Star City Half Marathon & 10K

Join us to run the streets and trails of Blacksburg at sunset! Prizes awarded under the stars! The Downtown Sundown 5k Race is part of Summer Solstice Festival and is the 5th race in the 2026 RunAbout Race Series presented by Roots Realty Group.

Race starts at 8pm. Run in the night with the sunset at 8:42pm. Participants are encouraged to wear glowsticks, lights, and/or reflective clothing.

Race Day Schedule (Saturday June 20th)

6pm to 7:50pm - Packet Pickup at the Alexander Black House Lawn on Draper Rd

7:45pm - Race registration closes

8:00pm - Race start on Draper Rd behind the Town Municipal Building

You can pick up your race packet at RunAbout Sports from 3pm to 7pm on Friday the 19th.

Packet Pickup Schedule

Friday June 19th - 3pm to 7pm: Packet pickup at RunAbout Sports

Saturday June 20th - 6pm to 7:50pm - Race day packet pickup at the Alexander Black House lawn on Draper Rd

The 2026 High-Performance Distance Academy is scheduled for July 13th to the 18th, 2026.

The focus of the camp is training and is recommended for motivated runners. All abilities are welcome; the only requirement is the desire to be better. Camp Website: www.CrossCountryRunningCamp.com

HOUSING AND DINING | All campers will eat, sleep, and live in the same manner as a student-athlete at Virginia Tech. Campers will be housed in an on-campus air-conditioned Tech dormitory located close to training facilities. On-campus dining facilities will feed our campers and are only a short walk from both the dorms and athletic fields. Meals are all-you-can-eat and have an impressive variety of culinary styles and options to choose from. Virginia Tech’s Dining Facilities have been ranked #1 in the nation for college campuses for several years!

TRAINING WEEK | Training will be based on individual experience. Our goal is a motivating and meaningful week of camp without injuries or over-training. Most days of camp will include two-a-day runs, but each run provides athletes with a choice between three distances and or often an option for yoga instead of running. Campers will also complete a pool workout, circuits, plyometrics, and daily strength training. Run routes throughout the week include time on the Virginia Tech Cross Country Course, Jefferson National Forest, and a vast network of trails surrounding Blacksburg and the Virginia Tech campus. There will also be plenty of free time to rest and hang out with new friends or jump into games of beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, or pick-up basketball. Additional camp-wide activities in the past have included Mt. Lake recreation area, river tubing, hiking to the picturesque Cascades waterfall, and a day on the beach at Claytor Lake.

ELIGIBILITY & COST | Girls and boys entering grades 8th – 12th are eligible to come to camp, whether you are new to the sport of running or a seasoned veteran. We also allow graduating high school seniors entering their freshman year of college to attend camp, as long as the participant is under the age of 19 when camp starts. Middle school-age campers can attend camp but are strongly urged to have an adequate training base before attending. A $75.00 deposit is paid when registering and then the remainder is due when you receive your packet in late June. The cost of attendance is as follows (the deposit is subtracted from the total). So the prices below include the deposit.

Athlete - $775.00 ($760.00 for 5 or more of the same team, $745.00 for 10 or more!)

Commuter Athlete – $625.00 (includes breakfast, lunch & dinner/ NO room)

Sunday early drop off (July 12th) - $160 additional fee; includes lunch, dinner, campus room, and chaperone coverage.

Coaches – $705.00 ** Coach free with six athletes and assigned camp position. Another coach can also come with 12 athletes.

Commuter Coach- $550.00 (includes breakfast/lunch/dinner/ No room) **

ATHLETES CHALLENGED | The goal of the Academy is to challenge each athlete and get them started off on the right foot for the summer. We don’t do 100-mile weeks, but we do train smart. With the help of the counselors, athletes choose both which runs to do and how far to go during each run. Given all of the options, a typical week of camp accommodates around 18 miles for beginners and up to 60 or more for experienced athletes. The campers will run with some of the best distance runners in the country and learn to train their way. we want everyone to leave the Academy motivated, excited, healthy, and ready for a great season.

STAFF | The High-Performance Staff is one of the best groups of any camp out there in terms of ability, experience, enthusiasm, and excitement for the sport of running. Past editions have included Olympians, NCAA National Champions, NCAA and High School All-Americans, Footlocker and NXN finalists, and experienced and successful college and high school coaches. With a counselor-to-athlete ratio of just over 1:10, athletes truly get an unbeatable level of time commitment and guidance they deserve from an incredible staff.

