This is a 50k (31.1 miles) ultramarathon to be run completely in the New River Trail State Park on the New River Trail.

All proceeds from the event will go to The National Committee for the New River (NCNR), a non-profit organization that protects, restores and educates about one of the oldest rivers in the world. NCNR works in all 3 states (North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia) of the New River’s watershed.

This is a “green race.”We will use local, recyclable items and products from companies with “green” practices as much as possible. We will use minimal disposable materials and those that must be disposable we will choose recycled or recyclable in our area as much as possible. To this end we encourage use of hand held water bottles/waist packs whenever possible! When choosing materials, foods and supplies for aid stations and runner “giveaways” we strive to have 75% of our goods come from either local manufacturers and/or growers (within 100 miles of course start) or from companies that have a demonstrated commitment to reducing their impact on the Earth.

For more information contact Race Director, Annette Bednosky, annettebednosky@gmail.com or call 336 620-2986 (c)

The event starts at 8am and has a 7-hour time limit. The Start/Finish area is northwest of Galax, VA in Fries, VA. This is the Fries Branch of the New River Trail State Park.

Course Description (Click here for a map): The course is 100% dirt, flat and entirely along the New River and Chestnut Creek in the New River Trail State Park. Runners leave the Fries New River Trail terminus and go north to Fries Junction. Runners turn south at this junction and continue to the turn around near Cliffview. Runners turn around and finish at Fries. There are 5 aid stations on the course.

Aid Stations: Aid stations at mile points 5.33/6.15, 11.82, 15.94, 20.06, 25.73. See course map for more detail. Each aid station will be stocked with, at a minimum, electrolyte drink, water, assorted sodas, PB&J squares, fig bars, salty snacks, candy, and fruit. Runners are encouraged to carry at least 1 water bottle as a very limited supply of disposable cups will be available.

Drop bags: Runners may leave a drop bag at the Start/Finish area race morning by 7:15 AM. Bags will be delivered to the Cliffview turnaround. Please clearly mark bags w/name, bib #. Waterproof the bag if necessary. Bags will be returned to the finish area by 2 PM.

Number Pick-up: This will occur at the Start/Finish area from 6-8 PM Friday night and 6:30-7:45am, race morning. Sunrise will be 7:25am and sunset the night before will be 6:58pm. Runners should consider bringing headlamps or flashlights to pick-up numbers. Parking is across a grassy field with limited lighting.

Pets: Dogs/cats are not permitted on the race course with runners. Dogs/cats are permitted within the New River State park and therefore at aid stations, however, according to park rules, must be kept on a leash at all times. Pet owners are expected to clean up after their pets.

Travel Directions: Driving directions to Start/Finish in Fries, VA and aid station directions for crews and supporters are here

Volunteers needed: We couldn't do this event without the generous and enthusiastic support of volunteers. We need folks to assist with registration, “sweep“ the first 15.94 miles, work at the finish line, wave banners at road crossings, and help park cars in the dark race morning. Please contact race director Annette Bednosky at annettebednosky@gmail.com if you or someone you know would like to help out!

Registration: In the spirit of being "green," registration will be handled online at UltraSignup.com.
http://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=6858.

Fees: $62 includes shirt, $40 no shirt. After 8/10/10 the fee will be +$15 per person. Shirt option not available after 9/10/10.

Shirts are Patagonia Capilene One long sleeve race shirt. (men's and women'ssizing).

Scholarships: A limited number of scholarships are available (without shirt). Please email race director with your request.

The $22 dollar difference, between $40 and $62, is purely to pay for the shirt, tax, shipping and printing. This option will allow us to continue to support The National Committee for the New River (NCNR) and to keep fees reasonable. Persons wishing to know more about the race budget and expense breakdown are welcome to contact the race director.

The first 100 runners to register will get their choice of the Quickdraw Plus hand held water bottle from Nathan Products or a locally made pottery tumbler . Runners over 100 will receive the Quickdraw Plus.

Lunch: Homemade soup, bread, cookies and fruit will be served in the Bingo Hall, next to the Start/Finish area. Meal included with registration. Runners are encourged to bring their own reusable cup/bowl/spoon to lunch to cut down on the need for disposables.

Awards: In addition to the registration gifts, the top 3 men (under 40 years), top 3 women (under 40 years), top 3 men (over 40 years), top 3 women (over 40 years), top 3 men (over 55 years), and top 3 women (over 55 years) will receive product prizes.

Drawing for various door prizes will be held on Saturday.

Area information: Fries is located 13 miles from Galax, VA and 15 miles from Independence, VA just several miles off of VA Hwy. 58. This website has all sorts of information (lodging, eats, history, etc): www.FriesVa.com

Sleep and Food: Restaraunts, fast food and supermarkets are available in Galax, Hillsville, and Independence. There is little food available in Fries. Click here for lodging and eating options.

History: Race director, Annette Bednosky, has been a competitive ultrarunner for the past 7 years and is entering her 6th year on the Montrail National Team. Annette has run in 60+ races from 50k-100 mile and 24-hour eventsin 10 states and holds 8 current course records. She represented the USA on the 2009 National 24-Hour Team in Bergamo, Italy.

When choosing this event to design and direct, Annette was striving to create an ultra in the southeast that would stand on its own as an event to train and focus on and also comes at a time of year that would fit into a runner who might be preparing for big events such as the Mountain Masochist 50 miler (3 weeks out) or JFK 50 miler (5 weeks out).

Although Annette personally prefers to run on technical trails, she does a fair amount of training on the New River Trail and thinks the surface of the trail is easy to run on and it’s flatness helps her develop her leg turnover. Annette would like more people to experience the joy of preparing for and participating in an ultramarathon and thinks this race would be good for people new to dirt and distance.

The New River Trail 50k is to be a green event, because Annette believes that all people, especially those of us who run in the woods (or mountains or desert) need to do what we can do to promote sustainable recreation in our outdoor and wild places. Even though we are a fringe sport, we can influence others to make good decisions when selecting products and behaviors that will be in good conscience hopefully move common practices of our sport.

Additional information:

• For those new to this sort of event, we suggest that you practice carrying fluids/fuel, as our aid
stations are an average of 5+ miles apart!

• Doing your first 50k and want some training ideas? Check out what Matt Sims has to say about training for The Stump Jump 50k at www.RockCreek.com.

• Dink Taylor has developed some 16-week 50K training plans based on the amount of time you can put in. They are planned for the Mountain Mist 50K, but can easily be adapted for this event!