Adventure Racing
Shenandoah
EPIC
April 18-19, 2020
We gave this race a season to rest, but now it's back for its 9th year and ready to be stupendous. This tried and true Epic 24-hour AR will test your biking, paddling, trekking, and navigation skills as you explore two state parks (one of them brand new!) and national forest lands. Join soloists and teams of two, three, and four taking on the outdoors to the extreme.
Included:
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Live tracking with instant leaderboard
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ePunch timing for fast, accurate results
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Waterproof maps, two sets per team
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Post-race food
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Sweet SWAG
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Boats
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24 hours of racing through some of the most beautiful, rugged, and tough terrain on the East Coast at a perfect time of year
Description
Join us for one of our favorite races, and put your skills to the test for a full 24 hours of hard-core racing.
Racers will have 24 hours to cover up to 100 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 25-35 miles of trekking, 16 miles of paddling on the Shenandoah River, and about 50-60 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
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
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Soloist
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Two-person team
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Three- or Four-person team
Distance
16 miles of river paddling
25-35 miles of trekking
50-60 miles of mountain biking
Fees
Super early registration is $220.00 per team member & $250 for soloists until December 31, 2019
Early registration is $250 per team member & $275 for soloists until January 31, 2020
Regular registration is $275 per team member & $300 for soloists until February 29, 2020
Late registration is $300.00 per team member & $325 for soloists until close at midnight April 15, 2020.
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 17, 2020
Location TBD
5:00 pm-8:00 pm: Optional early packet pickup and happy hour
Saturday, April 18, 2020
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
Sunday, April 19, 2020
9:00 am: Race finishes
9:30 am: Post-race food and awards ceremony
Packet Pickup
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! Click here to sign up as a volunteer.
Gear
Supplied Gear
Canoes, paddles, PFDs, race maps, race passport, ePunch, GPS Tracker, 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 24 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 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
Closed-toe shoes must be worn during the entire race (no bare feet or open-toe sandals)
While biking each racer additionally must have:
Bike
Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)
Rear light (must be capable of blinking)
Front light with enough battery power to last 12 hours.
While paddling each racer additionally must have:
PFD Class III non-inflatable (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)
Compass
Lighter
Fully charged cell phone in watertight bag
Dry bag or method of keeping equipment dry in the event of bad weather and during the canoe section
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 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 portage the canoe for any great distance, and you will not need to carry paddles or PFDs when you are not on the paddle section. If you bring your own PFD and paddle you will not need to transport them. Personal PFDs must be class III (non-inflatable).
Bike Section
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, technical single track, and hike-a-bike. Choose your ride wisely. Front suspension is highly recommended. Full suspension will be quite nice to have.
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.
Awards
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
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!
Lodging:
Shenandoah River State Park (cabins, camping, RVs), 350 Daughter of Stars Dr. Bentonville, VA 22610, (540) 622-6840
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
Quality Inn - 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
Shenandoah River State Park (cabins, camping, RVs), 350 Daughter of Stars Drive Bentonville, VA 22610, (540) 622-6840
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
We'll have a photographer on course trying to catch you wincing, smiling with mud on your teeth, or trying to read a map folded to the size of a postage stamp.
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)
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.
