Walk/Run & Have Fun in WV

There’s been a lot of controversy after a recent cancellation of a Dirty Girl Mud Run in Charleston, WV. But there are still plenty that participants can get involved in to make up for it!

Old Crow Medicine Show & Some Other Great Bands at Power Park – Sponsored by the Clay Center

Travelers who were planning on coming in should still go to Charleston for the day to enjoy the rest of the events around town for the Charlie West Summer Jam. Check out the Live on the Levee outdoor concert, Family Fun Day at the Clay Center, the Old Crow Medicine Show concert at Appalachian Power Park and the weekly Mountain Stage live music radio show.

And dip into the Southern WV mountains while you’re there. It’s not exactly the same, but there are plenty of rustic trails through the sweeping New River Gorge National Park, just one hour (and one beautiful, scenic drive) from Charleston. And the mountain terrain can certainly provide some obstacles!

If you were excited about running for charity, Charleston also has several other charity races coming up:

• 10th Annual Children’s Therapy Clinic’s Make a Miracle 5K, 10K & Fun Run– Aug. 9. (Proceeds benefit Children’s Therapy Clinic, for therapy treatment.)
• Alissa & Aubree Cantrell Memorial 5k Run/Walk – Aug. 16. (Proceeds benefit Camp Cowen, a Baptist Church Camp)
• McTrooper 5K Run/Walk – Sept. 27 (Proceeds benefit the local Ronald McDonald House charity)

Here in Southern WV, we also have several charity runs to choose from:

• Appalachian Tri/Du to Fight Cancer– Sept. 7, Neola, WV. (Proceeds go to the Lustgarten Foundation to fight pancreatic cancer)
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s– Sept. 13, Beckley/Oak Hill WV. (Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association)
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s– Sept. 27, Lewisburg, WV. (Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association)
• Summersville’s Midnight Blast 5K– Aug. 8, Summersville, WV. (Proceeds benefit the Nicholas County High School Cross Country Program)

Captain Thurmond’s Challenge

There are also some great fun runs that are put on by individual communities to encourage health, but not as charity fundraisers:

• New River Gorgeous Trail Run & Walk – Aug. 23, Oak Hill, WV
• 16th Annual Beckley 1/2 Marathon – Oct. 4, Beckley, WV
• 5K Cherry River Festival 5K Walk & 10K Run – Aug. 2, Richwood, WV
• Captain Thurmond’s New River Gorge Challenge 2014 – Aug. 2 – Thurmond, WV

Huntington, less than an hour from Charleston, also has several races listed, including the Bun Run July 26, part of the Hot Dog Festival activities. Entrants of the canceled Dirty Girl can get a discount on this race, with the code “dirtygirl” on Tri-State Racer. Proceeds from this race benefit the Hoops Family Children’s Hospital at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

West Virginia is one of the most beautiful places you could go for a run, muddily or not. Just because one race got canceled doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy all the Mountain State has to offer.