New River Rush Adventure Race
New River Rush is a 15-hour adventure race held in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia. The clock starts in the morning and runs until late evening. It combines trekking, mountain biking, navigation, and guided whitewater rafting, meaning participants navigate varied terrain and don't just follow a marked path or aim for a standard time. The event provides solo, 2-person, 3-person, and 4-person team options. This structure allows seasoned adventure racers to compete intensely while offering a pathway for newer participants to enter with teammates. The course utilizes the Gorge extensively. Racers will bike on singletrack and backcountry trails, navigate on foot across rugged landscapes using rogaine principles, and raft New River rapids accompanied by guides. The rafting is an integral part of the race, not an optional add-on, which contributes to the entry fee. GRIT Adventure Racing, now in its third year, organizes the event. The organization's efforts are connected to veteran communities. Similar to other adventure races, New River Rush emphasizes strategic route selection, cooperation, and stamina alongside pure speed.
