Three Days. Three Races. One Ultimate Challenge!
The James River Gauntlet is a three-day, multi-discipline race designed to test your endurance and versatility. Over the course of one action-packed weekend, competitors will take on three distinct events across three challenging days, each pushing different aspects of athletic performance. It all kicks off with the Mountain Bike Time Trial on Friday, May 16, followed by the James River Scramble on Saturday, May 17, and wrapping up with the Downriver Paddle on Sunday, May 18. With three races in three days, this stage race is designed to test your endurance and push your limits. Are you ready to rise to the challenge?
* Note, if you would like to purchase event insurance, DO NOT register for the gauntlet through the James River Gauntlet event. You must register for each event separately. We will mark your registrations as part of the Gauntlet.
MTB Time Trial
Friday, May 16 at 6:30 PM
The weekend kicks off with the MTB Time Trial. where riders will race against the clock on a demanding course designed to challenge both skill and stamina. The event will be timed, with each rider’s performance contributing to their overall standing for the Gauntlet.
James River Scramble
Saturday, May 17 at 9:00 AM
On Saturday, competitors will lace up their trail running shoes for the James River Scramble, navigating the rugged terrain of the James River trail system for a 10k-ish. Expect steep climbs and fast descents, all while racing for the best time and positioning in the overall event standings.
Downriver Paddle
Sunday, May 18 at 1:00 PM
The Downriver Paddle wraps up the weekend on Sunday, where athletes will take to the water for a fast-paced, thrilling race down the James River. Racers are required to complete a mandatory ferry, testing their strength and technique to complete the Gauntlet.
James River Gauntlet Standings
The James River Gauntlet is a stage race, meaning your performance in each event contributes to your overall time and rank. To claim the title of James River Gauntlet Champion, competitors must compete in all three events, with cumulative times determining the final standings. Awards will be presented immediately following the Downriver Paddle, celebrating the best of the best across all disciplines.
Help Us Maintain Our World Class Trail System
The James River Park System and the Richmond Riverfront is an extremely important asset to Richmond, and Dominion Energy Riverrock provides the opportunity to celebrate the Park System and Riverfront and all of the outdoor recreation opportunities RVA has to offer. Please consider donating to Friends of James River Park System to help fund recreational access improvements to James River Park System. Your donation helps park staff manage the impact of events in the park system. This nationally acclaimed trail system would not be what it is today without the hard work of countless volunteers throughout the year and it is donations like yours that make this work possible. In the past Dominion Energy Riverrock donations were able to support not only general trail maintenance through RVA More’s tireless efforts but also very specific infrastructure and equipment improvements like a donation to the universal access ramp at Huguenot Flatwater, two new trail ramps, and the replacement of all bike pumps at the bike repair stations around the James River Park System. The James River Park System and riverfront continues to see heavy use so donations to maintain and make improvements are important to the overall sustainability of this RVA asset.
Our Story
We live and work by Richmond’s picturesque riverfront. With a network of trails and amazing views just steps away from a vibrant downtown, we knew we had to let everyone in on the secret that was Richmond, VA. And what better way to celebrate than with the nation’s premier outdoor sports and music festival?!
Sports Backers and Venture Richmond both work to make RVA a vibrant place to live. Bringing our two nonprofit organizations together to create one of the nation’s most beloved outdoor festivals was a no-brainer! Venture Richmond provides the entertainment, and Sports Backers brings the athletes. It all adds up to a great showcase of Richmond’s riverfront and all it has to offer!
Sports Backers is a nationally recognized nonprofit whose mission is to inspire people from all corners of our community to live actively. Since 1991, Sports Backers has fostered a culture of active living in Central Virginia through its participatory sporting events and community-based programs that have inspired hundreds of thousands of people in the region to set fitness goals and pursue an active lifestyle. In everything that we do, we strive to promote health equity and create accessible opportunities for active living throughout our region. We fulfill our mission by: (1) advocating for bike and pedestrian infrastructure; (2) energizing the community through events; and (3) building a network of community-led group fitness programs in schools and neighborhoods.
Venture Richmond is a nonprofit organization formed to engage business and community leaders in partnering with the City to enhance the vitality of the community, particularly Downtown, through economic development, marketing, promotion, advocacy and events, to include: Friday Cheers, the 2nd Street Festival, the Richmond Folk Festival, and more.
Cancellation Policy
Entries are non-refundable, non-transferable, and non-deferrable, even in the case of a event cancellation, postponement, event format changes, and/or if you are unable to participate.
Questions? Feedback?
Questions or Feedback please reach out below
