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Bottom line up front (bLUF)
Bottom line up front (bLUF)
FREE'ish 4-hour Orienteering 🧠+ Mountain Biking 🚵 + Paddling 🛶 ADVENTURE RACE on March 21st @ Walnut Creek Park in North Garden, VA.
Racers will navigate 500+ acres of rolling wooded terrain using only a map, compass, and snacks. The course mixes gravel, dirt, hiking, single track, and paddling on a lake. The parks moderate elevation change make the course fast and fun. Both teams and solo racers will search for hidden checkpoints, finding as many as you can in under four hours.Â
The race starts at 10:00 and will take place inside the park. It's a great choice for families, kids, and first-time racers.
The race includes on-foot, mountain biking, and paddling control points; you'll need to collect all three types to complete the race.Â
This race supports the a local charity. Donations are encouraged and will be collected at check-in. Check the FAQ for suggested donation items.
Boats
Boats
FREE entry if you bring your own canoe or kayak.
Boat rentals available on-site for ~$35 if you don’t have one.
Schedule
Schedule
March 21st 2026
9:00 Race check-in
10:00 Race start
2:00 Race ends
Gear list
Gear list
What to bring:
Mountain Bike
Canoe/Kayak + PFD + Paddle
Compass
Map Bag (or large ziplock)
Cell Phone (for emergencies)
Whistle (also for emergencies)
Garmin type watches with altimeters are permitted
Pants
Long Socks
Long Sleeve Shirt or Jacket
Baseball Hat (warns you of branches near your face)
Day Pack
Water
Food
Toilet Paper (if you bring it, you won't need it)
Small Pocket Knife
Basic First Aid Kit (band aids, moleskin, tweezers, duct tape, vitamin M...)
Hiking Poles (or pick up a stick)
Bug Spray
FAQ
FAQ
Cost: Free if you BYOB.
Free? Yes...but consider donating to Heroes on the River.
Who can race: Anyone.
Can my kids race?: Yes. The park will be saturated with control points suitable for all ability levels.
Can my dog race? No.
How young?: If your child is old enough to hike and bike in the woods, they are old enough to participate.
Do I need to know how to use a compass?: For most control points no.
Race Duration: 4 hours.
Solo Racers: Yes.
Teams: Yes, teams of 2-4.
Pre-race check-in starts: 0900.
Safety Brief: 0945.
Race Start: 1000.
Race Ends: 1400.
Race Length: ~10 miles.
Can the course be cleared: Yes.
Is the race family and kid-friendly? Yes, there will be a mixture of easy and difficult control points to reach.
Do I have to race for the full 4 hours? No.
Who wins: The team that clears the course first or finds the most control points in 4 hours.
Prizes: $25 @ Three Notch'd to the winners of the 4hr and 8hr race. $10 @ Three Notch'd to 2nd and 3rd.
Bike: Bring Your Own Bike (BYOB).
Boat: Bring Your Own Boat (BYOB).
Food: Bring Your Own Food (BYOF).
Water: Bring Your Own Water (BYOW).
Cell Phone: Yes, for safety, but not for navigating.
No solo racers under 18.Â
Racers 14-17 can race as a team.
How many control points: 30ish.
Weather Delay: If it ain't raining, we ain't training. If the weather conditions are dangerous, the race will be run the on Sunday. If the conditions are dangerous on Sunday, the race will be canceled.
FREEish!
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