Smith Mountain Lake Ultra Triathlon

The Osprey Race is an event suitable for participants of all ages and activity levels, offering a well-marked, professionally timed race in one of Virginia’s most scenic state parks.

The event is sponsored by Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Inc., a volunteer 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting the use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the park. Proceeds from the race support park improvements, environmental education, wildlife-focused events, and meaningful community outreach throughout the year.

Chip timing provides accurate results, with live results available immediately after finishing. Runners will enjoy post-race refreshments, including recovery drinks, fruit, and energy bars. Top overall and age group finishers for men and women will receive awards, and all participants receive a high-quality moisture-wicking performance shirt as a memento of their accomplishment. Register by Friday, April 3 to guarantee a race shirt.

We look forward to seeing you on April 25!

Osprey 5K

Saturday, April 25 | 9:00-10:30 am

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Distance: 3.12 miles (GPS-measured)

Total Elevation Gain: 217 feet

Average Gain: ~70 feet per mile

The Osprey 5K is a scenic run or walk that’s approachable for a wide range of participants while still delivering a solid workout.

The race starts at the Beach Pavilion, with the beach and pavilion on runners’ right. The course heads up and around the main beach parking lot and continues onto State Park Road, climbing steadily past the boat ramp parking area. This opening section features a moderate, sustained uphill.

At approximately 1.2 miles, runners turn right onto Interpretive Trail. A water stop is located at the 1.5-mile mark, which serves as the 5K turnaround. From there, runners retrace the route back along Interpretive Trail, turn left onto State Park Road, and enjoy a smooth, moderate downhill.

The final section loops around the main beach parking lot and turns right into the upper beach parking area for one short uphill. After cresting that rise, the final 0.1 mile eases slightly downhill around the curve of the lot and then flattens to the finish, which faces the same direction as the start.

The best lake views for the 5K are at the start and finish area, with occasional glimpses along the course through wooded sections of the park.

Osprey 10K

Saturday, April 25 | 9:00-10:30 am

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Distance: 6.19 miles (GPS-measured)

Total Elevation Gain: 363 feet

Average Gain: ~59 feet per mile

The Osprey 10K builds on the 5K course with added distance, expanded lake views, and one clearly defined challenge.

The race begins at the Beach Pavilion, following the same opening route as the 5K: up and around the main beach parking lot, onto State Park Road, and past the boat ramp parking area on a gradual, sustained climb. At about 1.2 miles, runners turn right onto Interpretive Trail.

After passing the first water stop at the 1.5-mile mark, 10K runners continue through easy rolling terrain toward the Discovery Center area. A second water stop and turnaround is located at the 2.8-mile mark, just before the Discovery Center parking lot, keeping runners safely off the lot while offering fabulous, expansive lake views on both sides of the road.

Runners then head back along Interpretive Trail and, at approximately the 4.25-mile mark, turn right onto Overnight Road, a new addition this year. This short out-and-back segment includes the steepest portion of the course. A water stop is placed at the bottom of the hill, where runners turn around and begin the climb back up.

After cresting the hill, runners turn right back onto Interpretive Trail, where the course rejoins the 5K route. A left turn onto State Park Road leads into a long, controlled downhill, followed by a loop around the main beach parking lot and a short uphill through the upper beach parking area.

The final 0.1 mile eases slightly downhill around the curve of the lot and then flattens to the finish, which faces the same direction as the start.

Staged out of beautiful Smith Mountain Lake State Park this triathlon classic has clear water, mountain views and fun courses. The swim features a sandy beach start and a crisp, clear lake. The bike and run courses are rolling, but not too challenging. This is a great race if you are just starting out in the sport, or have been racing for 20 years. Smith Mountain Lake is home to numerous lodging options and attractions. There is great trail running in the park and the Blue Ridge Parkway isn’t too far away if you want to stay the night and ride again on Sunday. With numerous B&B’s, breweries and wineries in the area this race needs to be on your “racecation” bucket list!

Watch the Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon preview, then sign up below.

For further race details go to https://kineticmultisports.com/races/smithmountainlakesprint/.

Fleet Feet Roanoke is the Official Run Course Sponsor.

Participants will get SML Triathlon branded race socks in addition to their shirt at Packet Pick up! Sock Sizes will be first come, first serve!

The Bagel & I Food Truck will be set up at the race, providing additional food items for purchase!

Lodging Information

Enjoy the beauty of Fables and Feathers vineyards while logging some miles with friends and supporting the furry friends at Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center! This beginner-friendly four-mile route winds in and around the vines and property at Fables and Feathers, and the epic finish line of sipping and socializing awaits you! Rather than traditional timing for this event, Wine 4 Wildlife 4-miler overall male and female winners will be crowned based on closest to their PREDICTED FINISH TIME. That's right, all participants who wish to be eligible for the prediction run prizes will leave all watches/phones/devices at the start line and wind through the vineyard without any technology. Participation in the prediction run challenge is optional, but you must denote prior to race day whether or not you wish to participate in the challenge. The male and female participants closest to their predicted finish time will win a prize package from Hoka and our friends at Fables and Feathers Winery!

