Captain Thurmond's Challenge 2026

About the Event

Date: Saturday, June 27th, 2026
Location: 125 North Court Street, Fayetteville, WV 25840

Welcome to the 2026 Captain Thurmond’s Challenge! Discover the ultimate adventure triathlon in the East, where challenge meets excitement. Tackle 16.5 miles of scenic mountain biking, 7 miles of exhilarating Class IV whitewater, and 9 miles of inspiring trail running through the heart of the New River Gorge. Whether you race Solo, share the journey in a Relay, or join a Team with rafts and guides ready to support you, you’ll experience an unforgettable mix of fun, challenge, and adventure. Fayetteville, West Virginia’s original signature adventure triathlon is waiting, are you ready to answer the call?

Race Day Schedule: Friday night (Location TBD) Saturday morning 7am to 9am (Location TBD).
Race Start: 10:00 AM
Race End: 5:00 PM

Gear Transportation Provided: We provide transport for

Mountain bikes (from T1 to town)
Kayaks / canoes (to T1 and from T2 to town)
Rafts
Personal gear bins

Transportation will be done using large moving trucks or similar vehicles.

Important: While volunteers and staff will take great care when loading/unloading, CTC is not liable for damage to high-value bikes or boats. If participants have gear they are especially concerned about, they are strongly encouraged to arrange their own transport. More details about how to tag and stage gear will arrive in a future email.

Shuttle Reservations: Shuttle reservations (for bikes, rafts, and gear transport) will open soon. You’ll receive a detailed email one month out, but please note: All shuttle reservations must be submitted by the end of that weekend, so our team has a full three weeks to plan final logistics.

Spectator-Friendly Points: Your crew, friends, and family can cheer you on at

Start/Finish line in downtown Fayetteville
Kaymoor Miners Trail parking area
Cunard River Access
Fayette Station River Access

water_drop Avg rainfall

3.1 mm

ac_unit Avg snowfall

—

air Avg wind speed

9.2 km/h (Light breeze)

opacity Sweat loss rate

High

terrain Course conditions

Hard and dry surface

sunny Max UV Index

Very High (8.0)

humidity_mid Humidity

72.3%

wb_twilight Sunrise

06:01

nightlight Sunset

20:47

About Fayetteville

Learn more about the host city, Fayetteville.

Fayetteville is a town of 2,754 people in West Virginia, often called "Gateway to the New River Gorge"; it borders the northern end of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It was originally called Vandalia, before it became the seat of Fayette County in 1837 and was incorporated in 1883. Most visitors come to enjoy the scenic views from the New River Gorge Bridge, and the outdoor adventures that are linked to the area: whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, llama treks, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, rappelling, camping and fishing.