INDIVIDUAL GUIDANCE | A hallmark of High Performance is the individuality provided to each of our campers. With our high counselor-to-athlete ratio, athletes can spend a lot of time getting to know their counselor and often continue to be mentored long after the conclusion of camp. Many of our counselors also return year after year and can continue guiding their past campers on an even more individualized basis. The week is capped off with a one-on-one meeting discussing each athlete’s specific goals and offering advice not only in the sport of running, but also in academics, recruiting, and life in general. Typically ranging from 30 minutes to over two hours apiece, these meetings allow campers to bridge what they’ve learned at camp to their own lives. Athletes leave camp with a personal evaluation of their physical skills (running form, general strength, endurance, etc.), goals, and words of encouragement from their counselor.

TIME FRAME | One of the biggest praises received from the coaches of our campers is the time frame during which camp takes place. Most running camps take place at the end of the summer just before the start of the cross-country season, a time that is too late to start training to have a successful season. High Performance occurs much earlier in the summer in hopes of getting athletes motivated to start training sooner in the year. Over and over again, we hear from coaches whose athletes have attended camp and show up to the first day of practice in great shape because of the training that continued after the conclusion of camp. They enter the cross-country season with a solid base and are ready for a great season as a result.

LOCATION | Blacksburg, Virginia is repeatedly chosen by multiple publications as both one of the Best Small Towns to Live In and the Best Place to Raise Children throughout the United States. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, Blacksburg offers ideal running weather dominated by warm days and cool evenings, as well as ideal running terrain at 2000 feet above sea level with both rolling hills and mountain climbs often dipping over 3000 feet. The Virginia Tech campus connects to extensive bike paths and trail networks and is surrounded by the Jefferson National Forest. During camp, athletes will have the opportunity to run on a grass cross-country course that played host to the 2012 and 2019 ACC Championships and 2024 VHSL State championships. Campers will also partake in a hill climb run and hike at Mountain Lake where the movie Dirty Dancing was filmed, and where Lance Armstrong won a stage race during the 1995 and 1996 Tour DuPont. This area of the country is an incredible

place to train!

VIRGINIA TECH | Virginia Tech has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country marked by the famous Hokie Stone buildings, state-of-the-art facilities, and historic tradition in strong academics and athletics. Athletes will be housed in one of Tech’s residence halls, giving them a feel for what life is like in college. Virginia Tech is famed for having one of the finest food establishments in the nation after being ranked #1 nationally for college dining. Campers will eat at Dietrich Dining Hall, which offers a wide variety of choices to keep athletes eating healthy and often!

WE RUN and HAVE A LOT OF FUN! | In between training, we will hike, swim, and play plenty of beach volleyball, ultimate frisbee, basketball, and giant soccer. Camp is capped off with a talent show full of laughs and, of course, forming lasting relationships with new friends from around the country. It truly is an incredible week!

Salem Distance Run

52nd Anniversary Salem Distance Run

Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026

Location: Longwood Park, 601 E. Main Street, Salem, VA 24153

Races will start in front of the "Shrewd Outdoors" building at 201 E. Main Street

Race founder: Richard Browder, Retired Track Coach, Roanoke College

5K: Race starts at 8:00 a.m., $30.00 (includes t-shirt). Additional $5.00 if registered after July 31, 2026

10K: Race starts at 8:00 a.m., $35.00 (includes t-shirt). Additional $5.00 if registered after July 31.2026

Kids Run: 1 mile fun run through Longwood Park. Race starts at 7:30 a.m., $20.00 (includes t-shirt). Additional $5.00 if registered after July 31, 2026

Volunteers are an essential part of our success! Sign up for yourself or a group looking for a fun community service project.

Packet Pickup: Friday, August 7th at RunAbout Sports Roanoke from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. & Saturday, August 8th at Longwood Park from 6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.

Rules & Details:

• Runsignup.com registration is available thru race day. Preferred-sized shirts are available thru July 10, 2026

• The race will start on Main Street and finish at Longwood Park

• Parking is available at Longwood Park or downtown Salem

• Award ceremony will be held at the conclusion of the race

• No pets or strollers are permitted

Contact:

Salem Parks & Recreation: [email protected] or (540) 375-3057

The Joe LaRocco 5k and Elementary School 1k Run are a part of the Knights Crossing Cross Country Invitational hosted by Cave Spring High School. These courses are flat, fast, and 100% grass/gravel. If you want to get an early Fall PR, this is your course. Come be a part of a meet with the thousands of runners from multiple states racing in 11 different races.

