Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
THE 2020 GATEWAY 50K & 25K HAS BEEN CANCELLED
On 3/15/2020, the CDC changed updated their recommendation that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/large-events/mass-gatherings-ready-for-covid-19.html
GATEWAY 50K & 25K (15 Miler)
It's finally here: An ultra-distance event in Blacksburg, Virginia. Come experience the allure of Jefferson National Forest and Brush Mountain by way of the challenging 50K or the introductory 25K (15 miler).
Runners will enjoy beautiful single track trails, fully-stocked aid stations, and the best post-race atmosphere in SWVA as finishers shuffle across the road from Heritage Park to the finish festival at Rising Silo Brewery to indulge in their hard earned complimentary race beverage (beer, ginger beer, kombucha, or house made fizzy soda) while enjoying live music.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The start and finish of the race will be in Heritage Park near Rising Silo Brewery. Runners of both distances will enjoy a short 0.8 mile paved path through picturesque Heritage Park before beginning the 1.3 mile ascent (700ft) up Brush Mountain via the rugged and unrelenting Gateway Trail. After cresting Brush Mountain, runners immediately begin a 1.1 mile descent down Jacob's Ladder Trail losing all of their hard earned elevation gain. At the bottom of the mountain, runners will cross Poverty Creek before arriving at the first aid station, Jacob's Cantina. After leaving Jacob's Cantina, runners will cross Poverty Creek a second time as they briefly travel along May Apple Trail before turning onto Snake Root Trail to begin their second ascent of Brush Mountain. Runners will travel 1.1 miles along the ridge of Brush Mountain on a FS fire road, reaching the highest point on the course (2900'). Runners will descend off Brush Mountain for a second time via Horse Nettle Trail, a flowy-fast single track descent leading runners to aid station three, situated in the upper lot of the day use parking area of Pandapas Pond. Upon leaving the Upper lot, the course then travels along Poverty Creek Trail until runners return to Jacob's Cantina, the fourth and final aid station for the 25K runners who will ascend Brush Mountain for a third and final time, via Jacob's Ladder Trail, and retrace their steps back to Heritage Park. The 25K (15 miler) boasts 2900' of elevation gain, one foot of gain for every foot of elevation of Brush Mountain.
The 50K and 25K overlap for the first 11 miles with 50K runners continuing along Poverty Creek Trail to Rt 708 and traversing Gap Mountain via Poverty Creek-Trillium-Skullcap-Prickley Pear-Royale Trails. 50K runners will return to the Upper Lot aid station before retracing the first 9 miles of the course in reverse. The 50K will provide runners with the grueling challenge of over 4200' of vertical ascent.
PRICING
50K:
$65 Before March 1
$75 Before April 1
$85 Before May 1
25K:
$45 Before March 1
$50 Before April 1
$55 Before May 1
REFUND POLICY
There are no refunds allowed for any reason including race cancellation. Entry fees collected are used to develop and produce the event, starting well in advance of the race date – including course preparation, race supplies, permits and administration. ECBC Running pledges to make every effort to produce a fair and safe event for all participants. Any decision we make that impacts potential cancellation is carefully considered and based on the overall event safety and manageability.
SWAG
All runners will receive a technical race t-shirt and a complimentary beverage at Rising Silo Brewery redeemable for a beer, kombucha, or house-made fizzy soda. Additionally, as a finisher prize, each runner will receive their choice of locally made apple butter or apple sauce and two car decal stickers (1 - ECBC sticker and 1 - Gateway Race Year sticker).
PACERS & CREW
No pacers are allowed for this event.
Runners with crew may not utilize drop bags. Crew may not run down trail to meet their runner and take their bottle or pack to fill it at the aid station. All crew support must occur within 50 feet of the aid station and must not impede the progress of other runners. Any runner with crew who fail to observe the rules of the event will be subject to disqualification.
AID STATIONS
PARKING
Parking at race start/finish is LIMITED! Please consider carpooling to help reduce the parking demand at Rising Silo Brewery. There are approximately 95 spots on site at Rising Silo. The lower lot at Heritage Park is reserved for race day parking on the day of the race and runners will be directed to the lower lot prior to runners parking at Rising Silo.
COURSE MAPS
50K COURSE MAP
25K COURSE MAP
T-Shirt Deadline
The deadline for a guaranteed technical race t-shirt size is Monday April 8 at midnight. Registrants may not receive their preferred size or a shirt at all if registering close to race date. We will do our best to predict demand but register early to guarantee a shirt.
Event's current local time: 6:24 PM ET
