Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Tough Cookie

Please see the race webpage for all of the race details - https://mountainjunkies.net/conquer-the-cove-25k-marathon/

This event has it all, great headquarters and trail system, tough challenging courses and the perfect time of year to see mountain laurel and rhododendrons in bloom. If you are from Roanoke it gives you a chance to compete against the home town folks to see who’s top dog. If you aren’t from Roanoke it gives you the chance to see 80% of the trails of the park that will be well marked and maintained. This is the anchor event to the Roanoke Non Ultra Trail Series (RNUTS) and is the perfect place to test your fitness.

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the place to run and ride if you are in Roanoke. It is the second largest municipal park in the nation. It holds not only a major water source within its 12,700 acres, but also overflowing recreation opportunities. There is approximately 40 miles of roads and trails in the park and within trail plan there should be miles and miles of new trails added each year.

Both race distances will be challenging. There will be a lot of climbing, approximately 3500ft of elevation gain in the marathon. 1000ft of this will occur following mile 18, but your reward will be 2.35 miles of downhill followed by a relatively easy 2 mile to the finish.

On June 3, let’s inspire the runner in EVERYONE!

2026 marks the 10th year of The Big Run®, our annual 5K event celebrating Global Running Day. In partnership with Virginia Amateur Sports and Brooks Running, we celebrate our local communities by bringing tens of thousands of runners together to cross a finish line and achieve a goal.

The Big Run will be the official 5K for the Virginia Commonwealth Games! With its tagline of "Inspiring wellness & competition" the Games represent the true spirit of amateur athletics. For some, this celebration of sport is a stepping stone for following the dream of representing the United States in the Olympic Games. For others, the Games are a place to compete in a favorite pastime. Regardless of the age or skill of the athlete, the Virginia Commonwealth Games provide the pure pleasure of competing for the love of sport.

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE FUN:

• Become a Fundraiser! The Top Fundraiser will win a head-to-toe outfit (shoes, top, bottom) from Brooks! Start your fundraiser for Smiles4Tab today!

• Middle of the Pack Award!

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

Join our 10th annual Camp Bethel PEP! 5K Run and Walk fundraiser! This 5K race covers some of the many trails, fields, and forests on the 470 acres of Camp Bethel, making it ideal for runners who wear spikes. ​Your fee (and sponsors) will benefit Camp Bethel. $40.00 Participant Fee includes fully stocked water/aid stations, a race t-shirt and swag, pre-and-post-race snacks and drinks, BRUNCH, good ole fashioned PEP!, and fun for everyone. Register by August 21, 2026 to guarantee your race t-shirt! Sponsor the run to make it more fun! Join us: for health, for fellowship, and for Camp Bethel!

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)