West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners
A Mountain State of Running
Details
Highlands Sky 40M
Monongahela National Forest & Canaan Valley State Park
Davis, WV
Saturday before Father’s Day
June 15th, 2024
Start: 6:00 am
Registration
Online registration opens Groundhog Day, Feb. 2nd at 6:00am. Participants must be 18 years or older. The race field is limited to 200 participants. Registration closes on June 5th, 2024. An option to join the wait list will start when the race fills.
The all inclusive Highlands Sky registration is $125. Additional guest meal tickets may be purchased for $25 (our cost from CVSP).
A 90% refund of race registration fee will be granted to March 16th, 2024.
A 70% refund of race registration fee will be granted to April 20th, 2024.
There are no refunds after this date.
We do not offer race deferral to the next year.
Entrants must login to RunSignUp to process refund request.
| Price | Registration Dates | |
|---|---|---|
| $125 | Open: Feb. 2nd, 2024 | Close: June 5th, 2024 |
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 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 Daily 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 Lodge is race headquarters. There are cabins and camping also available at the park very near the lodge. Use this code when making room reservations, Group ID Code: 1029E4.
| 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. Modify the number of guests as needed, then select room. |
| 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 $25 (our cost from CVSP) *Children 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. 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
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.
In an effort to reduce waste we create during this event the course will be “cupless”. Please come prepared with your own liquid receptacle/s.
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!
