Mt. Airy News Reports on the Kibler River Run-July 29
July 28, 2010
Mt. Airy News Sports reports on the Kibler Valley River Run on July 29, 2010 edition, page 7.
28th Annual River Run set for Saturday
Mt. Airy News, July 28, 2010
by Marc Pruitt Staff Reporter
Canoe enthusiasts and kayakers will be out in full force Saturday on the Dan River for the 28th annual Kibler Valley River Run.
There will be approximately 33 different categories spread out in divisions for canoers and kayakers alike, as well as one for duckies, a rubber version of the kayak.
Tom Bishop, the executive director of the Patrick County, Va., Chamber of Commerce, said that he is expecting a good turnout.
“We are hoping we’ll get between 200-250 people registered,� Bishop said. “We are a rain or shine event, so unless there is some unforeseen natural disaster like a hurricane, we expect good numbers.�
Participants are encouraged to arrive at the race site no later than 8:30 to register. There is a $25 fee, and each participant will receive an event T-shirt.
Trophies will be awarded to the top-three finishers in each division.
Racers are broken up into their respective divisions based on age.
There are divisions for juniors (up to age 17), masters (18-45), and seniors (46+) as well as a separate division for women.
“The kayak events seem to be the most popular with our participants,� Bishop said. “We don’t get as many of the duckies, but we’ll have a few of them. It seems that past participants are always suggesting new categories to us, too.�
Participants will be shuttled up the river to the Pinnacles Hydro plant, with the actual running of the events scheduled to begin between 9:30 or 10 a.m.
“All that will depend on the plant to do its water release so that the water level rises to a 10 or 11,� Bishop said. “You can’t really kayak out there if it isn’t that high. But when it does get to that point, you can see some class three rapids out there.�
Bishop said riders will be facing a six-mile trek down the river, and their times will start as soon as they get launched.
“It’s a pretty exciting little ride, especially if the water levels are right,� Bishop said. “They can cover the six-miles pretty quick.�
Bishop said that there are a lot of area riders, but expects enthusiasts to show up from all over the country.
“We’ve had them come from as far away as Washington state before,� Bishop said. “We’ve got a few pockets that come in from area colleges like Virginia Tech, North Carolina, and Radford, and a lot of our participants are repeat. So many of them know that the last weekend in July is when we hold this, so they usually just show up. The word has just spread, and we are always finding more people to get involved. It’s a pretty neat event and a fun day.�
For more information on registration or the event, can call the Patrick County Chamber of Commerce at (276) 694-6012.
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