West Virginia State Parks today announced the Sticks & Stones Trail Run at Babcock State Park, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. The challenging course spans one of the most scenic and historic areas of the state and covers 9.3 miles (15 kilometers). This annual event is organized by Donnie Hudspeth of Mountain Air Productions.
The course is a point-to-point run starting at historic Camp Washington Carver. Runners will take the Mann’s Gorge Overlook Trail to the Narrow Gauge Trail, up Sewell Road to the Glade Creek Gristmill, then to the Skyline Trail and finish at Mann’s Creek Picnic Area.
“Runners will be immersed in the beautiful scenery and history of the New River Gorge as they move over the ridges and dips of Babcock State Park. The course follows an old narrow-gauge railroad grade flanking a creek gorge and passing a functioning historic gristmill,” Hudspeth said. “The trails are beautiful, but because of the 1,005 feet of elevation gain, runners may find this to be their most challenging race ever.”
Sticks & Stones has a maximum registration of 180 racers. All participants must register in advance as there is no race-day registration. Runners can register at www.active.com or download, complete and mail a registration form from www.sticksandstonesrun.com.
Babcock State Park offers beautiful overlooks, waterfalls, fishing, camping and lodging through October. To learn more about Babcock State Park, visit www.babcocksp.com.
