Packet Pick-Up

Come by The Clay Center, at 1 Clay Square in Charleston from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Friday September 15th to pick-up your race packet. The packet will contain your race bib and race instructions. You can also view the race instructions on our "Rules/FAQ" tab. 
The Clay Center is located off Exit 100 of I-77/I-64. Exit the interstate and go to the first stoplight. Go straight through the stoplight and the entrance to the Clay Center will be on the left. Take the circular drive and temporarily park on the right hand side. We will be inside the main entrance, through the double doors.

Race Week!

Race week has finally arrived! Get in those last minute registrations and do a final workout or two. Then, rest for at least a couple days before the race to make sure those muscles are relaxed and ready to work. More information on Friday's packet pickup will be posted here shortly. Let us know if you have any questions by messaging us on Facebook.
Remember: there is a kid's event that will begin just after the race starts at 9:00 a.m. Trainers from the YMCA will hold a kid's boot camp on Magic Island. This is a free event sponsored by the YMCA and should be a great time for the children that want to begin preparing for their participation in the Capital City Challenge.
Thank you to all our sponsors and to everyone who has registered so far. We are hoping for clear skies and comfortable temperatures come Saturday morning. Hope to see you there!

Registration Price Increases September 1st

Get your registrations in by midnight tonight, August 31st, and save some cash! Teams, individuals, SUP racers, and 13k runners all save by registering early.
The temperatures are likely to cool as we enter September and, rain pending, it should be another beautiful day for the Challenge.

One Month Away!

We are a month away from the 2017 Capital City Challenge. Finalize those teams and get your individual or team registration submitted by clicking on our "Registration" tab and following the link to TriStateRacer.com.
If you are participating in the Charleston Distance Run, you will have a whole two weeks to recover before our event. Also, WVU fans should be able to complete the course and get to a television by noon to see the game against Delaware State. For Marshall fans, their game on September 16th against Kent State kicks off at 6:30 pm. So their is plenty of time to complete the Challenge for you die hard football fans.
Train through that summer heat and keep your endurance high; it will pay-off come September 16th!

Race Day Preppers Event, Monday, April 24th

Come out for our first ever Race Day Preppers Tri Training event Monday, April 24th from 5:30 - 7:00 pm at Daniel Boone Park.  Appalachian Boarding Company will be on hand to demonstrate our newest division - Stand Up Paddle Boarding.  Q and A with race officials, race applications and merchandise will be on hand.  IT'S TIME TO GET THE BALL ROLLING ON YOUR CCC TRI-TRAINING! 

New Addition for 2017

We are excited to introduce a new division to our race for 2017. This year you will be able to compete in a stand-up paddle (SUP) board division as either an individual or part of a team. If you have had difficulty sourcing a kayak in the past or would simply rather use a paddle board, this is your year to enter the Capital City Challenge. Watch the video below for a taste of what it's like to paddle down the Kanawha River.

Run for the River Triathlon

This Saturday you can run, row, and ride on the Coal River in the Run for the River Triathlon. The race takes place in Tornado, WV and features a 3 mile run, 8 mile bike, and 7 mile row course. The weather is finally featuring the best of Spring temperatures and sunshine; we recommended making the most of it with this fun triathlon.

The Leprechaun Chase

Start your spring training right this weekend with a trail run in Kanawha State Forest. The Leprechaun Chase is a rolling 8k in the woods that should delight off-road runners looking for a unique early season race. Try to catch the lead runner in leprechaun attire and beat him to the finish line, if you are feeling up for a challenge. Runners looking to celebrate St. Patrick's Day weekend should enjoy this one!

Registration: The Leprechaun Chase 8k | APTiming

Area Runs, Races, and Training - 2017

The Run Row Ride Committee loves to participate in races on foot, on bike, and in the water throughout the region. There are some great events this year that will help you prepare for the 2017 Capital City Challenge. We will be highlighting some of these events with the idea that participating in them will get you in shape for our race on September 16th. Here is a preview of some of our favorites:

March 18: The Leprechaun Chase; Kanawha State Forest; This is an 8k (5 mile) road and trail run that benefits the Almost Heaven Scholarship Fund. Off-road and hill training is great for improving your running time on the flats. Registration: APTiming

April 15: Run for the River; Tornado, WV; a "Sprint-Spoke-Splash" event sponsored by the Coal River Group. This triathlon will test all the important muscle groups and get your Spring training well underway. Registration: TriStateRacer

April 29: The Great Greenbrier River Race; Marlinton, WV. This is a well-established event in a unique location that mirrors our Challenge very closely. Registration: TriStateRacer

July 22: The Almost Heaven 7; St. Albans, WV; This is a challenging 7k trail run at St. Albans City Park and also benefits the Almost Heaven Scholarship fund. APTiming

For more events throughout the Spring and Summer keep watching our website and Facebook page. We will have plenty of favorites to add to this list, as well as training tips and tricks.

