Join us for one of our favorite races...the Shenandoah Strong. If you are ready for an adventure race that will put your skills to the test all in one day, keep reading! This event is good for first-time adventure racers who may not have all the disciplines nailed yet and for those who really want to push themselves hard! 

Racers will have 8 hours to cover up to 45 miles via kayak/canoe, foot, and mountain bike over rugged and beautiful terrain, picking up checkpoints along the way in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in the spring. You'll tackle 10-15 miles of trekking, 12 miles of paddling on the Shenandoah River, and about 15-20 miles of mountain biking on some uh-mazing trails. You'll feel challenged for sure, but you'll have a great time doing it...and that finish-line feeling? Come feel it for yourself!

Race-Day Packet Pickup/Pre-Race Brief/Race Start/Finish: 

Downriver Canoe Company, 884 Indian Hollow Road, Bentonville, VA 22610

The start and finish area is at Downriver Canoe Company, located just outside Shenandoah River State Park. If you are staying in the park (and it is a great place to stay!) or visiting the park and accessing it through the main entrance, you are responsible for park entrance fees.

• Soloist

• Two-person team

• Three- or Four-person team

12 miles of river paddling

10-15 miles of trekking

15-20 miles of mountain biking

• Super early registration is $130.00 per team member & $140 for soloists until November 30, 2021

• Early registration is $140 per team member & 150 for soloists until January 31, 2022

• Late registration is $150.00 per team member & $160 for soloists until close at midnight March 31, 2021.

An additional $8 race day fee (or proof of USARA membership) is required by USARA and can be paid on race day or during online registration.

Registration patform fees may also apply

Friday, April 22, 2022

Downriver Canoe Company

884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610

4:00 pm-8:00 pm: Packet pickup

6:00 pm-7:00 pm: Optional Navigation Clinic

7:00 pm-8:00 pm: Optional Fireside Q&A

Saturday, April 23, 2022

Downriver Canoe Company

884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610

7:00 am: Map distribution

7:00 am-8:00 am: Packet pickup

7:00 am-9:00 am: Transition setup

11:00 am: Race Start

7:00 pm: Race Finish

7:30 pm: Post-race food and awards ceremony

Downriver Canoe Company

884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610

Friday, April 22, 2022

4:00 pm-8:00 pm: Packet pickup

or

Saturday, April 23, 2022

7:00 am - 8:00 am

To make sure your zen and chi are intact on race day, we highly recommend packet pickup on Friday night.

During packet pickup, you will receive race numbers and SWAG. USARA fees of $8 for a one-day race membership, $35 for a yearly membership, or proof of USARA membership are required during registration and can be purchased here or during the registration process.

Supplied Gear

Canoes, paddles, PFDs, race maps, race passport, ePunch, rules of travel.  

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory gear will not be checked during check-in. Random checks on gear will be performed during the race. Penalty points will be assessed for any missing items. These items are not all inclusive of items you will need to complete the race. You will be out in the elements for up to 8 hours. Bring other equipment as appropriate to get through the event.

At all times during the race each racer must have in their possession the following equipment unless otherwise stated in the rules of travel:

• Pack to carry gear

• Enough food for replenishment

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

• Emergency blanket or bag (Strong only)

• Headlamp or Flashlight

• Closed-toe shoes must be worn during the entire race (no bare feet or open-toe sandals)

While biking each racer additionally must have:

• Mountain bike (mandatory for Strong) or any bike that has two (or three) wheels for our Family Adventure. The terrain will not be paved so just make sure your bike can go on hard packed dirt trails and gravel roads.

• Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)

While paddling each racer additionally must have:

• PFD Class III (provided by Adventure Enablers)

Per team:

• ePunch (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• GPS Tracker Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Race maps (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Rules of Travel (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• General Race Rules (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Fully charged cell phone in a watertight bag. Ideally, bring a smartphone so you can take pictures on the course

• Dry bag or method of keeping equipment (cell phone) dry in the event of bad weather and during the canoe section

• Bike tool kit and at least one spare bike tube

Boats will be provided. Two-person and three-person teams will get one canoe. Four-person teams will get two canoes. Soloists will get a kayak. Canoes will come with single-blade paddles. Kayaks will come with double-bladed paddles. PFDs will also be supplied. No outside canoes or kayaks are permitted. Outside paddles and PFDs are permitted. Canoes, paddles, and PFDs will be located at the canoe put in. You will not need to carry paddles or PFDs. If you bring your own PFD and paddle you will not need to transport them. You will not need to portage the canoe for any great distance. Personal PFDs must be class III (non-inflatable).

Any style of bike is permitted. Racers must use the same bike throughout the entire race. In the event of mechanical failures, replacement parts can be used but they must be provided by the team, other racers, or an event official. No outside assistance is allowed. Bikes will not be checked for mechanical worthiness, but we recommend your bike be in good working order. The course contains a mix of gravel road, smooth single track, and small sections of technical single track.  Choose your ride wisely. Front suspension is highly recommended. Full suspension will be quite nice to have.

You will have access to your vehicle at Downriver Canoe Company during the transition from paddle to trek, so you will not need to carry your trekking gear with you on the paddle.

Teams will be provided with maps to complete the course. Maps will be at 1:30,000 and 1:24,000 scale. Checkpoints will be pre-plotted. Additional maps can be used at the discretion of the racers. Maps will be released at 07:00 on race morning.

• Click here for the General Race Rules.

Who's your competition? Roster coming soon.

We're providing live tracking for the Shenandoah Epic. Follow your faves the entire 8 hours.  Also, with SportIdent ePunch timing, you will get results as soon as you crawl across the finish line. Post-race, pore over your split times for at least a week.

Prizes will go to the top 3 finishers in each division.

• Solo Male & Female

• 2 Person Male, Female, & Coed

• 3/4 Person Male, Female, & Coed

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!  

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Lodging:

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

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

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"Cabbin" at the Mountain Home B&B - 3471 Remount Road, Front Royal. $20 per bed (shared room, like a hostel) includes fresh linens, shower, breakfast, and other things they provide to their usual guests (Appalachian Trail hikers). Contact them directly for the $20 price at MountainHomeAT@gmail.com.  

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Quality Inn -  10 S Commerce Ave Front Royal, VA 22630, (540) 635-3161 

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

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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

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

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

We'll have plenty of food for post-race refueling!

We will have a media team on-site to capture all your pleasure and pain.

All racers will be required to purchase a race-day USARA membership for $8.00, already have a valid USARA membership, or purchase a 1-year membership ($35) at the time of registrtaion. For one day memberships, select the date of registration for you membership start date.