View of Buzzard Rock along the climb to Meneka Peak
Welcome to the Meneka Mountain Races, premier mountain trail running events set in the wild and beautiful George Washington National Forest.
Find your next challenge, experience the thrill of mountain trail running, and enjoy the scenic fall season.
MMR is conveniently located for the VA / DC / MD / WV area and perfect for a destination trip or camping weekend!
Presented by Athletic equation
Athletic Equation (AEI) is a regional leader in hosting premier endurance trail races from Virginia up to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Founded in 2005, AEI has hosted high quality trail events with a focus on introducing runners to the ultra-marathon distance. Starting in October 2022, AEI and Will to Run are partnering to bring you a family shorter of mountain trail races to the VA/DC/MD/WV area. Meneka Mountain Races will be the first edition in the race series, directed by Will Weidman.
Meneka mountain 10k
This challenging 10K has 1,050 feet of climbing in 6.1 miles! It is a perfect way to experience mountain trail running and explore the amazing National Forest. Begin with a 1.4-mile loop around Elizabeth Furnace, followed by a long climb on the famed Tuscarora Trail. Loop back on the Sidewinder Trail back to Tuscarora and the finish. The trail is rocky and technical in many spots, and some prior trail running experience is recommended. There will be light aid at 1.4, 2.5, and 5.0 miles.
meneka mountain 25k
This is one of the toughest (and most scenic) half marathon +++ races you will find, featuring 2,220 feet of climbing in 14.5 miles! Start with a long, steep climb to Meneka Peak and traverse the rocky ridge to the famed Signal Knob Overlook. From there, it is “bombs away” down four miles of runnable dirt roads. The ***only*** aid station is at mile 9.2. Return to single track trail and several adventurous stream crossings. If you have any legs left, there are several more miles of runnable forest roads before finishing on singletrack trail.
trees not tees partnership
Meneka Mountain Races is partnering with Trees Not Tees. Planting a tree is one of the best things you can do to fight climate change, as they remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow. Look out for options to plant trees when you register. Your tree will be planted in Scotland to grow as part of a whole new forest full of native broadleaf tree species. You’ll receive a certificate from Trees Not Tees that includes a picture of your tree, details of the species, and a unique geo-location address.
race requirements
All runners are required to carry a minimum of 16 ounces of water. Due to the remote and mountainous nature of the courses, there are long stretches between aid stations, and runners must be self-sufficient.
For the 25K, a backpack, race vest, or race belt with 1L+ of water and 300+ calories is required.
All runners must carry a map & turnsheet or a device with the race GPX loaded. The course will be marked, but to be safe in remote and rugged mountains, runners should also be able to navigate independently.
Please contact the Race Director at willtoruncoaching@gmail.com for questions about required gear or navigation.
Parking
Parking is limited around Elizabeth Furnace, so PLEASE carpool. There will be parking attendants directing you to the right lot. Note that depending on where you park, it will be a .5 mile hike to the start / finish area.
camping
Elizabeth Furnace has first-come-first-served campgrounds right next door to the MMR start / finish:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10158475
MAPS
10K Course Map: https://caltopo.com/m/T28AQ
25K Course Map: https://caltopo.com/m/E1KS0
Schedule of events
7:45am: 25K pre-race briefing
8:00am: 25K start
8:45am: 10K pre-race briefing
9:00am: 10K start
10:30am – 1:00pm: Post-race festivities
11:00am: Awards & Kids Race
12:30pm: Race cutoff
race amenities
Custom Boco Visor for all participants
Medal for 25K finishers
Post race picnic (veggie and vegan options; tickets available for purchase for family members)
Awards for top 3 male & female overall (25K and 10K)
A beautiful race location in the fall with a friendly and welcoming atmosphere!
Pricing
Prices are as follows until August 31st, 2022 and will increase starting September 1st. There are 200 spots available across both distances, so register before they fill up!
10K: $50
25K: $85