Captain Thurmond's Challenge

Event Overview

Captain Thurmond's Challenge is a multi-sport adventure triathlon located in Fayetteville, West Virginia. The event takes place within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, starting and finishing in downtown Fayetteville in front of the county courthouse. Participants navigate a 32-mile loop that incorporates mountain biking, whitewater paddling, and trail running.

Course Details

The challenge consists of three distinct segments completed in a specific order:

• Mountain Bike (16 miles): This stage begins on the historic streets of downtown Fayetteville before entering the Town Park Loop. The route continues through various trails including Fayetteville Trail, Dalton, Craigs Branch, and Kaymoor Trail, finishing with a descent to the Cunard River Access.
• Whitewater Section (7 miles): Starting from Cunard, participants paddle down the New River to Fayette Station. This stretch includes Class III-IV rapids and technical water features. Available craft options include kayaks, packrafts, canoes, or rafts.
• Trail Run (9.5 miles): The final leg starts at the Fayette Station take-out. Runners ascend the Kaymoor Trail toward the Arrowhead Trail System, complete a loop on the Clovis Trail, and return to downtown Fayetteville via Butcher’s Branch and Long Point trails.

Participation Categories

The event offers several ways to compete:

• Solo: Individual participation for men and women.
• Relay: Teams of three people where each member specializes in one of the three disciplines.
• Raft Teams: Groups of 4-6 participants who complete the entire course together. Registration for this category includes a raft, a certified guide, and safety gear, though teams may opt to provide their own.

Logistical support is provided in the form of gear transportation for mountain bikes, kayaks, canoes, and rafts between transition points and the town center. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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