2017 Capital City Challenge

Welcome! We have a race date for the 2017 edition of the Capital City Challenge. September 16, 2017 will be the 8th annual run, row, ride at its home on Kanawha Boulevard and the Kanawha River. The race course is contained between Magic Island on the West and Daniel Boone Park on the East. See our "Course" tab for more details.
We will be updating this website as well as our Facebook page in the weeks and months to come with information about training, sourcing equipment, and other area races you may want to consider. Give us a "like" and post a comment/question on our Facebook page to connect with the Challenge.

Packet Pick-Up

Come by The Clay Center, at 1 Clay Square in Charleston from 4:00 pm to 6:50 pm on Friday September 16th to pick-up your race packet. The packet will contain your race bib and race instructions (the race instructions are also on the website here). The Clay Center is located off Exit 100 of I-77/I-64. Exit the interstate and go to the first stoplight. Go straight through the stoplight and the entrance to the Clay Center will be on the left. Take the circular drive and temporarily park on the right hand side. We will be inside the main entrance, through the double doors.

Race Day Events in Charleston

We are two-and-a-half weeks away from the 2016 race. If you are looking for a way to celebrate completing the Challenge, stick around Charleston for a Downtown Streetfest starting at 4:30 pm on Capitol Street. There will be live music, food, and drinks until 8:00 pm.
The Clay Center will feature a performance by the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 pm. The Orchestra is auditioning for a new conductor and this will be the first performance of the fall season.
The Capitol Market will feature their last Science Saturday of the year, hosted by The Clay Center from noon to 4 pm. Demonstrations and experiments aimed at a younger audience will be on display there.
Those interested in artwork can visit the East End Bazaar until 3:00 pm for their "Art of Painting" exhibit.

Make all your race day preparations and get ready to run, row, ride. Then, take a look at the many other activities on this busy Saturday in Charleston. It looks to be an amazing day!

The 2016 Race Approaches

We are a month and a half (45 days) away from the 2016 Capital City Challenge. Ramp up your training and get your gear (kayak and bike) ready for the event. Find a friend to team up with if you would rather not complete the individual triathlon. And remember, this is the first year we are featuring a 13k run (8 miles). Runners who would rather not paddle or bike can still enjoy a challenging distance run on the Boulevard.
If you are travelling to Charleston for the race, check out the Courtyard Marriott on Kanawha Boulevard for accommodations. It is short walk from our featured hotel to the race start at Magic Island. See the tab above for more information on staying there. For dining options, check out the many downtown restaurants featured on the Charleston Visitor Bureau's website: here.
Take time to explore the other tabs on this website. They most likely have the answers to questions concerning the race course and rules. Visit the "Sponsors" tab to see the companies and organizations who make the Challenge possible. This year the race is being supported by: Star USA Federal Credit Union; Webb Law Centre; Snap Fitness; WV American Water; John's Cyclery; The Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau; Suttle & Stalnaker; Bar 101; and The City of Charleston. Thank you!

Your Registration Helps The Counseling Connection

Our beneficiary is The Counseling Connection whose mission statement is "Providing the highest quality counseling, therapy, education and advocacy" in West Virginia. The Counseling Connection receives all the funds from racer registration. Money from the race helps support their REACH program. It is a 24/7 response program for sexual assault victims and they provide free services like counseling as well as Recovery Kits. Learn more about this great organization and partner to the Capital City Challenge - The Counseling Connection.

"Independence" Price Discount

The 2016 Capital City Challenge is just four months away. As a reminder, the date is September 17th and the start time is 9:00 am sharp. And through July 4th we are offering $10 off of our normal registration price! Visit the "Registration" tab to sign up on Tri State Racer. Enter the coupon code "Independence" when checking out to receive the discount.
The 2015 event saw a change in the bike course as construction forced us to change to a three loop course on Kanawha Boulevard rather than the traditional two loop course. Last year the City of Charleston was gracious enough to give us all four lanes of the Boulevard, which was appreciated by last year's participants. Although some participants forgot to complete the extra bike loop, we hope to eliminate that confusion with extra signage on the course. Please remember, this is now a three loop course! The mileage is the same but we had to add an extra lap to avoid the construction zone. The turnaround will be at Veazey Street again in 2016.
Another exciting change is that packet pick-up will be held at the Courtyard Marriott on Kanawha Boulevard the Friday night before the race from 4:00 to 7:00 pm.
The Courtyard Marriott is also the official hotel of the Challenge, so call today to reserve a room and tell them you are participating in this event for special room rates. The local telephone number is: 304-344-5888. Or you can visit their website by following this link: Courtyard Marriott - Charleston.

