Buchanan Tri

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.

WHO: All are invited. Ages 1 to 101! All abilities welcome, 4 minute through 15 minute milers, fast or slow sprinters.

WHAT: Track Races as shown below. With exception of 1 and 2 mile, distances are in meters. Age Group ribbons for awards. Cost for runners is just one dollar per evening. (LRRC Race Series 5,000K (3.1Miles) on June 10th is $5).

WHEN:

JUNE 2 (Tuesday): 1500m (6:30 pm - 7:00 pm); Open 100m (7:10pm); Age Groups 100m (7:15-7:45 pm); 800m (7:45-8:00 pm)

JUNE 9 (Tuesday): 100m (Kid’s 4 and Under) 6:30pm; Age Groups 200m (6:35 – 6:50 pm); Open 200m (7:00 pm): LRRC Race Series 5,000m Heat 1 – 7:20 pm (30 minutes and over); Heat 2 – 8:00 pm (23 to 30 minutes); Heat 3 - 8:35 pm (19 to 23 minutes); Heat 4 – 9:00 pm (under 19 minutes)

JUNE 16 (Tuesday): Age Groups 100 m (6:30-6:55 pm); Open 100m (7:00); 2 Mile (7:05 pm-7:45 pm); 400 m (8:00 - 8:15 pm)

JUNE 23 (Tuesday) 1 Mile (6:30 pm-7:00 pm); 100m (Kid’s 4 and Under) 7:10 pm; Open 200m (7:15); Age Groups 200 m (7:20-7:45 pm); 800 m (7:45-8:00 pm)

June 30 (Tuesday) Makeup Date in Case of Cancellation

WHERE: University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College) Track

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!

This fun event has something for everyone! The USATF certified course begins and ends at the Intervale Trail Head of The Jackson River Scenic Trail in Covington, Virginia. The trail follows an old railroad bed of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. The course has a smooth crushed gravel surface and is mostly flat with some light hills. The trail follows its namesake river, winding it's way through small communities, cultivated fields, and small patches of woodland. It isn't uncommon to see wildlife along the way.

WEATHER

This is a rain or shine event. In the case of severely inclement weather, announcements regarding the race status will be made on the website (www.jacksonrivermarathon.com), on Facebook and via local media. If there is sufficient advanced notice of a severe weather event, notices will also be sent via the email submitted with your registration.

AWARDS

All finishers receive a commemorative finisher's medal.

Unique awards will be given to the overall top 3 overall male and female finishers of the marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K races.

The top three male and female finishers in each age group of each race will receive a certificate of accomplishment. Our age groups are: 12 & under; 13-18; 19-29; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69, and 70+.

The awards ceremony will be at the Intervale Trail Head 30 minutes following the completion of each distance (5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathon) by the top 3 males and females for that particular race. It is understood that this means some participants may still be on the course while others are receiving awards but we want to avoid holding people overly long before handing out awards.

Please note that awards will NOT be mailed so please attend the ceremony for your race!

At the Intervale Finish Line:

Local businesses will be providing refreshments, food, and experiences on the Jackson River & Trail from 6am-12noon at the finish line. Hang out after your finish and enjoy tubing brought to you by Alleghany Outdoors (15% discount for runners), food trucks, shoe size measurements by Fleet Feet, and alcohol and beverages sold by the Alleghany Highlands Trails Alliance! More information on vendors to come soon!

*Register by May 13, 2026 if you want a T-shirt!!! After that date there is no guarantee that a shirt will be available for you on the day of the race.

Packet Pick-up will be from noon-8pm at the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce & Tourism on Friday, June 12th. On-site packet pickup the day of the race will be available starting at 6:30am on Saturday, June 13th.

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!