Race Overview

Captain Thurmond’s Challenge is a three-sport 32 mile loop adventure race through New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Race maps can be found below.

You’ll complete the course in this order:

1. Mountain Bike — 16 miles

From the historic streets of downtown Fayetteville, riders climb toward Town Park and drop into the Town Park Loop. From there, the course flows through the Fayetteville Trail, crosses near Long Point, and continues onto Dalton, Craigs Branch, and Kaymoor Trail before descending all the way to the river at the Cunard River Access. Expect a mix of fast flow, steady climbing, technical roots, and classic Appalachian singletrack.

2. River Section — 7 miles

Launch from Cunard and paddle your way down the New River toward Fayette Station. This stretch brings Class III–IV big water, strong currents, wave trains, and technical features. Safety teams will be positioned at key points.

Allowed river craft:

• Kayaks
• Packrafts
• Canoes
• Rafts
• Any suitable NRG-appropriate craft
• Raft team registration includes a raft, certified guide, and all needed river safety gear with registration, or you may bring your own raft, guide and gear if preferred.

Required:

• Helmet
• Minimum Type III PFD
• Competency in whitewater environments

3. Run Section — 9.5 miles

From the Fayette Station take-out, racers head up to Kaymoor, climb toward Kaymoor Top, and enter the Arrowhead Trails for a full clockwise lap of Clovis Loop. The run continues on Butcher’s Branch, Long Point, Timber Ridge, and returns via Town Park Loop back into Fayetteville for a strong finish downtown. A mix of punchy climbs, flowy singletrack, and that classic Fayetteville finish-line energy.

Race Divisions

You may compete in:

Solo: This is where you have the opportunity to go all out with your best individual effort.

• Men’s Solo
• Women’s Solo

Relay (3-person teams): Are you a specialist. If so, then this is the division for you. Let your skill shine in either the MTB, river, or running section.

• Men’s Relay
• Women’s Relay
• Mixed Relay

Raft Teams (4–6 participants): There is nothing more fun than getting out there and getting after it with your crew. You and your team will complete each section of the course together as a group. Your time will be determined when the last person on your team crosses the finish line. It’s time to Bring the Ruckus!

• Men’s Raft
• Women’s Raft
• Mixed Raft

Raft teams may bring their own raft + guide or use the raft and guide included in registration.

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Event Route

CTC MTB Section
Mountain Biking Trail

Mountain Bike Course Description — Captain Thurmond’s Challenge

The mountain bike leg launches from Court Street in front of Fayetteville’s historic City Hall, sending riders straight into the action. From there, racers climb toward Fayetteville Town Park and drop into the Town Park Loop, riding it clockwise as the trail winds through classic New River Gorge terrain.

At the far end of the loop, riders exit onto the Fayetteville Trail, following it toward Wolf Creek and continuing across the Long Point Trail corridor until reaching the Kaymoor Top parking area.

From Kaymoor Top, riders enter the Dalton Trail on the right, flowing through fast singletrack until it connects with the Craigs Branch Trail. The course follows Craigs Branch down to the Kaymoor Trail, where riders push toward the finish of this stage at the Cunard River Access deep in the Gorge.

This point-to-point segment delivers a mix of climbs, flow, roots, and rugged Appalachian grit, everything you’d expect from the Captain Thurmond course.

CTC River Section
Kayaking Route

River Section — Racer Instructions (Cunard to Fayette Station)

The river leg begins at Cunard River Access. After launching, proceed downstream on the New River toward Fayette Station. This section includes Class III–IV rapids—racers should be prepared for strong currents, technical maneuvers, and fast-moving water.

Follow the main flow through the gorge. Stay alert for large wave trains, lateral hits, and rock features, especially in the upper half of the run. Safety checkpoints will be positioned at key rapids.

Continue downstream until you reach the Fayette Station take-out on river left. The river section ends when you cross the designated timing mat at the take-out ramp. Exit promptly and move to the transition zone.

CTC Run
Trail Running Route

Running Section — Racer Instructions

The run begins at the Fayette Station take-out. From the transition, proceed up Fayette Station Road and turn left onto the Kaymoor Trail. Follow the Kaymoor Trail uphill to the Kaymoor Top parking area.

From Kaymoor Top, continue toward the Clovis Trailhead at the Arrowhead Trail System. Enter Clovis Loop and complete one full clockwise lap. After finishing the loop, return through the parking lot to the Butcher’s Branch Trailhead.

Take Butcher’s Branch Trail to its junction with the Long Point Trail, then turn left onto Long Point and continue to Timber Ridge. Follow Timber Ridge Trail downhill toward the Fayetteville Town Park trail system.

At the Town Park Loop, turn left and run the loop clockwise back toward Town Park. Exit the trail and continue on the marked route back to the Start/Finish line to complete the race.