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Tailgating Atmosphere at Muddy ACCE Race

Sept 15 | Tailgating Atmosphere at Muddy ACCE Race

 

If you head out to enjoy a football event this fall, you will likely see game-goers tailgating the event before the anticipated kickoff. The Muddy ACCE Race event has a friendly tailgating energy to it before, during, and after the race for participants and spectators! Plus free parking!

 

Held along the banks of the New River Water Trail in Giles County, this mud filled event will delight, challenge, and test our runners to the limits. The race is open to individuals and teams and comprised of the Main Course with over 48 obstacles with differing levels of difficulty, so runners can choose their limits as they run. The first heats of the day, between 8:30 and 9:30 AM are for the hardcore runners wanting to test themselves and for fun competition between first responders and firefighters. After 10 AM, teams, families, and individuals can run or walk the course and be as competitive as they wish. A Youth Mud Pit is also available for the youngsters from 10 AM until 2 PM. If running the race isn’t for some, spectating the race is always an option for joining in on the mud fun.

The Warp Wall is one of the first obstacles to overcome at the MAR, it then leads directly into the freezing Ice Bath! Join us on Sept 16th along the New River for the 2nd annual Muddy ACCE Race.

 

Before the race, runners can meet up with their team members to prepare for the race. Once together, they can go over strategies to complete the course, or they can get to know their competition a little before they all set off to begin the course. Hanging out in the Vendor Village will give you something to do and enjoy throughout the day. The designated tailgating parking area will be in the line of sight of the first stretch of obstacles and mud pits of the course. If wishing to park in the tailgating area, tell the parking attendants when you arrive. All parking is free but we are encouraging camaraderie in the specially designated tailgating area.

 

During the race, the spectators can cheer on their favorite runners from the sidelines! Once the runners are out of view, spectators are invited to continue watching the muddy mayhem in the Vendor Village via Facebook Live streams. Food is always a central component of a tailgate, and at the Muddy ACCE Race food is available for spectators to enjoy while they root for the runner of their choice. New to the 2018 event, spectators can enjoy a hayride through the entire course! $5 per person, or a family pack of 5 for $20. Find the hayride ticket area and pickup near the Vendor Village.

 

After the race, runners can then grab their much deserved bite to eat. Runners and spectators can come together to celebrate a job well done for helping raise funds for the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) Program.

 

The ACCE Program is a Giles County and New River Community College Partnership that makes college available to graduates from Giles County by covering the cost of tuition for two years at New River Community College. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student needs and funds available for the program. The Muddy ACCE Race event is a premier fundraiser for the ACCE Program.

 

Overall, the race promotes a friendly competition among runners and spectators rooting for their favorite team or runner. Come early and hang out all day. We’ll see you at the Muddy Mayhem on September 15, 2018 in Giles County, Virginia along the New River Water Trail.

 

Follow along with the fun on FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM

#2018MAR or #MuddyACCERace

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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.

For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs leading up to the September 16 event.

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Muddy ACCE Race Returns Sep. 15, 2018

Registration is open for the 2018 Muddy ACCE Race

Giles County, VA- Registration is open for the 2018 Muddy ACCE Race to be held on September 15, 2018 at the Glen Lyn Town Park. The third annual Muddy ACCE Race kicks off at 8:30am on the third Saturday of September along the New River in Glen Lyn. The Muddy ACCE Race is a 5K, obstacle mud run course race designed to drag you out of your comfort zone by testing your physical strength, stamina, and mental grit. It’s not about how fast you can cross the finish line, but if you can handle the mayhem. A challenge that emphasizes teamwork, camaraderie, and accomplishing something. For the kiddos we also have the Children’s Mud Pit. Along the banks of the New River in Southwest Virginia, this race has a rope swing out onto open water and other challenges…think you can handle it? This year, there will be 50 obstacles!

 

Muddy ACCE Race

 

The Muddy ACCE Race has been developed to support the Giles County Access to Community College Education efforts. Giles County is the first locality in the New River Valley to participate in the “Access to Community College Education” initiative. ACCE is a public/private partnership that makes college available tuition-free to resident graduates from Giles County by covering the cost of tuition for two years at New River Community College. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program. With your support, students will graduate from NRCC prepared to join the workforce or transfer to a four-year university without college debt. The successful program has garnered national attention for Giles County and has allowed over 150 students to further their education at New River Community College.

