2024 Virginia MTB Marathon (XCM) State Championship Race

Written By Dennis Dempsey

Sunday, October 6th

2 DAYS OF BIKES, FAMILY, FRIENDS, FUN

October 5 & 6, 2024

The VIRGINIA STATE XCM CHAMPIONSHIP will be unlike and other race this year in Virginia. This weekend long celebration of mountain biking includes camping, local food trucks, a beer garden, expo with vendors and more.

This USA Cycling sanctioned event has classes for all levels of riders with juniors, women and men represented.

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!!!
Non-racers, spectators, and local residents are invited to come out and enjoy the race, music, bar, and food!
Local vendors are welcome to set up as well, PLEASE contact us at info@rvaracing.com or (804) 301-6412 first.

RVA Racing Events will serve as the event promoter, working closely with officials from the Fluvanna County Government, the Fluvanna County Parks & Recreations Department, USA Cycling (USAC), and the Charlottesville Area Mountain Bike Club (CAMBC) which is the local chapter of the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA). 

Often referred to as cross-country marathon (XCM), is a very demanding form of mountain bike racing. For this race, riders will have four hours to complete as many laps as they can over a 10.9-mile closed course with ~800’ of elevation.

Pleasant Grove Park has been chosen as the venue for the grueling event on Sunday, October 8th. Pleasant Grove Park is located between Charlottesville and Richmond Virginia in Fluvanna County. The park boasts 22 miles of trails and is nestled right on the Rivanna River. 

Course Maps:

You preride the XCM State Champs course anytime as long as park and trails are open!

The 2023 Virginia State XCM Championship will be a 2-day MTB festival atmosphere with activities that run before, after, and concurrent to the race to create an inclusive and family-oriented event. There will be camping, local food trucks along with a beer garden, and vendor expo areas both Saturday and Sunday!

Camping

  • Beer Garden

  • Vendor Expo & Demos

  • Local Food Trucks available on site

  • Music

The 2023 Virginia State XCM Championship Race is being held under USA Cycling event permit 2023-6915. All Pro/Elite category racers will require an annual USA Cycling Mountain Bike license. All other categories must have either an annual USA Cycling Mountain Bike License or a one-day license at registration for $15.00 (USAC has raised the cost of the one-day license for 2023). 

EVENTS IS RAIN OR SHINE!

Rain conditions may result in course alterations to protect trails where warranted.

Event Check-In:
Saturday @ 3:00 - 9:00 PM
Sunday @ 6:00 - 8:00 AM

Race Brief & Roll Call @ 8:30 AM
Race Starts @ 9:00 AM

When: Sunday, October 6th @ 9:00 AM

Where: Pleasant Grove Park - 271 Pleasant Grove Drive, Palmyra, VA 22963

Entry Fee: $45 until 1/1/2024

  • $55 until 4/1

  • $65 after 4/1

  • Walkups $85

Your pre-registration includes:

  • Event Fanny Pack loaded with goodies

  • Camping

  • Pasta Dinner Saturday Night

  • Drink Ticket

  • T-Shirt

    • Preorders only: $20 if you preregister before 8/15

    • Also available at event for $30

Pre-Registration Closes: October 4th @ 11:59 PM

Day of registration: $85 (cash, check, or Venmo).

  • You can register Saturday or Sunday during scheduled check in hours.

Food Truck Service Hours:
Saturday, 3:00 - 8:00 PM
Sunday, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Vendor/Expo Area Hours:
Saturday 3:00 - 9:00 PM
Sunday, 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM

The “Champions Corner” Bar Hours:
Saturday, 3:00 - 10:00 PM
Sunday, 11:00 - 9:00 PM

Event Schedule:

Saturday, October 5th
Event Opens: 1:00 PM
Race Check-in: 3:00 - 9:00 PM
Pasta Dinner: 5:30 - 7:00 PM

Sunday, October 6th
Race Check-in: 6:00 - 8:00 AM
Pre-Race Brief: 8:30 AM
Race Starts: 9:00 AM
Awards Ceremony: 2:00 PM (or sooner)
Event Closes: 9:00 PM

2024 Virginia State Championship Kit

Our first-place winners will score a spanking new 2024 Champs Jersey designed and produced by our friends at Athlos Sports!

Why does RVA Racing use ATHLOS? Because ATHLOS makes the best kits period. The Split Zero design delivers the ultimate in performance without compromise. Race day ready, aero, streamlined and conforming to the body; technology without compromise!

Order here: Link coming soon!

What’s on Tap!

