Almost Heaven Adventure Race
Description
This is our marquee event. In 2024 we return to Davis, West Virginia and Canaan Valley State Park Resort. This year's edition will take teams on a tour of the northern end of the Monongahela National Forest and provide for an unforgettable experience.
Click here for the 2024 racer guide.
We are excited to offer a 24-hour adventure in Davis, WV. Nestled high in the Allegheny Mountains, the race course will explore the diverse and rugged terrain of the Canaan Valley. This is officially a USARA-sanctioned event and part of the Adventure Racing World Series (ARWS) North America Series of races!
Over the course of 24 hours racers will cover up to 100 miles, navigating beautiful and challenging terrain while paddling, trekking, and mountain biking and picking up checkpoints along the way. The race will feature 25-35 miles of trekking, 8-9 miles of paddling, and 45-55 miles of mountain biking. Athletes will discover relics of mining and logging days gone by while conquering the natural features that make Davis a boomtown for adventure!
Participants will be capped at ~100 racers and ~60 teams.
Location
Race HQ/Start/Finish:
Canaan Valley State Park
230 Main Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260
Categories
- One-person Team
- Two-person Team
- Three- or Four-person team
Distance
We are finalizing the design of the course, but you can expect:
- 8-9 miles of river paddling
- 20-30 miles of trekking
- 65-85 miles of mountain biking
Fees
- Super early registration is $275 per team member & $300 for soloists until January 31, 2024
- Early registration is $300 per team member & $325 for soloists until March 20, 2024
- Regular registration is $325 per team member & $350 for soloists until May 27, 2024
- Late registration is $350.00 per team member & $375 for soloists until close at midnight July 21, 2024. (We cannot guarantee race SWAG, i.e. shirts, to racers registering after July 12th).
An additional $8 race day fee (or proof of USARA membership) is required by USARA and can be purchased during registration. If you are purchasing 1-day membership, choose July 27, 2024, as the start date for your membership.
Registration platform fees also apply.
Schedule
Friday, July 26, 2024
15:00-19:00: Packet pickup and paddle gear drop
Saturday, July 27, 2024
6:30 am-8:00 am: Bike and Gear Bin Drop; Tracker, Map, and Passport Distribution
9:00 am: Race start
Sunday, July 28, 2024
9:00 am: Race finishes
08:30 am - 10:30 am: Post-race food
10:45 am: Awards ceremony
Packet Pickup
Maximize your equanimity and pick up your packet Friday evening.
During packet pickup, you will receive race numbers, maps, and SWAG. USARA fees of $8 for a one-day race membership, $35 for a yearly membership, or proof of USARA membership are required during registration and can be purchased here or during the registration process.
Packet Pickup
Supplied Gear
Canoes, paddles, PFDs, race maps, race passport, rules of travel.
Bike lubricants and personal embrocation cream provided courtesy of Squirt Cycling products!
Mandatory Gear
Mandatory gear will not be checked during check-in. Random checks on gear will be performed during the race. Penalty points will be assessed for any missing items. These items are not all-inclusive of items you will need to complete the race. You will be out in the elements for up to 24-hours. Bring other equipment as appropriate to get through the event.
At all times during the race each racer must have in their possession the following equipment unless otherwise stated in the rules of travel:
-
Pack to carry gear
-
Enough food for replenishment
-
Hydration system (hydration pack, water bottle, etc. with capacity to carry at least 2 liters)
-
Headlamp with extra batteries
-
Whistle
-
Knife with a minimum 2.5-inch blade
-
Emergency blanket or bag
-
1 long-sleeve wool blend or other type of insulated top (no cotton)
-
Fleece/wool hat/buff
-
Waterproof jacket
-
Closed-toe shoes must be worn during the entire race (no bare feet or open-toe sandals)
While biking each racer additionally must have:
-
Bike
-
Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)
-
Rear light (must be capable of blinking)
-
A front light with enough battery power to last 12 hours.
