Saturday, October 4, 2025, the New River Gorge Wilds Trail Run returns for a third annual edition at ACE Adventure Resort in Oak Hill, WV. This fall festival offers three race distances—Marathon, Half Marathon, and 5K—all winding through dramatic terrain inside New River Gorge National Park.
🌄 Race Experience & Course Highlights
All distances begin at 8:00 AM EDT. Runners drop nearly 600 ft into Arbuckle Canyon, traverse rocky creek crossings, climb through the abandoned coal town of Wee‑Win, and scale ascent via Eagle’s Eye Trail before reaching the mid‑course Concho Overlook. The Half Marathon finishes shortly thereafter (2040 ft elevation gain), while the Marathon continues beyond mile 13 on a scenic loop with ridge-top views lasting 26.2 miles (2100 ft net gain).
The trail includes single- and double-track forest runs, service roads, and minimal pavement—mostly shaded and lightly technical. The 5K route splits around mile 2 onto Erskine Trail before rejoining and climbing to Concho Overlook. Water stations and restrooms are strategically placed, and runners must bring reusable bottles (cupless format).
Post-race, enjoy free camping, a burrito buffet, live music at The Lost Paddle, and over $1,000 in cash and awards for top finishers. Sign up by August 31 to guarantee your race shirt.
The New River Gorge Wilds Trail Run combines rugged Appalachian trail running with well‑run festival energy—perfect for destination trail runners chasing elevation, immersive scenery, and community spirit. With small fields, generous race perks, and a dramatic Gorge setting, it represents one of West Virginia’s most adventurous fall events.
