19th Into the Darkness Night Trail Run
October 25th, 2025, 7:00pm
New course and race HQ
Registration Fees;
$32.00 on or before September 30th (plus processing fee)
$37.00 after October 1st (plus processing fee)
$40.00 from Thursday 10/23/25 until the Race
About the race
This year’s course will be totally different from prior years.
This is the Roanoke Valley’s most unique event. The course will take you through 3.6 miles of the Explore Park. Following the successful Mountain Bike Nationals XCO event, we finally got out to the Explore Park to see what we could put together for our 19th Into the Darkness. The course will be totally different this year and we’ll be running the XCO course in reverse. The course consists of .25 miles of asphalt road before putting you on twisty rolling single track for the rest of the event. The trails will be marked with reflective arrows, glow sticks, and the occasional surprise (nothing scary, this is a family event). Every effort will be taken so that you will easily be able to find your way and stay on course.
A light source is mandatory; it is recommended that you have at least a headlamp or flashlight. I personally think it is best to carry one of each. A headlamp to see where you are going and a flashlight to cast shadows and give you depth perception (easier to see those sneaky roots and rocks). We will leave this up to your personal preference. It is recommended that you try your choice of light source under similar conditions prior to running the race.
PLEASE NOTE—Headlamps, flashlights, and any other light source will not be provided by race management.
10/23/25 – Thursday – Gilbert Chiropractic – 10-1 & 3-6pm – 375-3990
10/25/25 – Saturday – Explore Park – Packet Pick-up from 5:15pm-6:40pm
Race Day Itinerary
5:15-6:40pm – Packet Pickup and Check-in.
6:45-7:00pm – Race Briefing – Discussion of Race & Course details.
Post Race
– We’ll have the usual MJs food along with water and a replacement drink.
– Into the Darkness Awards Ceremony
Age brackets for the races include, for both male and female:
9 & Under; 10-14; 15-19, 20-24; 25-29; 30-34; 35-39; 40-44; 45-49; 50-54; 55-59; 60-64; 65-69; 70 & over
The top 3 overall male and female finishers for each race will receive distinctive awards.
The top three finishers in each age group will receive a medal recognizing their achievement.
Race Course Description;
There is a lot going on with the Explore Park and every time we are out there there is more work being done.
The race course is totally new and will start/finish at the HQ and then take the road .25 to the start of the trail. We’ll be running the Mountain Bike Nationals XCO course in reverse. At the end, 3.6 miles, you will come out of the trail where we will have the finish. Other than the asphalt road at the start the rest of the race will be on trail. Once on the trial, it is a matter of following the person in front of you are the many reflective tacks, glowsticks or trail decor that we have set out for your amusement.
Until we get out there to get the course in the correct direction, here is a link to the course in the opposite direction that we’ll be running it – https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/19995158694
Explore Park Map;
Race HQ and Parking – we’ll be parking people in the gravel lot across from the HQ and then the main asphalt parking lot of the park.
RACE DAY RULES:
- Race number must be on your front, and visible at all times. Do not tear off the bottom strip until the finish (Even if we chip time the event. The tear tag is our backup).
- Follow the marked trail – no short cutting. We have eyes everywhere!
- Communicate and be courteous when passing or being passed.
- Same goes for our volunteers. They’ve taken their day off to help you.
- Headphones (ipods, mp3 players, etc) are permitted only if you keep the volume down so that you can hear other runners behind you and our volunteers when they need to get your attention. Failure to do this will jeopardize the use of headphones for you and the other runners in the future.
- External audio, broadcasting music, or other noise is prohibited.
- Dogs are NOT permitted.
- If you drop out of the race, please let us, course marshal, or volunteer know before leaving the event.
Directions to the Explore Park
You may want to consult this PAGE to verify if the parkway is closed;
Once on the Blue Ridge Parkway go to milepost 115. Take the road into the Explore Park. Once in the park, you will head to the parking options here Parking.
Race Headquarters and Parking
We will be the HQ on the map and setup under tents.
From the North on I-81
Take I-81 to exit 150B (alternate 220 South). Take A220 approximately 5.5 miles south to HWY 460. You will take a left onto 460 East. Take 460 approximately 2.9 miles to the exit for the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). Once on the BRP head south for approximately 9.4 miles to the exit for Virginia’s Explore Park. Take this road a mile or so until you enter the park.
From the South on I-81
Take I-81 to exit 143 for I-581 south. Take I-581 south through downtown Roanoke. Once you are through downtown I-581 turns to HWY 220. Continue to take 220 south until you reach the exit for the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). This will be about a mile after the Lowe’s and Home Depot. Take the BRP north approximately 6 miles to the exit for Virginia’s Explore Park. Take this road a mile or so until you enter the park.
If the Blue Ridge Parkway is Closed:
Take I-581 towards Downtown Roanoke. Take the Elm Exit. From the North take a RIGHT on Elm or From the SOUTH take a LEFT. Pass the hospital and take a LEFT at 2nd light onto Jefferson Street. Once on Jefferson take a LEFT at the 4th light onto Walnut Ave. Follow Route 116: After crossing the bridge take a LEFT on Piedmont, then a quick Right on Riverland. After 1.5 miles take a LEFT, off of Route 116, on to Rutrough Road (we will try to have a sign/ARROW here to direct you at this tricky turn. We have had many signs taken from this location so we will not guarantee the sign will stay there). Take Rutrough approximately 4 miles to a sign for the park on your LEFT. Enter Park and parking will be in the second lot on your left.
For Race Information Contact:
Mountain Junkies L.L.C.
26 West Main Street, Salem, VA 24153
540-525-9452
info@mountainjunkies.net