Races
Rim to River
West Virginia New River Gorge. Rim to river. Sixteen thousand feet. Sandstone and rhododendron.
101 mi32 hours774 ft to 2,054 fttech 5/106 stationsNew River GorgeWSER qualifierOctober
Distance101 mi
Altitude774 ft to 2,054 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 75°F
- Start1,627 ft
- High2,009 ft
- Low865 ft
- Finish1,660 ft
- West Virginia at mile 0.0
- Rim to River mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 6.4 hours
- Rim to River mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12.8 hours
- Rim to River mile 61 at mile 61, cutoff 19.2 hours
- Rim to River mile 81 at mile 81, cutoff 25.6 hours
- Finish West Virginia at mile 101, cutoff 32 hours
Field, 2024 · 6-year sampleresults
Starters241
Finish rate78%
Median28:14
Sub-2436
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop840 ft-8.4% over 1.9 mi
Night miles47 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men15:34:12Dan Green
Women19:00:27Hollyann Swann
The cruxNew River Gorge rim descent on sandstone (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Rim to River runs 100 mi through West Virginia. Surfaces skew 80% trail / 20% forest road. New River Gorge rim descent on sandstone. High point near 2,054 ft. Low near 774 ft. October temps run 40°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 32 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
October in West Virginia: plan for 40°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 32 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 80% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. New River Gorge rim descent on sandstone near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Rim to River finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2024): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=110630
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=90461
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=81105