Questions regarding the Joe LaRocco 5k or Elementary School Championship 1k races can be directed to the Assistant Meet Director John Wiggins at [email protected]. Any questions regarding the high school or middle school races should be directed to Head Meet Director Tommy Maguire at [email protected].

Joe LaRocco 5k: @ 8:00AM

This race is open to coaches, parents, alumni and the general public. Athletes who attend public or private middle/high schools and are attending the Knights Crossing Invitational with their team should run in the appropriate division later in the day. Per VHSL/NFHS policies, athletes who are home schooled cannot race against public or private Virginia schools or other sanctioned out-of-state schools and must therefore participate in this separate "open" race.

Awards: Awards will be given to the Top 3 Male/Female Overall and as well as the Top Male/Female Masters (40+) runners. Additionally, coaches with individuals or teams racing at Knights Crossing are eligible for the "fastest coach" award (Male/Female).

Purpose: This race is named after the late Joe LaRocco who was a long-time Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Cave Spring High School. During his tenure at Cave Spring, he taught History and Government classes from 1980 until his retirement in 2013. Additionally, Mr. LaRocco was a long-time USATF official and starter, starting races at the high school and collegiate level for over 20 years.

Records/Results:

5000m Open Race Overall Records (New Course - 2019):

Men: Luke Mussard 15:18.44 (2022)

Women: Annie LeHardy 18:21.00 (2024)

5000m Open Race Master's (40+) Records (New Course - 2019):

Men: Matthew Wisnioski 17:18.27 (2022)

Women: Ashley Palmer 18:46.9 (2025)

5000m Open Race Coach's Records (New Course - 2019):

Men: John Wiggins 16:20.00 (2019)

Women: Kate Vanderstelt 21:18.6 (2025)

Historical 5k Team Results:

2024: 1st RVE (15 points), 2nd ABCA Cross Country (66 points), 3rd CSXC Alumni & Friends (71 points)

2023: 1st Blacksburg Striders (18 points), 2nd CSXC Alumni & Friends (59 points), 3rd C&C Runners (76 points)

T-Shirts: The paid registrants will receive a Joe LaRocco 5k T-Shirt until supplies run out!

Teams: Racers can also compete as part of a co-ed racing team using Cross Country scoring to dictate winner. A team is NOT required to participate in this event but encouraged. Please note that teams require 5 or more runners to be scored and be in consideration for the awards (Top 3 teams).

Elementary School 1k: @ 9:00AM

This race is open to all Elementary-age students (1st-5th grade). All participants will be given a 2024 Knights Crossing T-shirt at packet pick-up and a medal at the finish line commemorating their race.

1000m Elementary Records:

Boys: Connor King 3:48.32 (2022)

Girls: Aryana Sarmadi 4:00.2 (2025)

Additional Information:

Concessions: Basic concessions will be available for purchase behind the start line along with other food vendors.

Medical: Emergency medical needs will be supported by the Cave Spring HS Athletic Trainer and the Cave Spring Rescue Squad.

Packet Pick-up: Packets may be picked up the morning of the race at Green Hill Park starting at 7:00AM. When entering the park, packet pick-up is to the left along the road with the Concessions and is marked with a large blue "swooper" flag.

2025 Schedule of Events:

7:00 AM Course Opens - Packet Pick-up (Near Concessions) & Open Race registration (Online only - At Finish line)

7:45 AM - Open Race (Joe LaRocco 5k and 1k Elementary School Race) closes

8:00 AM - "Joe LaRocco" Open 5K Team Race for men and women

8:30 AM - High School/Middle School Coaches Meeting at the Stage

9:00 AM - Elementary School Championship 1K Race - (Boys/Girls)

9:15 AM - Open Race Awards

9:30 AM - Girls Middle School Championship 4K Race (Medals to Top 25)

10:15 AM - Boys Middle School Championship 4K Race (Medals to Top 25)

10:45 AM - Girls Red Race 5K (VA Public schools & out-of-state teams) (Medals to top 25)

11:30 AM - Boys Red Race 5K (VA Public schools & out-of-state teams) (Medals to top 25)

12:00 PM Girls Black Race 5K (Smaller VA Public schools & all private schools) (Medals to top 25)

12:45 PM Boys Black Race 5K (Smaller VA Public schools & all private schools) (Medals to top 25)

1:15 PM - Girls White Race 5k (VA Public schools & out-of-state teams not in Red) (Unlimited entries)

2:00 PM - Boys White Race 5k (VA Public schools & out-of-state teams not in Red) (Unlimited entries)

2:30 pm - Girls & Boys will race together in Gold Race 5k (VA Public & all private schools not in Black race) (Unlimited entries)