The Skyline Challenge

Welcome to the Skyline Challenge festival of races where your pain is our pleasure! Whatever your abilities are, the Skyline Challenge will challenge and inspire you! Whether you are new to trail racing or a veteran "trail daug" we have a race for you. Just pick your poison!

5k Road race. An out and back road course running through Harmony Hollow in the foothills of the Shenandoah National Park.

Family Fun Run. A ½ mile road race for the children ages 4-11 that will start after the 5k race. 

The Skyline Challenge Trail Series. 15k, 30k, & the Adrenaline Addiction 60K Ultra.

The Best part of the Skyline Challenge is that it is the only trail race ever to be allowed to run in the Skyline Drive National Park! This is a beautiful and inspiring 9.3 mile loop course starting and ending at the 4-H retreat center in Front Royal, VA.  During the peak of the fall colors, come and run on gorgeous well groomed trails that are clearly marked in the Shenandoah National Park. The course goes through Carson Mountain, Fort Windham Rock, Possums Rest Overlook, and the famous Tom Floyd Wayside on the Appalachian Trail.  Trails include Hickerson Hollow, Dickey Ridge and the Appalachian Trail! The views alone are well worth the trip! These events would also make a great marathon training race . More information can be found on the Runner’s Information page as well as, the Course Information page.

Run Today and Enrich a Life Tomorrow!

Not only is this a running event that, in its own right, is an epic adventure, but is also a running event to raise money for foster children of Warren County. Currently, there are over 60 children in foster care right here in Warren Co.  Because of the lack of foster families and proper funding, many are placed in residential facilities and group homes throughout the state.   Family ties and close connections that enrich our daily lives are not something that these children have to look forward to, but instead they only bring back bad memories and feeling of being forsaken and forgotten. There are real children with real needs right here in our backyard.

The reason why we runners do what we do is that we understand that life is not about just surviving but it is all about thriving!  For most of these children, however, surviving is all they are exposed to.  The simple daily things that enrich the lives of young people like Class Rings, running shoes, money for class trips, the list goes on and on… for these children they are told the money is  “not in the budget”.   This sad state of affairs presents to us as a running community with a great opportunity!  The Skyline Challenge, working in partnership with the Warren County Department of Social Services, will see to it that all proceeds from this event will go directly to these children, showing them that their community hasn’t forgotten them and that we really do care! 

Race Director’s Note:

As a runner, marathoner, Ultra-marathoner, a citizen of Warren County, and a father of seven (that’s not a typo-two of my children were adopted through Warren County); I can think of no greater cause for which to run a race!    That’s why I can whole-heartily promise you that running this race will make a real and powerful difference in the lives of Warren Co. children.  I also can promise you a race with distinction. We are not going after large numbers (The Skyline Challenge has a 500 runner limit) but we are devoted to quality in everything we do. As a runner, I have sought to apply everything that I have liked about races that I have run and taken out everything that I did not enjoy. For instance, there will be Champion Chip computer timing, on-line registration, same day race packet pick-up, and high quality endurance microfiber polyester t-shirts from Built On Athletics, and a post race party that is actually worth staying for, just to name a few. In short our goal is to make The Skyline Challenge the best small running event that you have ever been to!  I believe that the purpose for which we are holding this event demands it. There is also a program in which you as a runner can raise additional funds through sponsorships for this noble cause. (See our Show your Support page.)   Any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to contact me personally at 540-660-1402.

Until then Run with Purpose!

James Hinton

Race Director

Phone# 540-660-1402

E-Mail: James@runningwithpurpose.org   

Training for the Race!

If you are interested in training on the race course we will be holding training runs to help prepare new trail runners as well as encourage veterans. Go to Runner's Information page for more details. 

Call Us Today!

If you would like more information on the Skyline Challenge events or are interested in becoming a "Challenge Sponsor" contact us at 540.660.1402 or E-Mail us at Info@theSkylineChallenge.com

Register Today!

On-line Registration will be available through Active.com or you can download a printable registration form. Please see the registration page for more information.  

Show Your Support! 

We are excited about the opportunity to make a real impact upon the forgotten foster children of Front Royal, VA. All proceeds from the race will go directly to meeting real needs in lives! If you are interested in becoming a "Challenge Sponsor"  please  go to the Show your Support page for information on corporate sponsorship, as well as, individual runner sponsorship opportunities!