ALL finishers receive a limited-edition Wine 4 Wildlife wine-stopper medal- then present your medal at the tasting room for a free glass of Fables and Feathers wine! Additional tastings and purchases available onsite. Tasting room stays open late just for us, let's thank our event hosts at Fables and Feathers by supporting their small business! Event merchandise will also be available for purchase as well so bring your trail shoes and your thirst for fun- it's going to be a great day to walk, jog, run, and have fun for a great cause! Don't forget, our event overlaps with the Christmas in July event at Fables and Feathers so wear your festive Santa gear and earn $20 in store credit just for displaying your holiday spirit!

The Shorefire 25K and 10K take runners on a scenic tour linking the Smith Mountain Lake State Park trail system. The park’s stunning lake views are easy to enjoy thanks to well-maintained doubletrack trails, with open stretches of shoreline and a variety of native forest terrain. Flat, fast sections are balanced with several punchy climbs to keep things interesting.

25K:

The 25K course starts and finishes at the Beach Pavilion. The first 0.2 miles heads up the main parking lot and along the road, giving runners space to spread out before turning right at the Playground parking lot and heading into a flat, runnable section of doubletrack trail. Overall, the course is fast and mostly nontechnical, with a little over 1800 feet of elevation gain spread across rolling hills. The biggest challenge may not be the terrain; it’s resisting distraction from the beautiful lake views along the way.

Because Smith Mountain Lake State Park has an extensive trail network with multiple connectors, the 25K includes several turns and a few lollipop sections. The route will be clearly marked with blue flagging and directional arrows, and an official GPX file is available for runners who prefer to follow the course on a GPS watch:

https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6673167949

As a general rule of thumb for the 25K, most (though not all) turns are right turns, and runners will spend much of the course with Smith Mountain Lake on their right-hand side. While the trail system is expansive, runners are never far from a road or connector trail.

10K:

The 10K course starts and finishes at the Beach Pavilion, with about 700 feet of elevation gain. The first 0.2 miles heads up the main parking lot and along the road, giving runners space to spread out before turning left across from the Playground parking lot and dropping into Walton Creek Trail.

This early section includes the only technical portion of the 10K, but it’s short-lived. Once runners reach the bottom of the hill, the course opens up into flat, runnable doubletrack. The route then passes behind the Visitor Center and connects to the Five Oaks Trail. About a half mile into the trail system, runners turn right onto a 3-mile lollipop loop before returning the same way and heading back up Walton Creek Trail to the finish.

The course will be clearly marked with pink flagging and directional arrows, and an official GPX file will be available for runners who prefer to follow the route on a GPS watch.

Both courses start and finish at the Beach Pavilion, with easy access to parking, restrooms, and spectator-friendly areas. Bathrooms are available at multiple points along the course, including: the Beach Pavilion (start/finish); the Playground area (near the start/finish); Discovery Center; and Visitor Center.

Note: Elevation gain shown on the MapMyRun link appears lower due to GPS smoothing. Official course elevation gain is approximately 1,800 feet for the 25K and 700 feet for the 10K, based on barometric data from on-course recordings.

Aid Stations

Several aid stations will be placed along the 25K route. The first stop will be an unmanned water-only station. All the rest will offer runner-friendly race fuel, including Tailwind, water, bananas, oranges, PB&J, chips, candy and more.

25K aid

Mile 3.5: Unmanned water stop

Mile 4.85: Campfire Amphitheater, featuring gorgeous lake views

Mile 10: Campground

Mile 12: Five Oaks Trail loop

Mile 15: Unmanned water stop

10K aid

The 10K will share the Five Oaks Trail aid station (mile 2.75) and the unmanned water stop where Walton Creek Trail connects to the Visitor Center parking lot (mile 1.5 and 5).

Volunteers will be stationed at key junctions. Aid stations are positioned to support runners through the most demanding -- and scenic --sections of the course. Many of these locations are also ideal spots for friends and family to gather and cheer runners on.

The race begins and ends at the covered Beach Pavilion. Spectators are welcome to enjoy the park while runners are on the course. Smith Mountain Lake State Park is very family-friendly, with a playground, picnic areas, and a sandy beach. Please note that no lifeguard is on duty at this time of year, and swimming is at your own risk.

Friends of Smith Mountain Lake State Park will be featured as the official charity partner for Shorefire, with an option to donate directly to their work during registration. Donations support park programs, educational events, and trail stewardship.

Detailed turn-by-turn directions will be sent to registered runners prior to race day.

Parking & Park Entry

Smith Mountain Lake State Park charges a daily vehicle entry fee. To avoid congestion and delays at the park entrance on race morning, the park entry fee will be included in race registration. This allows runners and spectators to drive directly into the park without stopping at the gate, helping ensure an on-time start. Runners who hold an annual Virginia State Parks pass should note that the entry fee is still included in registration and cannot be removed or refunded.

Join us at Smith Mountain Lake State Park for the region's only Turkey Trot - 1 mile and family friendly 5k on November 26th (Thanksgiving) at 9 am! Hosted by LAT Wellness Studio, this race is located on a scenic, asphalt route and welcomes walkers and runners to participate. A portion of proceeds is donated to the state park.

Register by October 31st to guarantee a shirt. There will be prizes for top qualifiers for runners plus the best dressed turkey family! Awards for runners start at 10:00 am. Kids are encouraged to participate!

We encourage for you share this link with family and friends to expand our outreach to help raise money for the park! We hope to see you there!

For further questions or if you wish to become a sponsor, please reach out to the race director, Lacy Lynch via email at latwellnessstudio@gmail.com.