The 19th annual Dupont Trail Race takes place on Saturday, March 30, and for those of you who haven’t ever participated, this is the year to catch the action!
Why? Because it’s 7.4 miles of awesomeness through beautiful Dupont State Recreational Forest, which is less than an hour’s drive south of Asheville (between Hendersonville and Brevard). The terrain is challenging but not too technical, so it’s a perfect first time trail race and also a great race to spectate.
Asheville firefighter Mikey Riley (pictured above) is a huge fan of the DuPont Trail Race and says he looks forward to it every year. A long-time Maggot runner who is well known in the Asheville running community (and not just for his tattoos), Mikey logs roughly 3,000 miles annually and has run the Dupont Trail Race six times. It’s his favorite race of the year.
“There’s nothing I don’t love about it,” says Mikey. “It starts later in the morning so people can take their time getting out there. The route is perfect… it’s a super awesome distance and you can get your workout in for the day. Plus there’s so many familiar faces.”
Mikey won the DuPont Trail Race twice. In fact, he won it the first time he ran it. That’s raising the bar just a tad, but for all of you regular trail runners this is a fun first trail race to try that’s open to all skill levels.
“It’s a straightforward race. Not super technical, there are no real difficult climbs,” Mikey says. “At the end there’s a bit of a beater because you’re tired, and you can almost hear the finish line…but as a first timer, it’s perfect.”
To prepare, Mikey suggests having a couple of practice trail runs under your belt at a 7- to 8- mile distance. Also be sure to watch the weather and dress accordingly. It does tend to rain in Dupont, so do bring a hat, gloves, and rain gear and be prepared for cold, soggy weather. Definitely bring clothing for after the race as well, such as dry socks and shoes, so you don’t drive home with wet feet. For weather information, you can check out DuPont’s Weather station.
As for nutrition, bring one or two GU energy gels or whatever nutritional supplement you prefer, and a little water. Snacks and food are provided after the race, along with some nice hot coffee and race swag. DuPont State National Forest is a beautiful area; your kids can ride bikes or hike while the race is going on, and Mikey says he and his family always stop for lunch in town afterwards.
If you’re driving to DuPont Trail Race for the first time, try to go with someone who has been there before, or give yourself extra time. The race start is a bit hidden, but there will be signage to help guide you.
Jus’ Running is the main sponsor of this race and all proceeds go towards DuPont State Recreational Forest. Come out and enjoy a challenging yet fun morning on Saturday, March 30 and enjoy a scenic run through rolling trails.
For directions to Dupont Forest and the Guion Farm access area please visit www.dupontforest.com/directions.html. The race begins at 10:00 am, and although registration is closed you can still cheer on your friends and family! Visit the race website for information on participants and tips for spectators.