 

The MAR will be an event not to miss. Participants can sign up to complete the event as individuals or teams. There are also competitive time slots where runners compete for medals and all the glory! Later time slots are perfect for those running for the challenge or fun of it. The obstacles include the Warped Wall, Tarzan’s Trapeze, the Human Ladder, New River Shuffle, and the rope swing! New this year, participants can also look forward to the Copperhead Climb, Feel the Burn, and Stock Treatment. Every registered participant will receive an event t-shirt to prove you attempted the challenge, along with a water bottle and commemorative sticker. Spectators are welcomed to enjoy the village of vendors, food, and entertainment. Visit MuddyACCERace.com for registration, more information about the course, update course information and pictures, and to learn more about the ACCE program. Can you rise to the call and handle this muddy mayhem? Follow along on Facebook and Instagram @MuddyACCERace.

 

Jennifer and friend trudge through one of many mud pits at the 2016 event.

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For more information about planning your visit to Giles County or about activities and events, please visit www.gilescounty.org or contact us at tourism@gilescounty.org. For media interviews or visit, we look forward to working with you. Please contact Cora with requests.

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Register Today for the Muddy ACCE Race on the banks of the NRWT

Sept 16 | Register Today for the Muddy ACCE Race

 

The 2017 Muddy ACCE Race is drawing near! The event promises something for everyone, from family fun to the fiercest competitors. Register as a team or an individual participant today for the September 16th event at www.muddyaccerace.com.

The Glen Lyn Town Park in Giles County, Virginia will be transformed into a 5K mud run obstacle course, promising muddy mayhem and fun to all those who are brave enough to conquer the course or cheer from the sidelines. There will be 28 obstacles to master by running, climbing, and crawling along the banks of the New River Water Trail. Some of the obstacles to master will be Claustrophobia, Salmon Run, Floating Bridges, and a Rope Swing to finish off the course with a splash into the New River to help wash off all the mud.

 

Our event is great for the toughest, truest mud run veterans or rookies just wanting to try out a mud run. We have hardcore heats beginning at 10 a.m. for runners who want to tackle the course as best and as quick as they can. Law enforcement officers, fire department members, and emergency medical personnel teams can sign up for these first heats if they want to compete against other departments from across the region. After 11 a.m., runners can run or walk as much of the course as they please, and they can bypass any obstacles they want to skip. Participants will indicate which start hour they want to run when completing registration.

The Warp Wall is one of the first obstacles to overcome at the MAR, it then leads directly into the freezing Ice Bath! Join us on Sept 16th along the New River for the 2nd annual Muddy ACCE Race.

The Glen Lyn Town Park in Glen Lyn, Virginia is located less than 20 minutes from Exit 9 on Interstate 77 at Princeton, WV by taking 460 East just over the state line. The muddy fun is happening less than 40 minutes from Virginia Tech’s campus, and less than one hour from Radford University’s campus.

 

Registration is online and live at www.muddyaccerace.com! Registration is only $50 per person, and you can register as a team or an individual. If you have a child age 10 and under, don’t forget to register them for the Youth Mud Pit for only $10 for all day access.

We strive to make the Muddy ACCE Race a destination event that promotes friendly competition, camaraderie, and teamwork, but most of all, we want everyone to come have fun in the mud!

 

All proceeds from the Muddy ACCE Race go to the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) Program. ACCE is a Giles County and New River Community College partnership that makes college available to graduates from Giles County by covering the cost of tuition for two years at New River Community College.

 

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Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.

For interviews or onsite visits, please contact Cora Gnegy, Tourism Marketing Director. We can arrange and assist with any media needs leading up to the September 16 event.

CategoriesNews by

Tailgating on the banks at Muddy ACCE Race

Tailgating Atmosphere at Muddy ACCE Race

 

If you head out to enjoy a football event this fall, you will likely see game-goers tailgating the event before the anticipated kickoff. The Muddy ACCE Race event has a friendly tailgating energy to it before, during, and after the race for participants and spectators! Plus free parking!

 

Held along the banks of the New River Water Trail in Giles County, this mud filled event will delight, challenge, and test our runners to the limits. The race is open to individuals and teams and comprised of the Main Course with over 25 obstacles with differing levels of difficulty, so runners can choose their limits as they run. The first heats of the day, between 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., are for the hardcore runners wanting to test themselves and for fun competition between first responders and firefighters. After noon, teams, families, and individuals can run or walk the course and be as competitive as they wish. A Youth Mud Pit is also available for the youngsters. If running the race isn’t for some, spectating the race is always an option for joining in on the mud fun.

 

Before the race, runners can meet up with their team members to prepare for the race. Once together, they can go over strategies to complete the course, or they can get to know their competition a little before they all set off to begin the course. Hanging out in the Vendor Village will give you something to do and enjoy throughout the day.

 

During the race, the spectators can cheer on their favorite runners from the sidelines! Once the runners are out of view, spectators are invited to continue watching the muddy mayhem in the Vendor Village via Facebook Live streams. Food is always a central component of a tailgate, and at the Muddy ACCE Race food is available for spectators to enjoy while they root for the runner of their choice.

