Thanks to Mead & Hunt for sharing their GIS mapping expertise with us and creating this excellent course map!
For an interactive version, check out our MapMyRun maps for the 15-mile course and 5K course.
15-Mile Course Turn-by-Turn Directions
- Start on Kanawha Boulevard at the West Virginia State Capitol (river-side lanes)
- Straight on Kanawha Boulevard
- Right on Clendenin Street
- Right on Virginia Street
- Right onto the South Side Bridge
- Right onto CSX Ramp/Ferry Street
- Right on Thayer Street
- Left on MacCorkle Avenue
- Left on Route 119 South (Capital Punishment Hill)
- Left on Oakwood Road
- Right on Bridge Road
- Left on Louden Heights
- Right across the South Side Bridge
- Right on Virginia Street East crossing through the Capitol Complex to Washington Street East
- Right on Chesapeake Avenue
- Right on Kanawha Boulevard
- Right on Clendenin Street
- Road turns right, becomes Donnally Street
- Left on Court Street
- Right on Piedmont Road
- Right on Morris Street
- Left onto Hansford Street and through gate onto Laidley Field rubber track
5K Course Turn-by-Turn Directions
- Start on Kanawha Boulevard at the West Virginia State Capitol (Capitol-side lanes)
- Straight on Kanawha Boulevard3. Right on Dunbar Avenue
- Right on Virginia Street East
- Left on Ruffner Avenue crossing the railroad tracks
- Left onto Hansford Street and through gate onto Laidley Field rubber track
Course Information
PARKING
Free parking is available at the West Virginia State Capitol and UC Stadium at Laidley Field. There is no bag check.
START
15-mile runners will start in the river-side lanes of Kanawha Boulevard. 5K runners will start in the Capitol-side lanes of the Boulevard. The starting lines are slightly staggered. 5K walkers and participants pushing baby joggers should line up behind the 5K runners, and all will be started at the same time.
TIMING MATS
Be sure to cross the start mats. If you are on the sidewalks or curbs your timing chip may not be detected and you may not receive an official time. Additional mats will be positioned on the course, which runners must cross. Your race number/timing chip must be worn at all times during the race and when crossing the finish line.
BIBS
You must wear your number on the front so it is visible at all check points and the finish line. You must pass each checkpoint along the course; failure to pass a checkpoint or any deviation from the official course will result in your disqualification.
COURSE
The course is marked with directional arrows with the race logo painted on the road. Please review the course map; it is the runner’s responsibility to know the course. Runners who fail to complete the prescribed course will be disqualified.
TRAFFIC
All runners should be alert for automobiles while on the race course. Even with our best efforts, our volunteers cannot always prevent automobiles from occasionally entering the race course. Traffic control on the race course may not remain in place for runners who are running the course at pace slower than 16:00 per mile. Runners who at any point on the course are past the 16:00 per mile average must exercise caution and be aware that traffic control may no longer be in place. These runners must move to sidewalks and continue at their own risk.
TIME LIMIT
There is a 4:00:00 time limit for the 15-mile race. This equates to an average pace of 16:00 per mile in the 15-mile race. The finish line will begin closing down at 11:30 a.m.
AID STATIONS
Water and/or sports drink will be available at 15 aid stations throughout the courses and at the finish line. A medical aid station will be located at the finish line.
TOILETS
Portable toilets will be available at the following locations
- California Avenue side of Capitol at start
- Kanawha Boulevard at South Side Bridge
- Overbrook Elementary on Oakwood Road
- Intersection of Dunbar and Virginia Streets
- Intersection of Greenbrier and Virginia Streets
- Intersection of Hansford and Morris Streets
RELAY EXCHANGE
The exchanges take place in the middle of the South Side Bridge. Participants must arrange their own transportation to and from the exchange point (or walk/run the short distance). The splits for the relay are 3, 5, and 7 miles. The first and last legs are virtually flat, and the middle goes through the hills.
STROLLERS & PETS
Baby strollers/joggers are allowed in the 5K race, but not the 15-mile race. We ask that they line up in the rear of the 5K group at the start for safety reasons.
Pets are not permitted in either the 5K or 15-mile races or at Laidley Field due to insurance coverage. No wheels other than wheelchairs, hand cycles, or baby joggers are permitted.
HEADPHONES
The use of personal listening devices with headphones or ear buds is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. We ask that you please remember that you are sharing the roads with other participants and, in some cases, vehicular traffic. Always be aware of your surroundings.
FINISH
The race will enter Laidley Field from Hansford Street and finish on the rubber track. As you cross the finish line your time and place of finish are electronically recorded. Please respect other finishers and volunteers and do not crowd the finish area. Should you need medical assistance, you will be helped to the medical area.
POST-RACE
Water, refreshments, and pizza will be available to all finishers. Showers will be available at Laidley Field until 11:00 a.m.
MEDALS
All finishers of the 15-mile race, the 15-mile relay, 5K run/walk will receive a finisher’s medal at the finish line. The relay finisher will receive three medals at the finish with the expectation that the finisher will give medals to the other relay team members. Unclaimed finisher medals will not be mailed after the race.
AWARDS
All awards are based on chip time, not gun time. All cash award checks will be mailed within three weeks. Trophies/non-monetary awards will be available as race and category winners finish. Trophies/awards must be picked up on race day.