While paddling each racer additionally must have:
-
PFD Class III non-inflatable (provided by Adventure Enablers)
Per team:
-
ePunch (Provided by Adventure Enablers)
-
GPS tracker ((Provided by Adventure Enablers)
-
Race maps (Provided by Adventure Enablers)
-
Rules of Travel (Provided by Adventure Enablers)
-
General Race Rules (Provided by Adventure Enablers)
-
Compass
-
Lighter
-
Fully charged cell phone in a watertight bag
-
Dry bag or method of keeping equipment dry in the event of bad weather and during the canoe section
-
Bike tool kit and at least one spare bike tube
-
Emergency First Aid kit – Teams may use the Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight 0.7 or build their own kit as long as the kit contains the following listed required contents. (8) 2x2 or 3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1) conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive bandage, (1) tape ½”x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage, (8) 200-mg ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2) afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic ointment, (1) tincture of benzoin, (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2) pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer,(3) safety pins, (1) duct tape.
Paddle Section
Boats will be provided. Two-person and three-person teams will get one canoe. Four-person teams will get two canoes. Soloists will get a kayak. Canoes will come with single-blade paddles. Middle seats are not provided. Kayaks will come with double-bladed paddles. PFDs will also be supplied. No outside canoes or kayaks are permitted. Outside paddles and PFDs are permitted. Canoes, paddles, and PFDs will be located at the canoe put in. You will not need to portage the canoe for any great distance, and you will not need to carry paddles or PFDs when you are not on the paddle section. If you bring your own PFD and paddle you will not need to transport them. Personal PFDs must be class III (non-inflatable).
Bike Section
Any style of bike is permitted but mountain bikes are recommended. Racers must use the same bike throughout the entire race. In the event of mechanical failures, replacement parts can be used but they must be provided by the team, other racers, or an event official. No outside assistance is allowed. Bikes will not be checked for mechanical worthiness, but we recommend your bike be in good working order. The course contains a mix of gravel road, paved road, smooth single track, technical single track, and hike-a-bike. Choose your ride wisely. Front suspension is highly recommended. Full suspension will be quite nice to have. No eBikes.
Transitions
There will be multiple transition locations along the course. Logistics and transition staging can be found in the racer guide here.
Maps
Maps will be at scales 1:24,000 with UTM grid markings along the edge of the map. Maps will be on waterproof paper. Nearly all points will be pre-plotted. You may have to plot some points using a UTM plotter at 1:24,000 to complete the full course. You will be required to navigate using various types of maps. Map and compass skills are necessary to locate most of the checkpoints. No GPS units are allowed. Teams will receive two sets of maps. Solos will receive one set of maps. Maps are 11x17 double sided.
Race Rules
Who's Racing?
Who's your competition? Click here to find out.
Volunteer
The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun! Volunteer signup will be available closer to the race date.
Awards
Prizes will go to the top 3 finishers in each division.
-
Solo Male & Female
-
2 Person Male, Female, & Coed
-
3/4 Person Male, Female, & Coed
Lodging & Things to Do
Looking for things to do or a place to eat while you or your fans are in town? Check out this handy area guide.
Lodging:
PLEASE BOOK YOUR LODGING ASAP! Parsons is hosting the 'Pickin' in Parsons Bluegrass Festival' July 30-August 3 and many guests arrive the week before. Lodging will be limited!
Canaan Valley Resort
We have a block of rooms reserved at Canaan Valley Resort. You can check availability, rates, and book through this link.
Camping is available within Canaan Valley Resort and can be reserved through this link. (https://www.canaanresort.com/accommodations/camping/)
Blackwater Lodge (55 minute drive from Start/Finish area)
Call 304.259.5216 to make a reservation.
Camping is available within Blackwater Falls State Park. Reservations can be made at this link (https://wvstateparks.com/places-to-stay/campgrounds/blackwater-falls-camping/)
Blackwater Falls State Park sits nestled closely between the towns of Davis and Thomas.
River City Inn
A short drive from Davis and CVSP is Parsons, WV. The newly-renovated River City Inn is ready to host you. Reach out to them via their website: https://parsonsrivercityinn.com/
Post Race Food
A delicious post-race breakfast will be served on Sunday morning to help you refuel.
Photos
We'll have a photographer on course trying to catch you wincing, smiling with mud on your teeth, or trying to read a map folded to the size of a postage stamp.
All racers will be required to purchase a race-day USARA membership for $8.00, already have a valid USARA membership, or purchase a 1-year membership ($35) at the time of registration. For one day memberships, select the date of registration for you membership start date.
Sponsors