App(ugh)lachian Race Series - Day of Reckoning - 3.5 Miles/1700ft elevation

3.5 miles and 1700ft of elevation gain. Need we say more?

Ok, I'll say more. Please read all race details below.

This event will take place in Abingdon, VA on July 13, 2024, and will raise money for the Nature Conservancy. The street address listed is for an optional pre-race packet pick up on July 12, 2024 at 6:00pm. NOTE: this is NOT the race's address.

Race details:

Race fees/registration: $49 - Early Bird Pricing April 4 -June 16. $59 Regular Pricing June 17-July 10 - Please note that only runners registered by June 26th with be guaranteed a t-shirt. Also, keep in mind that this is a unique race that requires a lot more permits to put together, will feature a post race bbq, etc., and so it costs a little more than your average 5k to attend. But, this also means you are supporting local parks and the outdoors by doing so, because all profits benefit the Nature Conservancy. 

Pre-race packet pickup/meet-up: 6:00pm on July 12, 2024 at Abingdon Commons 238 W Main St Abingdon, VA 24210

Race swag: All participants will receive a custom race t-shirt, and those that register early enough will receive a pair of Thorlo socks.

Start time: 9:00am on July 13, 2024 - IMPORTANT: Participants will find out where exactly in Abingdon, VA the event will take place the first week of July. We do this so that everyone who enters the race, does so on an even playing field, and so no one can train on the route beforehand. Besides, you know the distance, the elevation profile (up), and roughly where it is, so you have everything you'll need to adequately plan. The location will be emailed 2 weeks out to the email provided in this sign up, and will be posted on the FB event page https://www.facebook.com/events/399060549269826.

If you cannot attend the pre-race packet pickup, please be sure to arrive at least 30-45 minutes prior to the race start to get signed in, pick up your packet, and have the director go over race details with you.

Course details: The course will be held partly on a paved road and partly on a gravel road. It pretty much goes straight up. In case you couldn't figure that out by the distance and the elevation gain. It may not be the steepest 5k, but you'd have to search pretty hard to find one steeper. 

Race rules: As part of the App(ugh)lachian Race Series, we have a few unique rules in our races to make sure everyone has a memorable experience.

#1 - You are not allowed to listen to anything, or wear headphones during the race. We want you to take in everything going on around you, and inside of you. No distractions or help. It's you vs you. 

#2 -You will have to carry something. The inside joke of these races in the past has always been that there will be a surprise water jug carry waiting for you at some point during the event. This year, we have decided to incorporate them a little bit differently. This year, you get to choose how many and how far you will have to carry them. Sort of. Here's the deal, you can either carry one gallon of water the entire 3.5 miles, or you can carry two gallons the entire second half of the race for 1.75 miles. But, you must choose before July 1, and let me know you're choice. Don't worry, I'll ask you if you haven't already told me. Now, theoretically, these choices are equal. But, despite what I might say about the choice being inconsequential, you can't really know if that is true or not unless you do it both ways, right? And, thus, since you cannot, this illusion of kindness is probably just me giving you weeks to second guess yourself, and hopefully make you feel, regardless of your decision, that you made the wrong decision on race day. (*sadistic smile*)

#3 - There will be special t-shirts made for those deemed to be App(ugh)lachian at the end of the race. Criteria for being such is simple - beat the race director. That's easy to do at the moment, but let us know how it goes on race day.

Post race: After the race, runners will be shuttled back to where they parked, and we will have a post race bbq with drinks and other snacks. We will also have a post race stretch provided by Whitetop Yoga of Abingdon, VA. Bring some camping chairs, etc. to take in the scenery and relax after all your hard work. We always make sure there's a great view to reward you with at the end.

Awards/Prizes: Top 3 Finishers

Gift cards - $50 - Sonder, $25 - Snow's Fine Meats & Provisions, $25 - Anthony's Desserts

Locally made goods - Wool beanie, gloves, and shoe insert from Dreamland Alpacas

We will also give an "UGH" award for the person who is deemed to have suffered the most in the race. 

We do not do any separate age category or gender category awards. You're all equally "special" in our mind.

Travel info: There is free camping available at the race site for those that submit a separate application. I will give this information out to those that request it. You may also email me with any other questions you may have about the event or traveling to Abingdon, VA.

Sponsors: THIS RACE DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT OUR SPONSORS, SO PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO CHECK OUT ALL OUR SPONSORS.

Patron Saints

Whitetop Yoga - Abingdon, VA

Supporters

Blue Hills Market - Abingdon, VA

Bristol Berry Bowls - Bristol, TN

Berry Home Centers - Abingdon, VA

Backers

Salt of the Earth (health spa) - Abingdon, VA

Food City - Abingdon, VA

Dreamland Alpacas - Abingdon, VA

Rick Hamm Photo - Meadowview, VA