Mountain Junkies L.L.C.

14th Explore Your Limits 5/10k
3/3/18 at 9:00a.m.

It’s not just the runners that have to deal with challenges.

We have just returned from marking and clearing the Explore Park trails for the race tomorrow.  Due to the severe windy weather over the last 24 hours there are many down trees along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) and access to the Explore Park, from the BRP, is currently closed.

In addition, our race headquarters did not have power when we got to the park.  If power is not restored by tomorrow morning, due to fire code, we will not be able to use any indoor space.  I’d suggest packing a few extra layers so that you can stay warm while we get the results calculated and finalized for the awards ceremonies.

Inclement Weather Plan

This race will be held regardless of weather.

Right now the Parkway is closed due to trees that have fallen from the the high winds.  Please familiarize yourself with the back way into the park (I suggest taking a look at google maps):

Here is a direct link to the BRP’s real-time road closure webpage – https://www.nps.gov/maps/full.html?mapId=e212fcb5-4ff9-4787-bbe4-3d40cc0d0daa#9/36.8390/-80.6506

Alternate directions to the Explore Park;
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 park in one of the 3 main lots.  Do not park along side the road or in the grass.

There have been over 20 hours of trail work removing downed trees, sticks, limbs, and leaves in preparation for this race.

Race Day Info;
Packet Pickup, Check-in, and Race Registration – 7:15-8:45
There will be a Race Briefing at 8:40 in front of the Visitors Center.

See you in the morning,

Josh and Gina Gilbert

Check out who your competition will be on Saturday.  We just uploaded the preregistered lists to the main webpage

Check out what’s new – https://mountainjunkies.net/site/gallop-for-the-greenways/

Friday 1 Miler

Saturday Free Kids Fun Run, 5k and 1.5 mile walk

The 6th wazUPwidis is coming this Saturday.  Check out our lists to make sure your information is accurate;

Preregistrants

Teams

Our visits to both of these spots have been added to the Roanoke Area Trails links.  Check them out and enjoy these great trail options.

North Mountain in Longdale Furnace

Hoop Hole

The wazUPwidis event takes a lot to get off ground.  If you can help, please go to our volunteer link and sign up to be on the course http://signup.com/go/fShVwbn

2018 – The year of the buddy

https://youtu.be/vfV7kd_-QNM

If you need a buddy, find one.

If you have a buddy, find another.

If you know someone that needs a little push, then it’s buddy time.

2017 was the year of do more, to push yourself, now it’s time to look outside yourself and help someone else.

The race is FULL!  To get on the waitlist go to https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Salem/RoanokeNonUltraTrailSeries   Although we don’t anticipate opening up any more spots we’ll contact you if we are able to get you into the race.  

Check out the schedule and get signed up for the RNUTS X.  The 10th year is sure to be a good one.

Seems like this info has slowly made it around the community of trail users looping around Chestnut Ridge.

The area was once mined for iron ore.  Once you consider this, the trail on the west side of the parkway spur starts to take on a different look.

As I find info on it I’ll try to post it here or to the Frozen Toe page.  But John Carlin did a good write up here – http://johncarlinsvirginia.blogspot.com/2011/11/of-giant-holes-and-iron-mines.html