 

After the race, runners can then grab their much deserved bite to eat. Runners and spectators can come together to celebrate a job well done for helping raise funds for the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) Program.

 

The ACCE Program is a Giles County and New River Community College Partnership that makes college available to graduates from Giles County by covering the cost of tuition for two years at New River Community College. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student needs and funds available for the program. The Muddy ACCE Race event is a premier fundraiser for the ACCE Program.

 

Overall, the race promotes a friendly competition among runners and spectators rooting for their favorite team or runner. Come early and hang out all day. We’ll see you at the Muddy Mayhem on September 16,2017 in Giles County, Virginia.

 

Ready to get your mud on? You can register online or check out muddyaccerace.com/ for more details. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. See you at the starting line.

**

 

Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.

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Local Mud Run Boasts Family Friendly Atmosphere

Local Mud Run Boasts Family Friendly Atmosphere

When people think of a mud run, they may not typically think of a family outing. The Muddy ACCE Race is a fun, exciting event for the entire family to enjoy! Families can run the race together, split up so the children can run in our Youth Mud Pit, cheer on their loved ones, and so much more!

The Muddy ACCE Race is a 5k obstacle mud run event to raise funds for the Access to Community College Education (ACCE) program. The ACCE Program is a Giles County and New River Community College partnership that makes college available, tuition-free, to graduates from Giles County by covering the cost of tuition for two years at New River Community College. ACCE supports as many students as possible based on student need and funds available for the program. The Muddy ACCE Race event is a premier fundraiser for the ACCE program.

 

Held along the banks of the New River Water Trail in Giles County, this mud filled race will delight, challenge, and test our runners to the limits. The race is open to individuals and teams, and is comprised of the Main Course with over 25 obstacles with differing levels of difficulty so you can choose your limits as you run, and a Youth Mud Pit to make it an adventure for either the truest and toughest or the whole family. This year’s event will be held on September 16, 2017, beginning at 10am. The first heats of the day, between 10-11am, are for the hardcore runner wanting to test themselves and for the competitions between first responders and firefighters. After noon, teams, families, and individuals can run/walk the course and be as competitive as they want.

You’ve always told your child to never make messes, well at the Muddy ACCE Race we specialize in dirt and mud. We want children to get in on the muddy fun with our Youth Mud Pit area, with specially designed obstacles for the youngsters to tackle. It is $10 for all day access for children 10 and under with an adult supervising their fun. Don’t worry though, when the fun is over, a hose off station is provided before everyone heads back home.

 

If getting muddy isn’t your child’s favorite thing, they can also watch and cheer on the young-at-heart as they run, climb, and get muddy by spectating the 5k course. Parts of the course are visible from the Vendor Village sidelines. For the parts of the course that aren’t visible, Facebook Live streams will be running in our spectator tents for our young spectators to watch their favorite runners for the entire race!

 

Vendors of varying types will also be in our Vendor Village, where food is available as well as interactive demonstrations.

 

We strive to make the Muddy ACCE Race a destination event people of all ages can enjoy!

 

Ready to get your mud on? You can register online or check out muddyaccerace.com/ for more details. You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram. See you at the starting line.

 

**

 

Giles County, Virginia is located in Southwest Virginia approximately 40 minutes south of Roanoke and just west of Blacksburg and Virginia Tech. With easy access to the New River, world class dining and lodging properties, and historical attractions for the entire family, Giles offers adventure in Virginia’s Mountain Playground™. Come find your playground at our Visitors Center located at 203 N Main Street, Pearisburg, VA 24134 or find us online at gilescounty.org or by calling 540-921-2079.

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ACCE April Column

ACCE April Column

Memories Made at the Muddy ACCE Race

 

Muddy Acce Race day
Jennifer Hockl Mar b- Sitting in a mud pit was better than falling in at the Muddy ACCE Race. The 2017 event will be just as muddy!

Giles County, VA- The weather is warming up and participants of the Muddy ACCE Race are reflecting back on the fun times at the inaugural event. Well over 300 participants made lasting memories at the 5k, obstacle course mud run, held on the banks of the New River Water Trail in Glen Lyn. Each month we bring you a story about either the ACCE, Access to Community College Education program or the Muddy ACCE Race event. As warm weather approaches we are thinking to the 2017 event and Jennifer Hockl of Pearisburg, shares some fond memories of her first time participating.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I have been a resident of Giles County all my life, 39 years and love the outdoors! I went to school in Narrows & reside now in Pearisburg where both my kids go to Giles High School.  However my oldest son is now a student at Virginia Tech after he completed 2 years at New River Community College.

Q: How did you participate in the ACCE Program? A: I was a parent, but I also ran the event with friends.

