Description

Click here for the participant email sent 4/8/19 full of race-day information!

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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! It's also perfect for anyone who wants to hone their navigation skills without too much pressure because here's a fun twist--we'll release the maps early (exact time to be announced)! 

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!

Location

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

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

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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.

Categories

• Soloist

• Two-person team

• Three- or Four-person team

Distance

12 miles of river paddling

10-15 miles of trekking

15-20 miles of mountain biking

Fees

• Super early registration is $100.00 per team member & $120 for soloists until December 31, 2018

• Early registration is $115 per team member & $135 for soloists until February 28, 2019

• Late registration is $130.00 per team member & $150 for soloists until close at midnight April 9, 2019.​

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.

Schedule

Friday, April 12, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm: Early packet pickup at Downriver Canoe Company, 884 Indian Hollow Road, Bentonville, VA 22610

Saturday, April 13, 2019, at Downriver Canoe Company, 884 Indian Hollow Road, Bentonville, VA 22610

6:00 am-7:45 am: Race packet pickup and transition setup

8:00 am: Load buses for the race start

9:00 am: Race start

5:00 pm: Race finishes

5:15 pm: Post-race food and awards ceremony

Packet Pickup

Early packet pickup: Friday, April 12, 5:00 pm-7:00 pm at Downriver Canoe Company 

Race-day packet pickup and transition setup: 6:00 am-7:45 am at Downriver Canoe Company (884 Indian Hollow Road, Bentonville, VA 22610)

During packet pickup the team captain must be present, all forms must be completed for every team member, and fees must be paid for USARA membership if necessary. If you do not have all the forms for all team members, we will not give you your race packet until we have them in hand. During packet pickup, you will receive maps, rules of travel, ePunch, and race numbers. USARA fees of $8 for a one-day race membership, $35 for a yearly membership, or proof of USARA membership are required and can be paid at packet pickup. Participants younger than age 16 do not need to pay for the USARA membership but they still need to complete the USARA waiver.

Volunteer

The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun!  We have options for individuals, groups, and families.  Donations to charities are available.  Looking to complete service hours?  We can help you out with that, too. Click here to sign up as a volunteer.

Gear

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)

• 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

Paddle Section

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).

Bike Section

Road and cyclo-cross bikes are not 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.

Transitions

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.

Maps

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 before race day so you can work on your strategy well ahead of time.

Race Rules

• Click here for the General Race Rules.

Who's Racing?

Who's your competition? Click here to find out.

Prizes and Awards

We're mixing things up a bit. Prizes will go to the top-10 finishers overall, regardless of the category! (Points for ARC and USARA will still be valid for each division.)

Lodging & Things to Do

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

Post Race Food

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

Photos

Click here for Bushnell Photography's great race-day photos from 2018.

Waivers and forms

• USARA one-day membership and USARA release form (Must be completed by all racers before race packets are distributed to the team)

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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). Please bring exact change or check. Under 16 year olds do not need to pay for the USARA membership but they still need to complete the USARA waiver.