Get ready for the 2025 edition of the Shenandoah Epic 24-Hour Adventure Race! Hosted by Adventure Enablers, this thrilling event returns for its 14th year in the stunning landscapes of the Shenandoah Valley, kicking off on April 12, 2025. Whether you're a seasoned racer or new to the AR scene, registration is now open, so don't miss your chance to secure a spot.

As one of the longest-running 24-hour adventure races on the East Coast, the Shenandoah Epic draws in 300 participants annually and always sells out fast. Racers will face an exhilarating mix of trekking, biking, paddling, and navigating through the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley and the rugged Massanutten Mountain Range.

True to its name, the 2025 race promises an exciting twist. This year, the course will stay open for 30 hours, giving mid- and back-of-the-pack teams the chance to fully experience the journey. While the winning teams are expected to finish within 24 hours, the extended timeline offers an adventure aligned with European and Oceania race styles, giving all participants the opportunity to explore the entire course.

With its reputation as a must-do event, the Shenandoah Epic 2025 is expected to sell out once again. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this journey—register early and then start preparing for the physical and personal growth that comes built-in with this Epic adventure!

Race HQ/Start/Finish: 

• Downriver Canoe Company

• 884 Indian Hollow Road

• Bentonville, VA 22610

• Soloist

• Two-person team

• Three-person team

• Four-person team

We are finalizing the design of the course, but you can expect:

• 25 miles of river paddling

• 25-35 miles of trekking

• 50-60 miles of mountain biking

• Super early registration $285.00 per team member & $310 for soloists until October 31, 2024.

• Early registration $310 per team member & $335 for soloists until December 31, 2024.

• Regular registration $335 per team member & $360 for soloists until February 28, 2025.

• Late registration $360.00 per team member & $385 for soloists until close at midnight on April 4, 2025.

An $8 race day fee (or proof of USARA membership) is required by USARA and can be purchased during registration. If you are purchasing 1-day membership, choose April 12, 2025, as the start date for your membership.

Registration platform fees also apply.

Friday, April 11, 2025
Location TBD
4:00 pm-8:00 pm: Packet pickup, map distribution, and bike drop.

Saturday, April 12, 2025
Downriver Canoe Company
884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610
6:00 am-7:45 am: Transition setup
8:00 am: Race Start

Sunday, April 13, 2025
Downriver Canoe Company
884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610
11:30 am: Post-race food and awards ceremony
2:00 pm: Course closes

Location: TBD
Friday, April 11, 2025
4:00 pm-8:00 pm: Packet pickup 
or
884 Indian Hollow Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610
Saturday, April 12, 2025
7:00 am - 7:30 am

To make sure your zen and chi are intact on race day, we highly recommend packet pickup on Friday night.

During packet pickup, you will receive race numbers and SWAG. USARA fees of $8 for a one-day race membership, $35 for a yearly membership, or proof of USARA member

Supplied Gear

Canoes, paddles, PFDs, race maps, race passport, ePunch, GPS Tracker, rules of travel.  

Mandatory Gear

Mandatory gear will not be checked during check-in. Random checks on gear will be performed during the race. Penalty points will be assessed for any missing items. These items are not all-inclusive of items you will need to complete the race. You will be out in the elements for up to 24-hours. Bring other equipment as appropriate to get through the event. Final gear list will be published in the Racer Guide.

At all times during the race each racer must have in their possession the following equipment unless otherwise stated in the rules of travel:

• Pack to carry gear

• Enough food for replenishment

• Hydration system (hydration pack, water bottle, etc. with capacity to carry at least 2 liters)

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Whistle

• Knife with a minimum 2.5-inch blade

• Emergency blanket or bag

• 1 long-sleeve wool blend or other type of insulated top (no cotton)

• Fleece/wool hat/buff

• Waterproof jacket

• Closed-toe shoes must be worn during the entire race (no bare feet or open-toe sandals)

  While biking each racer additionally must have:

• Bike

• Helmet (CPSC, ANSI, or SNELL certified)

• Rear light (must be capable of blinking)

• A front light with enough battery power to last 12 hours.

  While paddling each racer additionally must have:

• PFD Class III non-inflatable (provided by Adventure Enablers)

  Per team:

• ePunch (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• GPS tracker ((Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Race maps (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Rules of Travel (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• General Race Rules (Provided by Adventure Enablers)

• Compass

• Lighter

• Fully charged cell phone in a watertight bag

• Dry bag or method of keeping equipment dry in the event of bad weather and during the canoe section

• Bike tool kit and at least one spare bike tube

• Emergency First Aid kit – Teams may use the Adventure Medical Kit Ultralight 0.7 or build their own kit as long as the kit contains the following listed required contents. (8) 2x2 or 3x3 sterile dressing, (2) 3x4 non adherent sterile dressing, (1) conforming gauze bandage, (4) 1x3 adhesive bandage, (3) knuckle adhesive bandage, (1) tape ½”x 10 yards, (1) swift wrap elastic bandage, (8) 200-mg ibuprofen, (2) antihistamine (Diphenhydramine), (2) afterbite sting relief, (1) moleskin, (5) towelettes, (3) antibiotic ointment, (1) tincture of benzoin, (3) butterfly closure bandage, (2) pair nitrile gloves, (1) tweezer,(3) safety pins, (1) duct tape.

Boats will be provided. Two-person and three-person teams will get one canoe. Four-person teams will get two canoes. Soloists will get a kayak. Canoes will come with single-blade paddles. Kayaks will come with double-bladed paddles. PFDs will also be supplied. No outside canoes or kayaks are permitted. Outside paddles and PFDs are permitted. Canoes, paddles, and PFDs will be located at the canoe put in. You will not need to portage the canoe for any great distance, and you will not need to carry paddles or PFDs when you are not on the paddle section. If you bring your own PFD and paddle you will not need to transport them. Personal PFDs must be class III (non-inflatable).

