Details
Highlands Sky 40M
Monongahela National Forest & Canaan Valley State Park
Davis, WV
2020 event cancelled due to COVID-19
COVID-19 Response
“We have come to the difficult decision of cancelling the 2020 Highlands Sky event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision was reached after careful deliberation – considering the well-being of our runners, volunteers, sponsors, and community at large – and assessment of many key infrastructural elements to the race being in doubt (lodging, buses, etc.). In making the decision to cancel now, we hope to relieve you of some small amount of the overwhelming stress that we are all feeling during this time of uncertainty.
We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support in this difficult time. Please accept our deepest regards to each of you and our wishes for your safety and health in days ahead. ”
–Dan Lehmann and Adam Casseday
We are offering two options:
- Withdrawal from the race before April 25th, 2020 and receive a full refund of your 2020 entry fees.
- Defer entry to 2021.
Visit our Refund Policy to complete your choice. As people withdrawal, those on the waitlist will move up. Race registration will open on Feb. 2nd, 2021 for any available spots. After the race fills, a new waitlist will be opened for 2021.
The Highlands Trail Work/Trainer Weekend scheduled for May 2nd-3rd is also cancelled.
Registration
An increase in venue use cost has resulted in a $5 race registration price increase. Online registration opens Groundhog Day, Feb. 2nd Groundhog Day at 6:00am. Participants must be 18 years or older. The race field is limited to 200 participants. Registration closes on June 9th, 2021. An option to join the wait list will start when the race fills.
The all inclusive Highlands Sky registration is $100. Additional guest meal tickets may be purchased at $15 when you register.
A 90% refund of race registration fee and 100% of add-on meals will be granted to March 20th, 2021.
A 70% refund of race registration fee and 100% of add-on meals will be granted to April 24th, 2021.
There are no refunds after this date.
Entrants must login to Run Sign Up to request refunds through RunSignUp.
| Price | Registration Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | Open: Feb. 2nd, 2021 | Close: June 9th, 2021 |
Packet Pick Up
| Location | Date / Time |
|---|---|
| Canaan Valley Lodge | Friday before race 5:00pm-8:00pm |
Start Times
Participants should attend the pre-race meeting at 7:00 pm on Friday before the race at the Canaan Valley Resort.
Shuttle buses will depart Canaan Valley Lodge at 5:00 am for the 25 min trip to the start. The start begins at the gray metal bridge crossing Red Creek near the Laneville DNR Cabin at the entrance to the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area. All runners must check-in with the race director on the Saturday morning of the race at the start. There will be no shuttle service back to the start after the race. If you have family or crew driving you to the start, please indicate so on the entry form. Directions to the Canaan Lodge and Start Line may be found on the Directions page.
| Race | Start Time |
|---|---|
| 40M | 6:00 am |
Restrictions
There is a time limit of 12 hours to complete the course, and there are cutoff times to reach four of the eight aid stations. Pacers are not permitted for this race, however except for the Top Five Men and Women runners, friends may join a runner from the last Aid Station #8 Freeland Road to the finish. Pets may not accompany race participants.
| 40M Cutoffs | |
|---|---|
| Location | Time |
| Aid # 2 Gas Line (10.5 miles) |
9:15am (3 hours, 15 min.) |
| Aid # 3 Forest Rd. 70 (16 miles) |
11:05pm (5 hours, 5 min.) |
| Aid # 4 Dolly Sods (19.7 miles) |
12:05pm (6 hours, 5 min.) |
| Aid # 6 Bear Rocks (27 miles) |
1:40pm (7 hours, 40 min.) |
| Finish Line | 6:00pm (12 hours) |
Awards
Participants completing the course under the 12 hour time limit will receive a Patagonia Capilene shirt (available in men’s and women’s sizes)
| 40M | Male and Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Number of Places | |
| Overall | 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th | |
| 40-49 | 1st | |
| 50-59 | 1st | |
| 60-69 | 1st | |
| 70+ | 1st | |
| Special Awards | ||
| Finishers Award | All participants under the 12 hour time limit | |
Lodging
Canaan Valley Resort is offering special rates for the weekend. Cabins and camping are also available at the park very near the lodge where activities will take place.
