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Cap Trail Summer Challenge presented by Atlantic Union Bank

Sat May 25 - Mon September 9, 2024 Richmond, VA 23219 US

Challenges

Conquer the Capital Trail: 51.7 miles

$25 Price increases after July 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

There and Back Again: 103.4 miles

$25 Price increases after July 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

Birthday Challenge: 465.3 miles

$25 Price increases after July 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EDT

Description

Conquer the long, sunny days and join us outside for the Cap Trail Summer Challenge!

Choose a distance goal and run, walk, bike, skate, handcycle, or dance your way on the Virginia Capital Trail to an awesome and active summer!  You can...

  • Aim to complete all 51.7 miles of the Virginia Capital Trail.  Whether all at once or a mile at a time, this Challenge is about passing each and every mileage post on the Virginia Capital Trail.
  • Double down for 103.4 miles.  You still need to pass every mile post on the VCT, but the other miles can be completed wherever you like!  Of course you can keep it all on our wonderful Trail (not that we're biased or anything).
  • Go for 465.3 miles.  Random number?  Not at all!  In honor of the Cap Trail's upcoming 9th birthday, this is 9 times the length of the Trail.  Again, aside from passing every mile post at least once, where you log the rest of these miles is up to you.

While you do need to complete all of the Virginia Capital Trail in its entirety (passing each mile post at least once) for each Challenge, this will be on the honor system.  But why wouldn't you want to see the whole Trail?

Complete your miles between May 25th and September 9th, submitting your results on your RunSignUp profile (result submission will stay open for 48 hours after the challenge ends). There will be a $5 price bump on July 16th and September 4th is the last day to register.  Those who complete their Summer Challenge by September 9th will receive a finisher's shirt indicated the number of miles they conquered!  

Share your Summer experience on social media with #CapTrailChallenge

 

All proceeds benefit the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation.

If you donate at least $100 DURING REGISTRATION, $25 will be deducted from your registration fee.

If you start a FUNDRAISER that reaches $100, you will be refunded $25 from your registration.

 

How to Participate

Choose Your Distance Goal: Summer Challenge Distances are 51.7 Miles, 103.4 Miles, and 465.3 Miles. You will need to complete the entire Virginia Capital Trail (each of the 51.7 miles), and any additional miles needed.  Run, walk, bike, skate - whatever mode you choose.  Make sure to record your results!
How can you complete the entire Trail?  You've got options!
No matter your goal, you'll need to cover each mile of the Trail at least once.  Think in terms of passing every mile marker.  This means you'll want a drop off and pick up system.  Or plan to visit different sections of the trail throughout the summer. Sign up with a friend and shuttle vehicles (one at each end of the section you intend to complete) or ask somebody to pick you up when you're finished.  Check out our interactive Trail map to help with planningYou can also utilize Amtrak.
Note:  You could go 26 miles out and 26 miles back, thereby doing 52 miles on the Trail but still not have done ALL of the miles of the Trail which is needed to complete the Challenge.
If you're aiming to do one of the longer challenges (103.4 miles or 465.3 miles), you can park in different places along the Trail and go out and back to your vehicle each time!

 

Uploading Your Mileage

For each month of the Summer Challenge, your mileage must be submitted by the first day of the next month.
  • May Mileage must be Submitted by June 1
  • June Mileage must be submitted by July 1
  • July Mileage must be submitted by August 1
  • August Mileage must be submitted by Sept 1
  • September Mileage must be submitted by Sept 9. This will give us time to determine 
 
To submit your mileage, do the following:
  • Log into your RunSignUp profile.
  • Click on your profile picture in the upper right-hand corner.  From the drop down menu, click "Profile".
  • Scroll down until you find the "Cap Trail Summer Challenge".
  • On the right side of the event listing, click on "Submit Virtual Results".
  • Select your activity (note the distinction between "Ride" and "Ebike"), enter the date you did the activity and how many miles you completed (recording time is optional).  Then click "Submit Activity".
  • On the activity saved confirmation page, you can select to record another activity or submit your photos!
You can also check out RunSignUp's result submission instructions page.
Share your efforts on social media, using #CapTrailChallenge

 

 

Pop-Up Rest Stop Dates and Locations

To support you in your Summer Challenge efforts, we will host Pop-Up Rest Stops on the following dates:
  • May 25, 10:00am-1:00pm: Near the Wharf Street Parking Lot and Rocketts Landing, Milepost 49.5
  • June 29, 10:00am-1:00pm: Four Mile Creek Trailhead, Milepost 39.5
  • July 20, 10:00am-1:00pm:  Jamestown Settlement Trailhead, Milepost 0.0
  • August 17, 10:00am-1:00pm: Herring Creek Trailhead, Milepost 27
  • September 14, 10:00am-1:00pm: End of Summer Challenge Party at Charles City County Courthouse, MP 20

 

 