Any style of bike is permitted. Racers must use the same bike throughout the entire race. In the event of mechanical failures, replacement parts can be used but they must be provided by the team, other racers, or an event official. No outside assistance is allowed. Bikes will not be checked for mechanical worthiness, but we recommend your bike be in good working order. The course contains a mix of gravel road, smooth single track, technical single track, and hike-a-bike.  Choose your ride wisely. Front suspension is highly recommended. Full suspension will be quite nice to have. No eBikes.

There will be multiple transition locations along the course. Logistics and transition staging will be released closer to the race date.

Maps will be at scales 1:24,000 with UTM grid markings along the edge of the map. Maps will be on waterproof paper. All points will be pre-plotted. Maps will be distributed at packet pickup on April 11. You will be required to navigate using various types of maps. Map and compass skills are necessary to locate most of the checkpoints. No GPS units are allowed. Teams will receive two sets of maps. Solos will receive one set of maps. Maps are 11x17 double sided. Navigate to: https://bit.ly/3ARl02S for previoius years maps as a sample.

• Main race rules are governed by the most current version of the ARWS Rules of Competition. These are supliimented by the  General Race Rules and the final Rules of Travel distributed on race weekend.

Who's your competition? 

Click here for current team roster

The heart of a great event is its volunteers. If you have a passion for helping out and are interested in volunteering, we'd love to have you join the fun!  Volunteer signup will be available closer to the race date.

We're providing live tracking for the Shenandoah Epic. Follow your faves the entire 24-hours.  Also, with SportIdent ePunch timing, you will get results as soon as you crawl across the finish line. Post-race, pore over your split times for at least a week.

Prizes will go to the top 3 finishers in each division.

• Solo Male & Female

• 2 Person Male, Female, & Coed

• 3 Person Male, Female, & Coed

• 4 Person Male, Female, & Coed

• Special cash awards for KOM times in each division.

Looking for things to do or a place to eat while you or your fans are in town? Check out our handy-dandy guide to our hometown!  

Lodging:

Skyline Ranch Resort is the host location and has varioius lodging options.  We have secured special rates and have cabins and condos blocked out for participants to reserve through November 15th. After that, they will be open to the general public to rent.

Options are:

Cabins $80 per night plus tax (accomadates 4 people)

Chalets $150 per night plus tax (accomadates 6 people)

50-amp RV sites $50 per night plus tax

30-amp RV site $40 per night plus tax

Tent Camping $20 per night plus tax per tent

Please call Skyline Ranch Resort directly to make a reservation at 540-635-4169.

You can also check out Shenandoah River State Park for cabins, campsites, and RV hookups. A most excellent park to race and stay in.

Address: 350 Daughter of Stars Dr, Bentonville, VA 22610

Phone: (540) 622-6840

Low Water Bridge Campground is about 4 miles from the race start. Lots of racers have stayed here over the years.

Address: 192 Panhandle Rd, Bentonville, VA 22610

Phone: (540) 635-7277

A post race breakfast will be served to help you refuel after your 24-hours in the woods.

We'll have a professional photographer on the course trying to catch you wincing, smiling with mud on your teeth, or trying to read a map folded to the size of a postage stamp.

2024 race photos can be found here

2023 race photos can be found here.

2022 race photos can be found here.

All racers will be required to purchase a race-day USARA membership for $8.00, already have a valid USARA membership, or purchase a 1-year membership ($35) at the time of registrtaion. For one day memberships, select the date of registration for you membership start date.

As a USARA-sanctioned event, we adhere to USARA’s anti-doping policies. It is your (the athlete’s) responsibility to uphold the integrity of the competition and reputation of adventure racing as a clean sport through educated use of supplements, medicines, and other treatments and to understand what is permissible according to USARA standards. Even more important than contributing to a level playing field for all competitors, it is critical that you understand the long-term health issues that stem from improper use of supplements and medications; short-term rewards at the risk of compromising your long-term health are never worth it. We encourage you to spend some time reviewing USARA’s stance on the importance of Ant-Doping, educating yourself through their collection of helpful resources, and understanding the consequences of doping infractions (medicinal, supplemental, or mechanical) by reviewing USARA’s dedicated page to Anti-Doping here.

Click here for information.

We have posted an extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions on the Adventure Enablers web site. Please check this page if you have any questions regarding the race. If you don’t find the answer or need clarification, feel free to email info@adventureenablers.com.

The Shenandoah Epic is part of the following series. You will automatically earn points for each of the series by taking part in the Shenandoah Epic.

United States Adventure Racing Association (USARA)

The USARA National Points Series (NPS) provides an ongoing ranking of teams across the country, based on their race results at USARA-affiliated and USARA-sanctioned events. The calendar of included races is published and updated throughout the season.  

Rankings are computed in three divisions: mixed-3/4; male-3/4; and female-3/4. At the National Championship each year, the top team in each division will be declared the winner of the National Points Series for the previous season.

There is no need to register for the series.  All teams competing in affiliated and sanctioned events are automatically included in the rankings.

Adventure Racing World Series North American Circuit (ARWS)
The Adventure Racing World Series unites in competition the world’s best endurance athletes at the premiere adventure races around the world.
The series includes Qualifier expedition races of 3-10 days leading up to an annual Adventure Racing World Championship, and Regional races of 12-36 hours offering an accessible pathway into adventure racing, and the opportunity to progress to expedition races and the World Championship.
There are currently 64 races in the Adventure Racing World Series, with regional races in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania. All teams taking part are included in the ARWS world and regional rankings.
The first Adventure Racing World Championship took place in 2001 in Switzerland and this year’s World Championship in Canada.  For more information see www.arworldseries.com