| Suggested Lodging | ||
|---|---|---|
| Name | Distance From Finish / Bus Pick-up | Information |
| Canaan Valley Lodges | On premises | A block of rooms have been set aside for Highlands participants. Follow this link to reserve a room, https://www.canaanresort.com/groups-meetings/. On the line that says, “BOOK ONLINE” input the conference check-in and check-out dates, number of guests, and the following GROUP CODE: 17346. Once this information is inputted click on the “BOOK NOW” button. |
| Canaan Valley Cabins | On premises | Two, three, and four bedroom cabins available. Reservations can be made now for race weekend by calling 304-866-4121 or 800-622-4121 |
| Canaan Valley Campground | On premises | Reservations for campground sites can be made beginning March 15th, 2019 by calling 304-866-4121 or 800-622-4121. The reserved campsites fill fast. All sites have hookups. |
| Black Water Falls State Park | 10 miles | There is a lodge, cabins, or camping available. |
| Monongahela National Forest | Campsite dependent | Free camping anywhere in Monongahela National Forest. Free camping in Wilderness Areas, but must be at least 300 feet off the road. |
| Tucker County Visitor’s Bureau | Various | More locations and information for visiting and staying in Tucker County. Call 800-782-2775 |
Meals
A pre-race dinner is included for registered runners. Guest food tickets may be purchased for $15 (kids 5 years and younger are free).
| Meal | Time |
|---|---|
| Pre Race | Friday before race 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
| Pre-race Dinner | |
|---|---|
| Item | Description |
| Pasta Buffet | Tossed Salad with Assorted Dressings. Linguini & Tortellini & Gluten Free Pasta, Alfredo, Marinara & Pesto Sauces. |
| Toppings | Grilled Chicken, Bacon Crumbles, Meatballs, Onions & Peppers, Black Olives & Mushrooms. |
| Condiments | Parmesan Cheese & Red Pepper Flakes Garlic Bread Chef’s Selection of Desserts Coffee, Decaf Coffee, Hot Tea & Iced Tea |
Crew Access
Runner Safety and Fairness is essential at Highlands Sky. To ensure this for all participants crew access is strictly enforced. Crews may only drive to Aid #4 Dolly Sods (mile 19.7), and Aid #8 Freeland Road (mile 36.9). Crew SHALL NOT drive past AS #4 toward AS #5 or AS #6 along the Road Across the Sky.
If this occurs, your runner will be DISQUALIFIED.
Wait-list
The option to join the wait-list begins as soon as the race fills on RunSignUp. Generally there is not much movement on the wait-list until the refund dates. Starting . Participants on the wait-list may check their status under the My Waiting Lists / Lotteries link on RunSignUp.
When a registered participant withdraws from the race, the first-in-line on the wait-list is automatically advanced. That person receives an email notification from RunSignUp stating their eligibility to register for the race. They have two (2) days to submit an entry. If they submit, their status appears used; if they do not submit, it shows expired. As participants withdraw from the race, this process repeats down the wait-list.
Additional Information
Subscribe to the calendar on your smart device [ICS]
Drop Bags will be collected at the Starting Line and be available at Aid Station # 4 Dolly Sods at mile 19.7. Please label the bag with your name and bib number.
While keeping rules to a minimum, there are a few. Pacers are not allowed on the course, however friends may join a runner from the last Aid Station #8 Freeland Road to the Finish. No one may run using another registered runners bib number.
Please let the Race Director know if you will arriving late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
All are welcome at the Start, but please park out of the way of runners and buses. This will be discussed at the pre-race meeting Friday evening. The best place to meet your runner is at the approximate halfway point Aid Station #4 (mile 19.3). Here runners have completed the tougher first half and support will be appreciated. Please inform the Race Director if you have any special needs.
Volunteers
We are always looking for volunteers to assist at our races. If you are interested, please read the list of volunteer role descriptions on the Volunteer Page and click below to volunteer at Highlands Sky 40M!
Charity Organization
A portion of the proceeds from this race go to support the Heart of the Highlands Trail, a system of multi-use trails around Tucker County, WV.
Sponsors
We would like to thank the following sponsors for assistance in producing this amazing race!
