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Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB Short Track (XCC) Race Series

The Throat Punch Thursday - Summer MTB Short Track (XCC) Race Series is a cycling, mountain biking, track, and trail running event held on Thursday, August 13, 2026. It is located at 1300 Blanton Ave in Richmond, Virginia.

Date:
Thu, Aug 13, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Location:
1300 Blanton Ave
Richmond, Virginia
23221
United States
OpenStreetMap Google Maps
Links:
rvaracingevents.com Register at bikereg.com
Tags:
Cycling Mountain Biking Track Trail

Throat Punch Thursday

MTB Short Track (XCC) Training Races

Late Summer Series

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Powered by RVA Racing | USAC Sanctioned | National Points Qualifier

EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE!

Race Nights

August 13 • August 20 • August 27

Heats start at 6:00 PM sharp. Know your category start time. Don’t roll up late unless you like watching from the sidelines.

Dogwood Dell - Barker Field: 1300 Blanton Ave, Richmond, VA 23221 (Google Maps)

The Rules - Pay Attention.

  • MTBs only!

  • This is USA Cycling Sanctioned MTB Race - USAC XCC format and rules apply.

  • Keep your Bib Plate. Bib plates are issued for the series.

  • Check in. Starts at 5:30. ALL racers MUST check in before each race – each day.

  • Registration closes at NOON on race day

  • NO WALK-ON REGISTRATIONS

Start Times - NEW - Ladies ONLY field!

  • 5:50 PM – Fight Club (17-20 mins / ~5-6 laps)

  • Intermediate Men

  • Masters Men (50+)

  • 6:20 PM – Welterweights (17-20 mins / ~4-6 laps)

  • Intermediate Boys (U19)

  • Beginner Men/Boys (U16)

  • 6:50 PM – Bareknuckle Brawlers (20-22 mins / ~6-7 laps)

  • Expert Men & Boys (U23)

  • Can turn into a “tap-out” or “last-man-standing” race

  • 7:20 PM – Knuckle Bunnies (17-20 mins / ~3-6 laps)

  • ALL Women’s & Girls categories

  • Beginner, Intermediate, Expert, & Masters

Race Format:

  • The TPT races are held on a course of .50 - .75 miles in lap distance with 60 - 75 feet of elevation gain each lap.

  • Riders can initiate laps up until clock hits 00:00.

  • Lap counts are estimated based on first lap time.

  • Podiums based on most laps, lowest time.

  • Riders will cover around 4-6 laps during the 17-22-minute duration of their heat.

  • USAC points are scored for EACH race.

The Course.

  • We are NOT racing on the Dogwood trails.

  • Each week's course is a custom, hand-built track right by the pavilion next to Barker Field.

  • This course is VERY spectator friendly - bring the crew and your best heckle game.

  • And yes - it changes every week to keep it spicy. Stay sharp.

Course Drops.

  • We design each course the week of the race.

  • Registered racers will receive course drops via email.

The Vibe:

Expect elbows-out racing. Bring your lungs, bring your legs, and maybe bring an ice pack for that ego (short track has a way of finding you).

It’s fast. It’s ridiculous. It’s fun.

A USA Cycling (USAC) License is NOT REQUIRED to race …

  • No day license required to race

  • Results ranked by place for all racers in category.

  • Annual license holders ranked in order of finish for reporting (see below).

USAC Sanctioning and Points:

  • ONLY USAC annual license holders will receive points!

  • Annual license holders ranked in order of finish for reporting.

  • Forget to enter your USAC ID at regsistration = NO POINTS.

  • ALL 3 races are USAC qualifying opportunities for Nationals.

  • ALL 3 races allow you to earn USAC points for Nationals.

Timing.

The TPT is electronically timed. Your bib plate is your RFID timing chip and should be mounted securely to your bars (top of plate) and the bottom of the plate should be mounted to cables, or in a way that makes the number clearly visible from the front of the bike.

If you bend the plate, try to make it aero, don’t have it secured properly, or alter it in any way, we will NOT get a read. And that will mean all your hard work was for nuthin’ – so please don’t. Come find us if you have any questions on race day. Well also be checking on you.

Other.

Volunteers - We REALLY need volunteers to make this event happen and start on time.

  • 5:00 PM (or sooner): we start marking the course

  • 7:45 PM: course teardown

  • Please email [email protected] if you can help or show up on race day.

RVA Racing brings you bike racing, built by bike racers - We're grassroots, but professionally savage.

READY TO GET PUNCHED?

REGISTER NOW for Throat Punch Thursday STXC

@rva_racing | #ThroatPunchThursday | #SmellyPandaXCC | #RVARacingEvents

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