End of Summer Challenge Party and Prizes

On Saturday, September 14th from 10 AM - 1 PM the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation will be hosting an End of Summer Challenge Party at Charles City County Courthouse (milepost 20)!  All registrants will be invited and finishers can pick up their t-shirts on-site.
There will also be prizes awarded to top finishers!  Winners will be based off of submitted results and will be awarded in the following categories:
 
  • Most Cycled Miles Overall: a cycling jersey in your size, VCT cyclist sticker
  • Most E-Biked Miles Overall: a cycling jersey in your size, Road Tested Bike Tours' "Cycling Adventures Along the Virginia Capital Trail" e-book, VCT cyclist sticker
  • Most Ran Miles Overall:  one entry into the Cap Trail 10m & 5k run, VCT runner sticker
  • Most Walked Miles Overall:  one entry into the Cap Trail 10m & 5k run, VCT socks, VCT sticker
  • Most Skated Miles Overall: a Capital Trail Tech Tee, VCT skater sticker
  • Most Variety:  VCT buff, VCT shirt in your size, VCT sticker
  • Most Improved Returning Participant:  VCT hat, VCT shirt in your size, VCT sticker
  • Best Photo:  VCT magnet, VCT shirt in your size, VCT sticker
 
Show us what you can do this Summer!
 
 
 

Swag

Each participant who completes their chosen mileage challenge will receive a Challenge T-Shirt to commemorate their achievement.

How to Get Your Shirt:

**Upload your completed Mileage for each month by the first day of the following month.**

Participants who complete their Challenge mileage goal by July 1 will have the following options:

  1. Rest Stop Pickup on July 20 at the Jamestown Settlement Trailhead, 10:00am-1:00pm
  2. Ship Your T-shirt ($12, will be mailed in mid-July)
  3. Office Pickup at VCTF located at 200 S 3rd St. Richmond, VA 23219 during the following dates/times:
    • Wednesday 7/24, 9:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-4:00pm
    • Thursday 7/25, 9:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-4:00pm

Participants who complete their Challenge Mileage after July 1 and submit by September 10 will have the following options:

  1. End of Challenge Party Pickup on September 14 at Charles City Courthouse, 10:00am-1:00pm
  2. Ship Your T-Shirt ($12, will be mailed in late September)
  3. Office Pickup at VCTF located at 200 S 3rd St. Richmond, VA 23219 during the following dates/times:
    • Wednesday 10/2, 9:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-4:00pm
    • Thursday 10/3, 9:00am-12:00pm and 2:00-4:00pm

 

Once you receive your shirt, take a photo with it and share it on social media using #CapTrailChallenge
 

 

FAQ

How do I participate?     Register for a distance and complete the whole Trail (51.7 miles) at least once.  You can run, walk, bike, skate, hand-cycle, dance - whatever gets you active on the trail!  The Cap Trail Summer Challenge presented by Atlantic Union Bank is about keeping you motivated to have an active summer.  If you're on wheels, you're required to wear a helmet. 
As you complete your miles, submit your results so you can reach your goal.
**Your mileage for each month must be submitted by the first day of the following month.**

How do I submit my results?     Through your RunSignUp profile.  Follow these instructions on how to do so
Please note the distinction between "Ride" and "Ebike". Participants using E-Bikes must submit their mileage in the "E-Bike" category.

Where does the Challenge take place?     At least partially on the Virginia Capital Trail.  For each challenge, you will need to complete all 51.7 miles of the Trail. Think of this as passing each Milepost at least once. If you've signed up for more miles, it's up to you where to ride the rest (either on the Trail or elsewhere).

What is the Virginia Capital Trail?    The Virginia Capital Trail is a 51.7 mile multi-use trail running from Jamestown to Richmond along the scenic Route 5 corridor.  Get more info here.

When do I get my Finisher's Shirt?     Simply registering for the Cap Trail Summer Challenge presented by Atlantic Union Bank does not guarantee you a finisher shirt - this is a Challenge!  Once your submitted results reflect your completion of the distance you registered for, your Finisher's Shirt will be available for you to pickup up or ship. ***Please note, the shipping fee cannot be refunded, even if you don't reach your goal.***  

I completed my challenge and want to keep going!  What do I do?     That's awesome!  You have a couple of options.  1) Continue to log your miles as you have been.  You won't be receiving anything additional after you've completed your Challenge, but you can continue to track your progress with us.  2) Sign up for another Challenge!  You will need to register again, but this is the only way to get another shirt.  You can log the miles you already completed this summer or start from scratch, your call!

 

Refund Policy

We do not allow refunds on this event.  
Once your registration is processed after the 15 minute grace period, you cannot change your distance or remove yourself.  In case of severe weather or a local/state/national emergency, VCTF reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the event for safety concerns.  In any case, we do not refund fees, transfer registration to another year, or transfer registration to other riders.  In the unlikely case an event is canceled, you may claim your registration fee as a tax-deductible donation.

 

Event Contact Info

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