work on Dogwood Dell Trails

By Andy Thompson | January 24, 2012

Trail lovers, rejoice! The “Sweco” is at work in Dogwood Dell.

I just went over there to take some pictures of the traildozer at work, which you’ll find below. Talk about a force multiplier. The machine rips  through underbrush, making bench cuts and felling saplings at a quick clip. I remember Nathan Burrell, the city’s trails manager, telling me that the work it did in Forest Hill Park would have taken 2 years if it had to be done by hand. Over in Dogwood Dell, creating 1.75 miles of new trail, it’ll take 2 days.

 

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Posted In: Mountain Biking, Trail Running