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Aces Over 8s Adventure Race // 11.08.25 // Mint Springs
BLUF
BLUF
FREE 4 & 8 hour orienteering + mountain biking adventure race.
Explore America's first frontier and test your grit in the Aces Over Eights Adventure Race! An orienteering and mountain biking race inspired by the legendary frontier lawman, gambler, and gunfighter, Wild Bill Hickok.
Racers will navigate rugged terrain armed with only a map, compass, and whatever snacks they can carry. The course blends fast-flowing singletrack and fireroads, with off-trail navigation, pushing racers to balance speed with strategy. Teams and solo racers alike will face steep climbs, hidden checkpoints, thorns, and the unpredictable wilds of the Blue Ridge backcountry.
Like Hickok himself—who lived by equal measures of boldness, wit, and a taste for risk—you'll need nerves and a pioneer's toughness to succeed.
There are two race options.
The 8hr race starts at 0800 and will take place in the park and potentially adjacent private property - more to follow.
The 4hr race will take place soley in the park and is a great choice for families, kids, and first time racers.
Both races include on-foot and mountain biking controlpoints, you'll need both types to complete the race.
Donations to Crozet Cares Closet will be collected at check-in.
Schedule
Schedule
November 8th 2025
0700 8hr Race Check-In
0800 8hr Race Start
0815 4hr Race Check-In
0900 4hr Race Start
1300 4hr Race End
1600 8hr Race End
Gear list
Gear list
What I Would Wear & Bring If I Were You:
Mountain Bike
Compass
Map Bag (or large ziplock)
Cell Phone (for emergencies)
Whistle (also for emergencies)
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 (bandaids, moleskin, tweezers, duct tape, vitamin M...)
Hiking Poles (or pick up a stick)
Bug Spray (they aren't bad yet)
FAQ
FAQ
Cost: Free.
Free? Yes...but consider donating to Crozet Cares Closet. The most requsted donations are: bar soap, conditioner, deodorant, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, diapers (adult & child), feminine hygiene products, all purpose cleaner, dish soap
hand soap (pump), laundry detergent (small/medium size), paper towels, toilet paper.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 hike 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: 3 hours.
Can I race <3 hours?: Yes.
Solo Racers: Yes.
Teams: Yes, teams of 2-4.
Pre-race check-in starts: 0700.
Safety Brief: 0745.
Race Start: 0800.
Race Ends: 1200 (kids/family) 1600 (8 hr race)
Race Length: Unknown (spring race was ~8 miles, this one will be longer)
Can the course be cleared: Probably.
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 8 hours? No.
Who wins: Whatever team finds the most control points in 8 hours or the team that clears the course first.
Prizes: The pride of winning.
Food: Bring Your Own Bike (BYOB).
Food: Bring Your Own Food (BYOF).
Water: Bring Your Own Water (BYOW).
Cell Phone: Yes, for safety, but not for navigating.
Any racers under 15 years old must be accompanied by an adult racer over 18 years old.
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 on November 9th. If the conditions are dangerous on Sunday, the race will be canceled.
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