A NEW ADDITION FOR 2016

Due to popular demand, a new event has been added.  In addition to the run-row-ride race, a 13k running race will be offered this year.  For all those that couldn’t find a kayak to borrow or didn’t want to buy one and to those who were embarrassed by their 1976 “ten speed”, you no longer have an excuse.  Register today for the brand new race that will be raced in conjunction with the run-row-ride.
The course is simple.  Run with the “Challengers” to the Moose Lodge on the Boulevard.  Let the multi-sport folks continue on to Daniel Boone Park while you turn around and hightail it back to Magic Island.  This 13k run is just over 8 miles and you will be hard-pressed to find a flatter, faster course in the Mountain State!

No excuses!  If you want to run but don’t want to row or ride, the 13k is for you.  Register today at www.tristateracer.com.

2016 CAPITAL CITY CHALLENGE – MAY UPDATE

The Capital City Challenge is just 4 months away and many are in full training mode for the 7th annual running of the Challenge.  The official date is September 17 and the gun will sound at 9:00 a.m. sharp!

The 2015 event saw a change in the bike course as construction forced us to revert to a 3 loop course on Kanawha Boulevard rather than the 2 loop course of previous years.  As the City of Charleston was gracious enough to give us all four lanes of the Boulevard, this change was roundly approved by last year’s participants.  Although we had some that forgot to add the extra bike loop, we hope to eliminate that confusion with additional signage on the course.  Please remember, this is now a 3 loop course!  The mileage is the same but we had to add an extra lap to avoid the construction zone.
In another exciting change, packet pick-up will be held on Friday evening at the Courtyard Marriott on Kanawha Boulevard.  Stop by and get your race information the night before the race from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The Courtyard Marriott is also the official hotel of the Challenge so call today to reserve a room and tell them you are participating in this event for special room rates.    The local telephone number is 304-344-5888 or visit www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/crwcy-courtyard-charleston.

2016 Capital City Challenge Update

Spring has started and planning for the 2016 Capital City Challenge is well underway. The official date for this year's event is September 17, 2016 at 9:00 am sharp. This year our packet pick-up location will the Courtyard Marriott. Participants will be able to get their bibs and have any questions answered from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on the Friday before the race.
For the runners who want a solo event, we are offering a 13 kilometer (8.1 mile) race this year. The route will stay on Kanawha Boulevard with the Moose Lodge serving as the turn-around point. All registration information can be found on Tri-State Racer.

Keep visiting our page for the latest updates.

Celtic Calling Kilt 5k Run

Kick off the spring running season with some Celtic flavor. The City of Charleston will be holding a 5k race on March 5, 2016 starting at 8:00 am at the intersection of Smith and Morris Streets. Participants will run from the streets near Appalachian Power Park up to Spring Hill Cemetery and back. Appropriately, race funds will benefit the Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery nonprofit organization. A bagpiper will be playing at the start line and throughout the race. Wear a kilt during the race to qualify for the "Highland Warrior" group.
More information can be found by clicking on CharlestonWV.com and at Tri State Racer.

Thank You

Thank you to all the participants who took part in today's races. The results for 2015 are now posted on Tri-State Racer: follow this link to view them.
Congratulations to Chad Miner and Contessa Kennedy on their first place finishes in the men's and women's overall event! Chad finished in a blistering time of 1:54:13 while Contessa sprinted to the finish in 2:15:01. And congratulations to teams: Ambiguously Speedy Trio, Performance Kayak, and BishStrawPaul on winning the Female, Male, and Co-Ed team categories, respectively. Awesome work!

And another huge 'thank you' to the sponsors who help make this event possible:
The City of Charleston; Star USA Federal Credit Union; Triana Energy; WSAZ; Suttle & Stalnaker; John's Cyclery; West Virginia American Water; The Charleston Convention and Visitors Bureau; Bar 101; Anytime Fitness; Blackwell & Co.; Robinson Creative.
You allow us to have this day of fun while supporting The Counseling Connection and their amazing work in the communities of greater Charleston. Thanks!