Captain Thurmond's Challenge is held in the center of beautiful downtown Fayetteville, WV & is an extreme triathlon consisting of 28.5 miles of the most extreme Mountain Biking, White Water and Running in the state and some would say the East Coast. Participants can register to compete as part of Raft Team, a Relay Team, or in the Solo Division. If you’re looking for teammates or are concerned ab
out the White Water leg of this race, we encourage you to contact us and we will be happy to help you assemble a team. This race is part of the New River Gorge Challenge Weekend so pack up the friends and family and head on out for a weekend of racing for every level! In addition to the Captain Thurmond's Challenge on Saturday, August 7th, 2021, a 5K will also be held in town that morning with proceeds supporting the New River Gorge Learning Co-Op. There is also an awesome FAMILY-FRIENDLY triathlon held Sunday, August 6th in the town of Thurmond, WV, a short drive from Fayetteville. BIKE
The 15 mile bike will lead you from the start line in the Town of Fayetteville through some of the best single track trail the New River Gorge has to offer. You will have approximately 0.75 miles of paved ride through the town. You will turn right into the second town park entrance (to the NPS parking area). From there, you will drop down onto the Park Loop Trail & take the right fork of that trail. Continue on this trail until you turn right on the Fayetteville Trail that will drop you down to Wolf Creek After crossing Wolf Creek Bridge, you'll make a steady climb up to a sharp left turn on Fayetteville Trail. Keep climbing & you will continue on Fayetteville Trail as it crosses the Long Point Trail. You will pop out at Kaymoor top & continue until you reach the Arrow Head Trails. Here you will follow Dalton trail out to Craig's Branch--a rough access road where you will have a screaming down hill to the Kaymoor-Cunard Trail. This trail will drop you out on the Cunard access road, which is the paved final stretch of the bike race. Please Note: The Cunard access road is a paved road that is VERY fast and we must implement some safety rules & guidelines for this descent, which will be discussed at the pre-race meeting, just before start time. The bike trails will be well-marked & staffed with volunteers to keep you on the right track. PADDLE
The 7 mile paddle will run you right down the middle of the gorge passing through some of the best class white water the east coast has to offer. You will encounter Class 3 -- Class 5 rapids so this race is NOT for your beginner boater. Make sure you have white water experience before going down this river. If participating as part of a raft team, this portion may include the option of including an experienced raft guide as part of your team. RUN
The 6.5 mile run may seem short but don't be fooled-- the elevation gain is over 1,100 vertical feet. You will run from the takeout at the river approximately 3 miles up Fayette Station Road before turning onto the Bridgeview Trail, a steep scrambly trail with an awesome view of the NRG Bridge. That trail connects back with the Fayetteville Trail, where you'll retrace your steps (or "pedals") through the Water Treatment Stretch back into the Finish Line in town. FINISH LINE
There will be plenty of food, music, and fun to greet you back into town after an amazing day in the New River Gorge Challenge! Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each division. EVENT DETAILS & SCHEDULE
Online early registration will open early 2021. Race-day registration begins at 8am, with a $10 price increase. T-shirts are included with online registration, but will be first come, first serve on race day. Online registration will ensure that a shirt is available in your size on race day. Packet Pickup also begins at 8am on race day. There is no scheduled early packet pickup. The race is scheduled to start at 10 am sharp. We will have aid stations throughout the course, but it is August, which is usually toasty & humid here in WV, so please come prepared with any extra fuel or drinks you think you may require.
*Solo racers gear must be loaded on National Guard trucks by no later than 9:30 am!
*Relay team and Raft teams are responsible for their own shuttle! We will not handle any rafts due to liability concerns.
