Sandman Extreme Half Marathon

That’s what the race has in store for the runners who show up for this half marathon, which takes runners from the downtown area of this town set in southwestern Virginia’s Blue Ridge Highlands, just south of Jefferson National Forest and the 5,600-acre Beartown Wilderness area, which lies just to the north of town.

Sponsored by the Wythe County Public Schools Foundation for Excellence, the race takes runners on an out-and-back course that starts and finishes at the corner of Spring Street and 4th Street in Wytheville and takes them into the nearby Big Survey Wilderness Area, and reaches its highest point with an ascent up Sand Mountain, whose peak lies at about 3,684 feet above sea level, just a few miles south of town.

Organizers describe the race route as “challenging,” so runners will need to be ready for both cold winter weather and some steep climbs in elevation. From the starting line, the course winds its way into the wilderness area along Clay Street, Church Street and Whipporwill Road before heading onto State Route 640, a roughly 4 1/2-mile climb that brings runners near the top of Sand Mountain, to an elevation of about 3,100 feet.

Once there, runners hit the turnaround and then begin a long, gradual descent for nearly the next five miles, as they wind their way along State Route 720, Atkins Mill Road and 4th Street before heading back into town for the race finish. Runners can expect a combination of both paved and gravel roads — paved roads in and closer to town, and gravel roads for the ascent up Sand Mountain.

Runners interested in taking part in the race are encouraged to sign up early, as the event is limited to 100 entrants. There’s also a shorter, 9-mile version of the run for those interested in a still-challenging but gentler race, and the event begins at 9:00 AM.