The Skyline Challenge

Age Group Categories & Awards

Awards will be given to: the top three overall male and female runners for each event; as well as, the top three overall masters male and female; and the top three overall male and female runners in each age group: 12-15, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65 and over. Each registered participant for the 30k and 60k Ultra will receive a finisher's medal and a secret prize when they cross the finish line.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Location of the event is at: 

Northern Virginia 4-H Educational Center:

600 4H Center Drive

Front Royal, VA 22630

Location of the start and finish is at the main entrance of the 4-H Educational Center.  The start and finish is also the location of:

1. Race day registration
2. Runner's packet pick up.
3. Post-Race party
4. Awards and door prizes
5. Portable toilets and bathrooms
6. Family picnic areas

• Aid stations are every three miles around the course. The first aid station is located at the trail intersection of Hickerson Hollow trail and the Skyline Drive road located just past mile marker #9 on the Skyline Drive.  The Second aid station is located at the trail head entrance of the Compton Gap Trail at the turn around near Blue Ridge Mtn. Estates. The third aid station is located by the entrance of the 4-H educational Center. This aid station will also act as a drop bag location if needed for all 30k and 60k trail runners.  All aid stations will include:
• Hammer Nutrition Endurance Gels and Endurance products, Water, Sodas ect.
• General first aid items
• Power Gels
• Salt Tablets
• Candy and goodies
• Basically everything you would wish and would hope to see at an aid station! (if you have strange tastes please drop the race director your personal requests and we will see what we can do!)

• Race Day Check In: Please be at the start no later than 5:15am for the 30k & 60k runners and 7:00am for the 5k and 15k runners. We have a lot to take care of. We will be registering over 500 runners. Kyle Running Co. will be running the Timing Services and ChampionChip timing. Please also have your check or cash ready to give to the volunteers at the start.
• Drop Bags: We will have bags and magic markers so that runners can have us stage a bag at Aid Station #3. This only applies to the 30k and 60k Trail runners.  
• Family and Friends can hang out and enjoy the day at the 4-H center, or if they want to see you on the course the best places are at aid stations two and three.  There is some limited parking at both areas. Aid station #3 has enough room for anyone and everyone, and they would be able to see you two to three times while passing through this area.

Instructions for Runners

We want everyone to be safe, have fun, and finish. Here are some guidelines that will be helpful to make your race day all that you want it to be!

• Bib numbers should be pinned on the front of the shirts.
• Bib numbers are transferable but only if cordination has been made with the race director.
• Bib number and timing chip should be checked during check-in before the race starts.
• ChampianChip should be properly secured to the shoe. If it is not returned, you will be charged a fee of $10.00 to cover replacement.
• Littering: No littering of any kind. This especially means throwing paper cups on the ground but also includes littering of any kind-at all- anywhere. Aide station volunteers are not here to pick up runner’s trash. There will be trash bags at each aide station for runners to use. Remember that this race is different than most road or cross country races.
• Safety: Be extremely safe. The number one goal of the race is for everyone to be safe. There will be first aide at the aide stations and finish line. A safety plan has been developed and will be in force. In addition, a network of cell phone coverage is provided so that volunteers and runners can use the 911 system if needed. Warren County EMS and Fire and Rescue are on notice and will be monitoring the race. However, for all of this to work everyone must cooperate.
• Road Crossings: Although there is not but one road crossing for the trail runners to get to the first aid station, runners must take great caution in crossing all roads, all of which will be open to traffic during the race. Volunteers will assist runners in crossing the road but will not be stopping traffic. They might be stopping runners. Please cooperate with this.
• Runner Accountability: Although it would be nearly impossible to get lost on this course. (if you do, you have no business ever running trails again!), there is a 100% runner accountability system in place. The trail sweeping group and designated aide stations will reconcile the entire roster of runners at several checkpoints along the course. This will ensure that we know where all runners are during the race. If we think you are lost that means a group of us will start to look for you. If you need to drop, you must let the aide station volunteers know.  Helping other runners: If a runner encounters another runner that needs aide, he or she is expected to stop and render assistance as needed. You may need to determine if immediate help is needed and leave the runner until the next runner comes along or you may need to stay until another runner comes along and then go and get additional help. Runners needing help must go to the NEAREST aide station.
• There is no mandatory Water Bottle Rule:  With aid and water every three miles, water bottles are not required but if you are a slow runner, or if the temperature is high it is strongly recommended.
• Working with the Volunteers: Follow the directions of the volunteers. Most are runners. Some are your friends. Quite a few are trail volunteers who helped build and constantly maintain the trail we are getting to use. Some are park staff and rangers. All are there to help you have a good time.
• Other Trail Users: Be very sensitive to other trail uses. The trail is not closed for the race. Runners might encounter dogs, bikers, hikers, sometimes horses, kids, photographers, and various other trail users. Please remember that we are guests. Please share the trail and be courteous. A nice ‘good morning’ to the trail users would not hurt our cause.
• Cut Offs: The cut off is 12 hours from the time of the 60k Ultra start. Runners must abide by the cut offs and by the trail sweeper’s directions.