Train Wreck (IPA)

PG-13 (Pilsner)

Smelly Panda (TBD)

More to come …

Food Vendors on Site:

D’Mary’s Taco Truck

Looking for a delicious and satisfying post-race meal? Look no further than D'Mary's Taco Truck! With an outstanding reputation for serving up great tacos, D'Mary's is the perfect place to refuel your body after refuel your body with the post-race fuel it deserves - tacos!

HOURS:
Sunday 11:00AM - 7:00PM

Moe’s Better Italian Ice

Looking for a flavorful and refreshing treat that will leave you craving for more? Look no further than Moe Betta Italian! As a mobile Italian ice cart, we bring the authentic taste of New York straight to you.

HOURS:
Saturday 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Sunday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Event Categories:

Men's & Women's with age brackets (see registration page for details). Promoter has the right to combine classes and awards/prizes based on registration totals.

  • Pro/Elite

  • Expert (CAT 1)

  • Sport (CAT 2)

  • Beginner (CAT 3)

  • SingleSpeed (Open)

  • Clydesdale (Open, 200 lbs+)

  • Junior (age 10-18)

  • Tandem

  • Teams (2 & 3-4 person teams)

Racing Age: For all racers including Juniors – Racing Age is determined by your age on December 31st of the current year. Parents – please take note of this when registering your juniors for races, your Junior racer cannot turn 19 in the current year. 

Field Limit: 200 - this may change as we finalize plans with park and county.

Race Format: Riders will have four hours to complete as many laps as they can over a 10.9-mile closed course with ~800’ of elevation. Riders must start their last lap before 3:59 on the race clock.


Aid Stations/On-Trail Support: There will be 2 aid stations on course

    Aid #1 (at start of loops, riders will pass this once each loop)

  • Sponsored by: Pedal Power RVA

  • Provided food/nutrition: CARBOROCKET (Half-Evil & Electrolyte hydration Drink)

  • Team support crews are allowed

    Aid #2 (mid-course at mile 6 at the Dog Park)

  • Sponsored by: CARBOROCKET

  • Provided food/nutrition: CARBOROCKET

  • Team support crews are allowed

Prizes: Awards, Merchandise, & Medals

VENUE LOGISTICS

Parking (FREE/INCLUDED): General parking is open to all for free. It will be at the entrance to the park (see site map) and 1/4 mile from start/finish area.

Pasta Dinner (FREE/INCLUDED): Your entry includes dinner catered by Sal’s Saturday night! Your dinner will include spaghetti, meatballs, salad, garlic knots, & beverage. We will probably get some pizzas, plain and pepperoni, as well. We plan to have food onsite by 6:00 PM. if you’re bringing family, you can purchase additional food tickets for $7.50 each, or pay $10 on Saturday (if we have enough).

Camping (FREE/INCLUDED): Primitive camping is available Saturday night and it is a short walk to the expo area and bathrooms. Campers will be able to unload from road alongside camping area and park in general parking. No cars are allowed to park in general camping area. Saturday campers will be able to set up as early as 1:00 Saturday afternoon and will have to vacate campsite by 8:00 PM Saturday but are welcome to hang out in the expo area until we close! NOTE that the VIP Parking ($25) comes with space for camping.

VIP Parking, Camping, & Staging Areas ($25): Limited VIP Parking Available with Saturday Night Camping. You will have a 10'x30' space for parking and camping. You'll also be right in the heart of the action near the start/finish area and along course as racers begin each lap. There is access to power in most spaces. You will be able to set up as early as 1:00 Saturday afternoon.

Trail Guidelines: This is a trail system shared with hikers and equestrians, and our goal with this event is to celebrate it appropriately by respecting the resource and to leave a great impression of the mountain bike community which means NOT leaving our physical impression!

Vendors on Site

​Sponsor Opportunities

While the race is always the main event, our venues are chosen because they are spectator friendly and offer space for vendors and teams to set up tents and make each event a fun friendly MTB bike festival. The 2023 Virginia State MTB Marathon Championship will be a 2-day MTB festival atmosphere with plans to have activities that run before, after and concurrent to the race to create an inclusive and family-oriented event. We have opportunities for business, vendor, and/or shop support or participation in the following areas:

  • Awards/prizes

  • Swag-bag and merchandize items

  • Shops tents/neutral support

  • Vendor promo display and sales

  • Music/DJ

  • Fundraising opportunities

  • Food, Drink, & Beer vendors

Want to get in on the action? Contact us at info@RVARacingEvents.com

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FLYER

Help us get the word out!

Click on the flyer to download PNG file for sharing on social media or wherever. If you want a printable PDF file or want us to send you a flyer to display in your shop, hit us up at info@rvaracing.com

Dennis Dempsey https://www.rvaracing.com
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