Location: Jackson River Scenic Trail, Covington, VA
The Jackson River Scenic Trail follows its namesake river, winding its way between Intervale, just north of Covington, to Smith Bridge Trail Head 7.2 miles north. The trail follows an old railroad bed of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (Hot Springs Branch) and passes through small communities, cultivated fields, and small patches of woodland along the way. It's common to see wildlife from the trail (birds, turtles, raccoons, rabbits, ground hogs, and deer). The Jackson River Scenic Trail Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K coincide with the Covington Cork and Pork celebration! Contact The Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce and Tourism for information 540-962-2178. Packet pick up on Friday, June 22, will run from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Covington Farmers Market located at 134 West Main Street, so you can plan to join the festivities downtown! In its fifth year, the Covington Cork and Pork Festival BBQ competition is a Kansas City Barbeque Society sanctioned event. While the barbeque will stand front and center as the centerpiece of this festival, there will be entertainment, a wine-tasting event, and children activities. Friday's activities run from 12 noon to 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s events run from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. On Saturday morning, packet pick up will move to the Intervale Trailhead and open at 6:30 a.m. The marathon will begin at 7:00 a.m., the half marathon at 7:15 a.m., 10K at 7:30 a.m., and 5K at 7:45 a.m. All races begin and end at the Intervale Trailhead in Covington, Virginia. Field parking is available, however, we encourage carpooling whenever possible. The course is on the smooth, crushed-gravel surface of the Jackson River Scenic Trail. The trail is mostly flat with some light hills. This is an in-and-out course, meaning all races begin and end at the Intervale Trailhead. Each race has well-marked turn-around points with volunteers making sure you don't miss them. There will be hydration stations on both the way out as well as on the return back. Port-a-johns are available at the start/finish, and at the trailheads of Petticoat, Smith Bridge and Natural Well. Refreshments will be available at the finish line. Marathon runners should be able to finish the race in a 14:00 pace. This is a 6:30 full marathon time. Half marathon runners should be able to finish the race in a 14:00 pace. This is a 3:05 half marathon time. Age brackets for the races depend on participation. All finishers will receive a finisher’s medal. 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 certificates of achievement. Thirty minutes following the completion of each race by the top 3 men and women, the awards ceremony for that race will take place. The location of the awards ceremony is the large tent at the Intervale Trailhead. Please note that we will not mail awards so please plan to remain for the awards ceremony for your race!
Location: Jackson River Scenic Trail, Covington, VA
Saturday, June 23, 2018 3:00 AM - Saturday, June 23, 2018 9:30 AM
Intervale Trail Head, The Jackson River Scenic Trail Dressler Dr., off US 220 (just north of Covington) Covington, VA US 24426
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Overview The Greenbrier River Trail weaves a path of 77 miles through lush forest and rural small towns of West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands,...
The Greenway Trail is a one-mile path of finely crushed limestone that is located just outside of New Castle. The trail runs mostly on Craigs Creek...
_210048_nb.jpg)
The Lewisburg and Ronceverte Trail (commonly known as the L&R Trail) will one day connect these two historic towns set amid the Allegheny Mountains of...
Overview The Chessie Nature Trail travels for just over 7 miles through breathtaking rural Virginia countryside, following mile markers left behind...
Opened in 1999, the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail in Salem (just outside of Roanoke) is associated with Southern Virginia's impressive Civil War...
Nestled in a remote mountain valley deep in the Appalachians, the Potts Valley Rail Trail skirts a wilderness area and farmland as it rolls through...
Lick Run Greenway begins in downtown Roanoke and heads north just over 4 miles to end between Huff Lane Park and Valley View Mall. Along the way, the...
The James River Foot Bridge carries the Appalachian Trail over the James River in Snowden, Virginia, approximately 20 miles northwest of Lynchburg....
The Mason Creek Greenway Trail follows its namesake creek closely, stretching for over a mile. The trail starts on Roanoke Boulevard and heads north,...
The Wolf Creek Greenway follows its namesake waterway for two miles through Vinton on the outskirts of Roanoke in western Virginia. Its surface is...
The Roanoke River Greenway will one day span 25 miles between Roanoke and Salem along its namesake waterway. Currently, much of the paved pathway is...
The Tea Creek Area Trails system consists of 12 trails totaling 44 miles, many of which follow old logging railroad corridors. The trails are found in...
