New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race 2023
Race date: May 6th, 2023
Start and finish:
Adventures on the Gorge
219 Chestnutburg Road
Lansing, WV 25862
Event Description
The New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race is a 6-mile road running race from one side of the New River Gorge to the other, ending with a short single-track trail section. This bucket list event will provide runners with breathtaking views throughout the course in the adventure sports capital of West Virginia: Fayetteville. Hosted by Adventures on the Gorge, racers will have access to resort amenities after finishing by the rim-side pool where a catered brunch will be ready to enjoy in Smokey’s.
The course will begin on the south side of Fayette Station Road and finish at Adventures on the Gorge. Racers should prepare for a descent of 1300 ft and climb 1300 ft with the steepest point being a 20% incline. The finish line will bring racers to the rim of the gorge with an overlook photo opportunity with the New River Gorge bridge in the background. Racers are welcome to walk the course but must maintain a 20-minute mile pace to complete the event during the allotted closed road time frame.
There will be no race day registration. We will not be able to transfer bibs to another runner Friday or race day. Also please note that this race is not dog friendly or stroller friendly.
Above is the full course map followed by the map of the trail section off of Burma Road to the finish line. The race is all on paved roads until you enter the trail section off Burma to the finish line were it’s a mix of single-track wooded trail, grass, and gravel.
Important Race Day Times
All racers are to meet at Adventures on the Gorge the morning of the race and will be bussed to the starting line. If you picked up your packet Friday, report to the courtyard beside building #5 ready to start loading busses at 7:15am. If you will be picking your packet up Saturday morning, report to the window kiosks at building #5 between 6:45am and no later than 7:30am. Racers will start loading buses at 7:15am. Buses will be loaded at full capacity with a total of 6 buses making laps to the start. The last bus will load at approximately 8:00am and cannot wait for late racers. We must be able to open the road to vehicle traffic by 10am.
Packet Pick-up
Friday, May 5, 2023 packet pick up will take place between 4:30pm-7:30PM at Adventures on the Gorge. Take the first left entrance into Adventures on the Gorge and find parking. From there you will walk to building #5. Packets can also be picked up Saturday morning of the race between 6:45am-7:30am at #5 building in the Canyon Rim Village. If you are picking up a packet for a friend or family member, please have a screen shot of their ID.
COVID safety measures; Masks are encouraged but not required. If you have any symptoms or have been exposed to anyone recently diagnosed with COVID, please do not attend the event.
Parking and Check-in at Adventures on the Gorge
For packet pick-up and for race day parking, two parking areas have been reserved for racers; the parking lots to the left and right of buildings #1 and #2.
Additional Parking
If the Canyon Rim parking is full, extra parking can be found across Chestnutburg Road on the Mill Creek side of AOTG. Enter at the yellow arrow and use any parking you find open. If parking at Mill Creek, please use caution when crossing back and forth on Chestnutburg Road.
RACE-DAY ITENERARY
Morning Check-in
Racers need to check in Saturday at Adventures on the Gorge Canyon Rim Village #5 building between 6:45am – 7:30am if you don’t already have your race number. Race numbers are chip timing and need to be worn in a visible area and must be shown to enter the bus. Use this time for restrooms as there are no facilities at the starting line.
Bus Transport to the Start Line
The first set of busses will be loaded at 7:15am with racers who wish to walk the course. Additionally, the first buses should be prioritized for racers who expect to have slower paces. When racers exit the bus, proceed downhill on Fayette Station Road to the start mat and begin the race. The first .5 miles will have vehicle traffic. Racers MUST stay in the RIGHT lane. Law enforcement, race staff, and timing staff will be directing traffic. There is to be little to no standing and waiting at the start area. Racers times will start when racers cross the timing mat. This is not a mass start event.
- The bus ride to the start line is less than 10 minutes.
- Do not take extra items with you or leave anything on the bus as it will be making multiple trips with other racers and activities.
- There will be no restrooms so plan to go at AOTG before loading on a bus.
- We are asking for no spectators at the start line as there is no room to park on the shoulders of the closed road. (To find out where to watch, see the spectator section below)
On the Course
Course marshals will be positioned throughout the course. Racers are to remain on paved roads the entire time until the end trail off Burma Road. This is a curvy course with switchback turns, loose gravel, and possibly other debris on the road. An ambulance service will be on call and any course marshal can notify EMS, if needed. Please look out for your fellow racers and help everyone to have a safe and fun event.
TRAIN CROSSING – this course does cross a live CSX train line with no schedule for shipping cargo. Additional timing mats will be in place should there be a train delay. Racers can cross a mat to stop their time, wait on the train to go by, and then cross a mat to restart their times. See diagram below. This is a precaution in case there is a train during the time of the race.
Aid Station
The aid station is at mile 4.5. They will be as contactless as possible. Water and snacks will be on tables for you to grab. If you have a bottle or other container to fill let the aid station volunteer know and THEY will pour it.
Finish line and brunch
When racers cross the finish line, they will be greeted by staff and volunteers with a finisher medal. Racers may proceed to the complimentary post-race brunch served at Smokey’s open air restaurant starting at 8:45am.
Every racer will be provided a wrist band for brunch in your racer packet!
Friends and family can purchase brunch on site. The resort pool deck will be open for overlook views, post-race photo ops, and relaxing in the outdoor seating. The pool will not be open for swimming the weekend of the race.
Race awards
The race awards will start at 10:30am at the pool deck with a short recognition of the top winners to receive their top finisher medals. After the awards, racers are welcome to relax and enjoy the resort.
Find yourself in photos
Photographers will be throughout the race; look for Tara around mile 4, volunteers at the “Burma Burn”, and Appalachian Timing Company will be taking finish line photos. Adventures on the Gorge has multiple overlooks for group photos and selfies on your own. Share your experience with #NRGR2R
Race Results
Race results will be posted on the RunSignUp page, Appalachian Timing Group webpage and Facebook, and the NRG Rim to Rim Facebook page.
Benefiting the community – thank you!
Proceeds from the race benefit Active Southern West Virginia which offers free physical activity programs within communities, elementary schools, local government, and workplaces in Nicholas, Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers counties.
Spectators
Calling all family and friends to get behind these racers and cheer them on!
The best place for spectators is in the finish line area near the pool at Adventures on the Gorge. Since the NRG Rim to Rim is a closed course, there are no opportunities to drive in to spots to cheer racers on, HOWEVER, spectators are also invited to walk the last mile of the race to support family and friends. This section goes through a trail, then a small portion of the road that is open to vehicle traffic (only those coming to/from campground as needed) so proceed with caution and yield to all vehicle and racer traffic.
You can find parking at Adventures on the Gorge and one of our many volunteers can point you in the direction to catch runners at the finish line or towards Burma Road. Bring your cowbells!
We are asking for no spectators at the start line. This will be a narrow, closed road.
Family and friends can join racers for brunch at Smokey’s by purchasing their meal at the hostess podium.
We couldn’t do it without sponsors and partners!
- Adventures On The Gorge (with great lodging options)
- West Virginia American Water
- Terradon
- Visit Southern West Virginia
- Highland Outdoors
- WVU Tech
- McClumsy
And supporting organizations:
- Fayette County Sheriff’s Office
- New River Gorge National River
- West Virginia Department of Highways
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
Race webpages and social media – #NRGR2R
New River Gorge Rim to Rim Webpage
New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race Facebook page
New River Gorge Rim to Rim Race 2023 Facebook event page
Active SWV Races Facebook page for content on #NRGR2R as well as other Active SWV Signature Events!
