Active Southern West Virginia is set to present the first ever running event across the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayetteville. The Active SWV Bridge Day 5K, benefiting Active SWV Kids Running Clubs, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15.
Participants will begin on the north side with a police escort across the bridge in a closed lane. Racers will exit the event onto open town streets, lap around the Fayetteville Town Park, and finish beside the Historic Fayette County Courthouse.
Bridge Day, West Virginia’s largest one day festival, attracts over 50,000 visitors to experience walking across the closed bridge 876 feet above the river, the region’s best vendors, and spectate the base jumpers, sky divers, and rappellers.
Registration is limited to 200 racers with no walkers permitted this year. Registration includes:
• morning shuttle from Fayetteville High School to the start line on the north side of the bridge
• chip timing
• water station at mile 2
• performance wear shirt
• finisher medals
• top finisher medals
Morning Shuttle: You cannot drive across the New River Gorge Bridge between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Oct. 15. Event registration includes a one way shuttle from the Fayetteville High School parking lot at 8:15 a.m. across the bridge to the start line. The bus will drop racers off who will then enter through the security gate, see restrictions here, to gather at the start line.
Chip Timing: Provided by Appalachian Timing Group, each racer will be issued a chip number in the parking lot starting at 7 a.m. Chip numbers must be picked up with proper ID prior to 8 a.m. Racers must wear their chip number on the front of their shirts.
Water Station at mile 2: Volunteers will be positioned at the Fayetteville Town Park where you can access water as you enter and as you exit the park loop.
Finisher Trophies: Due to the limited number of racers, there will be top finishers in men’s and women’s. Overall male and female winners of the race and then 1st place in the following age groups:0-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ for male and female.
Local art pieces will be awarded directly after the race on a stage in front of the Fayette County Court House.
After race options: Everyone will need to refuel after competing in West Virginia’s first bridge run. Participants are encouraged to explore Fayetteville’s award winning restaurants and return to the Bridge Day event for food vendors. The annual Bridge Day Chili Cookoff begins at the finish line at 3 p.m.
Shuttle services are available throughout the day and included in race entry. Additional family and friends using shuttle can expect to pay $2 per person. The green “Fayetteville Route” will continually run throughout the day to get you from the high school, the finish line, and south side bridge entrance.
A bicycle valet service will be provided by Active SWV Bike/Walk at the north and south side of the bridge for attendees to access the event. We encourage everyone to spend the afternoon exploring downtown Fayetteville and return to the Bridge Day event.
Frequently Asked Questions:
• Event restrictions: no dogs, bikes, or backpacks allowed on the bridge. There is a security check point at either end of the bridge.
• You can transfer your race registration to another person up to 48 hours before the event. No refunds if you cannot attend.
• It is acceptable to pick up a friend’s race number prior to the event if you have proof of his/her identification. You do not have to use the shuttle, but you do have to be at the start line by 9 a.m.
For additional questions email info@activeswv.com.
New River Gorge Bridge will play host to first ever Bridge Day 5K on Oct. 15
