News/Updates
Early bird pricing through January. (updated) Register by April 3rd to receive shirt on race day. There may be a few extra on race day on a first-come basis. Extra shirts from last year may also be available.
Event updates will be posted to our social media: EHQ Events as well as emailed to registrants. Be sure to follow for regular course previews!
Course Description
Test your endurance at the EHQ Valley Falls 6 & 12 Hour race! With 750' of vertical gain per ~5.25 mile loop it's not an easy course!
Gravel service roads, single track trails, streams, rocky climbs, rolling trails, and of course the beautiful falls - this beautiful West Virginia state forest has a bit of everything!
Trail will be very clearly marked.
Course runs clockwise again for 2023! (was counterclockwise for 2022)
(2023 clockwise course video)
Elevation profile (clockwise - odd years)
Elevation profile (counterclockwise - even years
Facilities
The park has one restroom (male and female sides) with running water. There are no showers on site, but there may be a water hose available. A porta potty will also be available.
Valley Falls closes at night and camping is not permitted. No canopy sites will be reserved. A Valley Falls aerial view will be posted soon to help you plan ahead where you want to set up.
Aid Stations
Two fully stocked aid stations will be available at the start/finish and the halfway point. Hydration will be electrolytes, water, and soda. Food will be a variety of usual ultra running fare including vegan goodies. Salt caps will be available at both locations.
Runners should carry their own cups/handhelds/pack. Disposable cups will be available in limited quantities.
Aid stations will be as touchless as possible. Runner safety is top priority.
Personal Aid Stations
Runners are permitted and encouraged to set up their own personal aid stations such as a canopy to rest and recover throughout the day. Crews are permitted.
When setting up your aid station be considerate of other park visitors. We have permission to use the trails, but have not "rented" the entire state park.
Do not set up a canopy in the gravel parking lot areas.
Additional details will be provided closer to the event date.
Race Rules
Race starts at 7AM and the clock stops at 7PM. Only full laps will count towards your total distance.
Poles are permitted.
Pacers are permitted.
Pets are not permitted for safety.
Trail shoes are highly recommended. Some uphill climbs can get muddy.
Cyclists and hikers may also be on the trails and there is plenty of single track. Be kind and share the trails!
Runners must stay on the park trails, even if it gets muddy! Do not make your own trails around mud.
Always Leave No Trace
WV State Parks prohibit alcohol.
6/12 Hour Awards/Swag
Top 3 Male/Female Custom, locally-made unique awards.
Participation memento (cup for 2024). One lap or twelve, everyone gets a custom memento.
Participant shirt Designed by local artists
Suicide Pace award 6 Hour M/F and 12 Hour M/F Fastest lap award! Highly discouraged to try for this and likely coincides with poor later day performance. Sure you blew up and had to quit early, but you earned this award! 😁
26.2mi/50K/50mi/100K mementos You paid for 12 hours of suffering, but even if you came to run your first marathon, 50K, etc. we'll send you home with something to commemorate your awesomeness.
Photos images/videos of the event will be free and posted quickly after the race.
**SWAG Deadlines** (updated) Register by 4/5 to receive shirt on race day. Extra shirts may be available on race day.
Awards 2024
Distance Memento Decals 2021
Shirts 2021 (Black and white for 2024)
Driving Directions
Valley Falls State Park, 720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554
35 minutes from both Fairmont and Bridgeport
Lodging
This region has many options for hotels including Fairmont, Grafton, and Bridgeport.
A great option is to book lodging at Tygart Lake State Park roughly 30 minutes away: https://wvstateparks.com/park/tygart-lake-state-park
Great news! Tygart Lake has offered a discounted rate for our runners! Phone 304-265-6144 (ext. 0) for booking (not online) and mention the event.
Just a few minutes from Valley Falls, Camapra has many bunks and campsites available. Showers are available for both tent campers and indoor!
Use Airbnb to book indoor: LINK
Use TheDyrt.com for outdoor campsites: LINK
Lunch
Midday food will be provided. Food TBD, but likely pizza!
Charity
All EHQ Events will having a benefiting charity. The chosen charity for EHQ Valley Falls 12 Hour is The Innocent Lives Foundation! https://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org
(From the website)The Innocent Lives Foundation started with the desire to make a positive impact on behalf of children. Our Founder, Chris Hadnagy, in connection with work that he was doing for his company Social-Engineer, LLC, had the opportunity to work on a few cases that helped track and capture predators who trafficked and exploited children. Some of these cases hit him very hard. He saw the impact that these crimes had on innocent people, and he wanted to do something about it.
EHQ owner, Mark Sutyak, is a software and security professional and a regular listener to the Social-Engineer podcast as well as attending security conferences. This is where Mark learned of this organization some years ago. We're extremely excited to be able to raise funds for such an amazing cause!!
Liability Waiver
In consideration of you accepting this entry, I, the participant, intending to be legally bound and hereby waive or release any and all right and claims for damages or injuries that I may have against the Event Director, UltraSignUp.com, Endurance Headquarters LLC (dba EHQ Events), our hosting location, and other agents assisting with the event, sponsors and their representatives and employees for any and all injuries to me or my personal property. This release includes all injuries and/or damages suffered by me before, during or after the event. I recognize, intend, and understand that this release is binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, or assignees.
I certify as a material condition to my being permitted to enter this race that I am physically fit and sufficiently trained for the completion of this event and that my physical condition has been verified by a licensed Medical Doctor. By submitting this entry, I acknowledge (or a parent or adult guardian for all children under 18 years) having read and agreed to the above waiver.
COVID-19 SECTION: I certify to the best of my knowledge that I do not have COVID-19, have not been in contact with anyone recently with COVID-19, am not currently running a fever or feeling ill whatsoever. I also certify that I have researched any quarantine requirements for out-of-state visitations. I agree to follow ALL safety protocols put in place by the race director and local health department.
Refund/Transfers/Deferrals Policy
Entrants are eligible for a 50% refund until 30 days prior to the event. Assume 50% of the entry fee is a donation to ILF.
Transfers and deferrals are eligible until 5 days prior to the event by contacting endurehq@gmail.com. Name, gender, birth date, and email address will be required for a transfer.
Event's current local time: 6:17 AM ET
