September 8 final info email and FAQs 

Compete against others on a real 12-hour virtual checkpoint hunt through the Shenandoah Valley (you don't have to touch anything!). In full compliance with COVID-19 recommendations, you can head to the wilderness and take on some of the best, biking, paddling, and trekking in the area in your own little bubble. Navigate to 40 virtual checkpoints over 4 separate stages using the prescribed method of travel including bike, trek, swim, or paddle. Travel alone or bring some team-mates...the choice is yours.

Sign up and receive a map with the location of 40 virtual checkpoints you must visit in a 12-hour period.  Also included is the rental of one of our amazing GPS trackers to keep you company and record your adventure travels.  Fire up the tracker, pass through the starting location at each of the 4 stages to start your clock, and then visit the checkpoint locations.  Checkpoint visits are recorded by the tracker and uploaded in real time to our leaderboard. Stop your clock by visiting the finish location and drop off your tracker. The leaderboard will be ongoing and fluid as other participants complete the challenge, so you can see how you stacked up against others, compare route choices, and see who took the best method of travel.

While you run and bike around the woods, your friends and family can follow your adventure from their designated quarantine location through our tracking page.

Follow the dots here.

Front Royal, Virginia area: George Washington National Forest, Shenandoah National Park, Shenandoah River State Park,  and surrounding area

Open. Preferably solo but you could include anyone in your quarantine/social distance bubble (but no more than 10). Each participant must register so we don't end up with a large number of people starting each stage together.

Each stage will have a focus on individual desciplines. Route choice and number of checkpoints collected will determine your final distance:

• Trekking Stage: 12-16 miles

• Paddle Stage: 10 - 12 miles

• Mountain Bike Stage: 15 - 20 miles

• Navigation Stage: 2 - 4 Miles

$60 includes map, tracker rental, and AE buff, sent straight to your front door. Once you start the adventure, fees also include a fun course designed for an adventure racer, online tracking for friends and family to follow you virtually, leaderboard, your need for competition sated, and sweet sweet time in the great outdoors doing what you love.

• September 5: We start mailing out maps and trackers.

• On September 12, start your adventure any time between 06:30 and 08:30. Any other date, start anytime and finish within 12 hours.

• You may be instructed to start on a specific stage so we can avoid a large number of people starting in the same location at the same time. (Those participating on Sept. 12 to submit results for USARA Nationals have been assigned start locations.)

• September 12-27: You must visit the finish location within 12 hours of your start time or you will incur penalties.

• All trackers MUST be returned to the finish on the day you complete the challenge (and no later than September 27, 2020), or we'll have to charge you for it.

Supplied Gear

Map, Rental GPS Tracker, rules of travel.

Recommended Gear

You are expected to bring the equipment and supplies to get you through 12-hours in the woods. We recommend the following:

• Pack to carry gear

• Enough food for replenishment

• Hydration system (hydration pack, water bottle, etc. with capacity to carry at least 2 liters)

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Whistle

• Knife with minimum 2.5-inch blade

• Emergency blanket or bag

• 1 long-sleeve wool blend or other type of insulated top (no cotton)

• Fleece/wool hat

• Waterproof jacket

• Bike (Preferably a mountain bike with front suspension)

• Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)

• Rear light (must be capable of blinking)

• Front light with enough battery power to last 12 hours.

• While taking part in any water activity each adventurer additionally must have PFD Class III non-inflatable

• Compass

• Lighter

• Fully charged cell phone in watertight bag

• Dry bag or method of keeping equipment dry in the event of bad weather.

• Bike tool kit and at least one spare bike tube

• Emergency First Aid kit – Teams may use the Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight 0.7 or build their own kit as long as the kit contains the following listed required contents. (8) 2x2 or 3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1) conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive bandage, (1) tape ½”x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage, (8) 200-mg ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2) afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic ointment, (1) tincture of benzoin, (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2) pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer,(3) safety pins, (1) duct tape.

Paddle Sections

You must provide your own boat.  See boat section for rental and boat logistics. While paddling each racer additionally must have:

• PFD Class III non-inflatable

You must provide your own boat. You may use any type of boat you choose but it must be self-powered.  Boat rentals and shuttle services (also shuttling of personal boats) are available through Skyline Canoe Company and boat rentals (no shuttle service of personal boats) are available from Front Royal Outdoors. Once you receive your map, you will be able to coordinate canoe rentals/and or shuttling.

You will be able to get some points on the paddle section without having to shuttle. To get all the points, you will need to shuttle. While on the paddle section, you must wear a PFD and it must be class III (non-inflatable).

You are allowed to travel via any type of vehicle between the start location of each of the stages. It will be critical that you can stage, load, and unload equipment easily in and out of your car, van, truck, bus etc.

Maps will be 11”x17” at 1:24:000 scale on waterproof paper. You maps will be mailed to you.

Click here for General Race Rules.

Wondering who you may spot 6 feet or more from you in the woods? Check out the roster here.

This is not a race--just personal adventure--so there are no official awards, but there’s bragging rights for days.

You will be able to submit your final results to the USARA Virtual Nationals for some nationwide competitive fun.  Make sure you sign up to be part of that event at http://www.usara.com/virtual-nationals.html

Because of current COVID-19 restrictions, call any establishment to make sure they are open. Support our local restaurants while you are in town,  Most of them are doing takeout--and even bringing out beers and cocktails curbside. Visit FroRoToGo.com to see who is serving and order online.

Looking for things to do or a place to eat while you or your fans are in town? Check out our handy-dandy guide to our hometown!

Lodging:

Shenandoah River State Park (cabins, camping, RVs), 350 Daughter of Stars Dr. Bentonville, VA 22610, (540) 622-6840  CLOSED

Skyline Ranch Resort: 751 Mountain Road, Front Royal, VA 22630. Accommodations include chalets (up to 6 people), cabins (up to 6 people), and RVs (up to 4 people). Visit the website or call 540-635-4169 ext.1

Baymont by Wyndham -  10 S Commerce Ave Front Royal, VA 22630, (540) 635-3161

Super8 - 111 South Street, Front Royal, VA 22630, (540) 636-4888

Camping and RVs:

Low Water Bridge Campground (RV hookups and tent camping), 192 Panhandle Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610 (just across the river from the start/finish line), (540) 635-7277

Skyline Ranch Resort, 751 Mountain Road, Front Royal, VA 22630, (540) 635-4169, $40 for RV site

Click here for information.