Saturday, Apr 10, 2021 @ 7:00 AM
This Event Took Place Sat. Apr 10, 2021

Pictures from 2022

https://jessekokotek.smugmug.com/Races/Freelance-/2022-Down-the-Mountain-Marathon-/

Check out the 2021 Pictures

You can find pictures of the 2021 race at the link below
https://jessekokotek.smugmug.com/Races/Freelance-/2021-Down-the-Mountain-Marathon/

Certified marathon

USATF-Certified Course VA19001MS
Measured by Matthew Studholme

2022 Updates

There may be some changes to the number of water stations, shuttles and packet pick up due to Covid restrictions and volunteer numbers at the time. We will take every precaution to make this event as safe as possible and to follow all the CDC guidelines at the time. Please watch for updates closer to race day.

What to expect on Race Day

Come enjoy us for a very scenic race down the mountain. This course is well known to bikers, hikers, runners, and walkers. If you love the mountains you will love this course. It is mostly gravel and travels along an old railroad bed. It winds through the mountains along a creek and through several little towns.

Timing will be through uptrasignup.com

The trail is well used during the spring, summer, and fall months so we will be sharing the trail with other outdoor lovers. Most people share the trail very well and with the race beginning at 7:00 am traffic on the trail should be a minimum most of the way.
At the finish line you can expect to be greeted with a smile and potentially a fast time. There will be drinks, and food for all participates at the finish. The awards will also be handed out at the finish line within a few minutes of finishing.

Course Description

This is a certified marathon course! VA19001MS

Course:

The course will start at Whitetop station in Jefferson National Forest near mile marker 33.4 and finish near Alvarado mile marker 9.3. Runners will begin at Whitetop station and run down the mountain though Damascus and continue about a half mile miles past Alvarado to the turn-around point and back to the finish line near Alvarado. Alvarado is around 25.2 miles from the starting line at Whitetop. The trail is an old railroad bed that has been converted from a "rails to trails" with a gravel surface and starts at an elevation of 3500 feet and descends to 1755 ft in Alvarado.
Water stations:
Green Cove- mile marker 30.6 (2-3 volunteers)
Camp Creek Junction- mile marker 27.1
*Taylor’s Valley- mile marker 22.9
Straight Branch- mile marker 20.3
*Damascus- mile marker 16
Side of the trail- mile marker 12.5
*Alvarado- mile marker 9.3
* Stations have water, Gatorade, some snacks

Whitetop station, Green Cove, Taylor's Valley, Straight Branch, Damascus, and Alvarado all have outdoor toilets.
No strollers or dogs allowed.

Packet Pickup


Information about shuttle, start, finish, and final details will be sent through email about two weeks before the race. Packet pickup will be at the finish line on Friday April 8th from 5-6pm. Packets not picked up Friday will be at the shuttles the morning of the race.

Start and Finish line

The start and finish line are in two different locations completely.

Start: Whitetop startion- Whitetop Gap Road, Whitetop, VA 24292 (note this is not Whitetop Mountain but the community of Whitetop, VA)

Finish: Alvarado Station-21198 Avarado Road, Abingdon, VA 24211

Because of the unique nature of this race we will be offering a shuttle to runners to the start. If you choice to drive to the start you will need someone to drop you off and meet you at the finish.

Elevation at Whitetop Station is about 3500 ft
Elevation at Alvarado is 1755 ft

Awards

Awards will be given to the top 3 overall finishers for both male and female. Awards will also be given to the winner in each of the following age groups 18-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and up for both male and females. All finishers will receive a finishers ornament/medal (if registered by March 25th).
You must be 18 years old by the day of the race to register.

Shuttles, T-shirts, and finishers awards

Shuttle to the start, t-shirts and finishers award are only guaranteed for entries before March 20th. This year in order to get a shuttle you will be required to sign up ahead of time. More information will be sent in March.

Where is my entry fee going?

Your entry fee will first be used to get insurance, t-shirts, awards, snacks and everything else needed for a great race day. All profit from this event will go to a local high school CC team. One hundred percent of the profit from this race will be donated to local high school CC team(s).

Refunds

With the cost associated with hosting an event such as this we will not be giving refunds. We understand that sometimes things come up and injuries happen, but we have to spend lots of money up front to host this event regardless of who shows up.

Lodging

Great lodging is different for everyone. Some people like nice places to stay, others like being close to the start or finish and others like cheaper rooms. Myself, I prefer all of the above. Since I live here I can't give you much insight on the list below. I do hope you find something that makes you happy. Damascus is between the start and finish line and is known as a great place to visit. However, there may be limited lodging and food in Damascus. Abingdon is a little further, but has more to offer in the way of both lodging and food. Whitetop, is near the start and has a few rental cabins, but is very remote as you are literally on top of the mountain.

Event's current local time: 12:33 AM ET

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