Supporting running in the metro Richmond area
Willis River (formerly Swinging Bridge) 35K & 50K
The races and events page that was recently changed had a mixture of last year's race and this year's race with the message that it was closed.
It is still open. We have about 65 runners right now. I'll try to get the page corrected but in the meantime here is the correct link for registration.....
https://www.raceit.com/Register/?event=6797
Race Director
Kevin O'Connor
Views: 304
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gary Hearn on -
The 35K and 50K go in the opposite direction to the Swinging Bridge (as the original 10 miler did) and then come back on the same trails. The 35K ends at the start point while the 50K utilizes the current 10 mile course to obtain the additional mileage.
Course maps are located on the back of several of the T shirts from prior races.
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Permalink Reply by Ralph W. Gibbs Jr. on -
Just playing the devil's advocate, what if we don't have access to an old t-shirt? I am interested in running one or the other. What are the trails like? Is it technical? Easier, harder or on the par with Buttermilk? Forest Hill? I've heard there are streams to cross that could be thigh deep. What can we expect?
I am doing Bear Creek this year. So I guess I will find out soon what the final portion of the 50 is like.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin on -
The map that is available was made by the Old Dominion Appalacian Trail Club more than 12 years ago when I first started running these trails. So there have been some "modifications" due to the whims of nature.
But I will scan the old map and attach it to another message.
As to the difficulty of the trails - there are a number of stream crossings but they haven't been more than ankle deep this year. The footing is not extremely technical, but there are sections where roots and rocks make it necessary for most runners to slow down or walk.
The main obstacle is paying attention to the trail markings and turns. This is a "wilderness" trail as designated by the forest service and I use flagging tape and signs at many of the more confusing areas - but most previous runners will tell you you can go off trail , briefly.
My instructions to runners has always been, "If you haven't seen a white blaze on a tree or a white ribbon in about 2 minutes, you need to go back to the last one and get back on course".
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Permalink Reply by Kevin on
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I'm trying to attach the trail map.
The numbers on the map are not relative to miles. They are identifiers
of specific locations on a trail description - for example, #5 Rock Quarry Forest Rd. gate.
The first Aid Station at #4 is about 6 miles into the run, the next Aid Station is the turn around for the 35K at about 10.6 miles, there is an Aid Station at the end of the 35K before the 50K runners run the last 10 mile section (with another Aid Station at Winston Lake at the final turn around, about 26 miles.
- Attachments:
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Willis River Trail Map.pdf, 585 KB
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Permalink Reply by Ralph W. Gibbs Jr. on
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Thank Kevin! I appreciate your responses, and the map!
I have done one 50k on a rails to trails, that was relatively easy (relative to the course type, not the distance). It sounds like this one is on the par with Fendley Station Loop at Pocahontas with some Buttermilk and Forest Hill type roots and rocks areas and streams thrown in for good measure.
Is it basically flat or hilly? Long climbs or short ones? Single track or wide?
I am still up in the air about the distance, but may opt for the 35k this year. I'll know more after Bear Creek.
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Permalink Reply by b white on -
The BC 10 is mostly single track of rolling hills, creek crossings, downed trees to cross and many roots. Nothing like anything I have run at Pocahontas? Challenging but very rewarding. Snow has marked trail for last two BC runs, not sure how I would do relying on trail markers. If wet there can be some swampy areas. No real long hills on BC but can be slick if wet. Hope this helps. Kevin's description of the footing is very accurate.
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