Muddy ACCE Race 2016
Jennifer Hockl MAR 2016- Jennifer and friend trudge through one of many mud pits at the 2016 event.

Q: Why did you get involved with the Muddy ACCE Race? A: A few friends of mine thought this was a good way to show our support for our kids and community.  Also a great way to see how much endurance we could put ourselves through!

Q: What is the one thing you’ll take away from the ACCE program or MAR event? A: It is definitely something to reminiscence about!! Especially our facial expressions before, during and after the race!!

Q: If you could share a sentiment to those considering the program, perhaps as a student or parent, or considering running in the 2017 event- what would you tell them? A: It is a great way to spend a day with family and friends and a very great way for our kids to get an education with the money raised! I have recruited many others to come join the fun this September!

If you are interested in learning more about the NRCC ACCE program in Giles, please visit www.gilescounty.org. For more information on the 2017 Muddy ACCE Race, www.muddyaccerace.com.

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Muddy ACCE Race Event is Fun Along the New River Water Trail

ACCE March Column

Muddy ACCE Race Event is Fun Along the New River Water Trail

 

Giles County- The unseasonably warm weather has students looking forward to summer and the school years beyond. Access to Community College Education program students look forward to their next year in the program, and seniors in high school are making big decisions about their future. The Access to Community College program in Giles County helps both students and families on the path to academic success. Every month we bring you a story of someone involved in either the ACCE Program or the very popular Muddy ACCE Race event, which is scheduled for September 16, 2017. This month we talk to a runner in the race, Kyle Higginbotham.

 

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself

A: I’m in high school and I play soccer. I am more academic than athletic and I plan on going to college at Radford.

 

Q: How did you participate in the ACCE Program?

A: I was a runner in the Muddy ACCE Race

 

Q: Why did you get involved with the Muddy ACCE Race?

A: It looked like it was really fun and I enjoy running, so it sounded like a great event for me.

 

Q: What is the one thing you’ll take away from the ACCE program or MAR event?

A: It was a great time and I would love to do it again next year.

 

Q: If you could share a sentiment to those considering the program, perhaps as a student or parent, or considering running in the 2017 event—what would you tell them?

A: It made my month. It was so much fun to run in the Muddy ACCE Race and all of the money goes to a great cause.

 

Kyle completes one of the many mud pits at the MAR event forcing participants to get muddy, all for a good cause & a good time.

 

 

Kyle Higginbotham completing the first annual Muddy ACCE Race event. As a high schooler he ran for fun & the experience.

 

 

If you are interested in learning more about the NRCC ACCE program in Giles, please visit www.gilescounty.org. For more information on the 2017 Muddy ACCE Race, www.muddyaccerace.com.

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Volunteers & Fun Competition for Giles ACCE along NRWT

ACCE January Column

Volunteers & Fun Competition for Giles ACCE

 

Giles County, VA- With the New Year, many students are considering their options after high school and those already in college or the ACCE program are preparing for the second semester at New River Community College. Students that are already utilizing the Access to Community College program in Giles County know that the program is helping both students and families along the way. Every month we bring you a story of someone involved in the ACCE Program or the very popular Muddy ACCE Race event. The 2017 MAR is slated for September 16, 2017 along the banks of the New River Water Trail in Giles County. This month we talk with a volunteer of the event, Ed Bradley.

Q: Please tell us a little bit about yourself. A: My name is Ed Bradley and I am a Sr. Operations Specialist at Celanese. My wife, Susan and I, have three young girls. We both have been very active with volunteering; it is a culture that our company is encouraging. Over the past five years, we have been able to help over 50 volunteer projects in our local community. I feel very blessed in this life and love it when an opportunity comes my way that allows me to use my skills or influence to help improve someone else’s way of life. I believe you can never give more than you receive. Every project I get involved in gives me so much satisfaction, from seeing smiling faces, sometimes tears of happiness and just a general appreciation from the ones we get to help.

Q: How did you participate in the ACCE Program? A: The first thing I did was nominate the Muddy ACCE Race as a

Volunteers as part of the Global Impact Month with Celanese, helped to build most of the obstacles along the Muddy ACCE Race course. The warp wall seen above was one of the first that participants had to conquer. Ed Bradley & others formed teams to spur competition & enjoy the event in 2016.

project for our company sponsored Global Impact Month and I volunteered to lead the project. It was easy to convince others to want to help construct the Mud Course after I explained that all the proceeds of the event would go to support a free college education for Giles County students. We had anywhere from ten to fifteen volunteers show up each day (for a week) at the park to help the county crew build some of the obstacles for the race.

After seeing how fun it looked after construction, of course I had to run it. By no means am I a runner, but I was up for the challenge. My wife runs a good bit and loved the idea of it too. So, we each decided to form a team and have a little family competition. Then I started challenging people I worked with to get teams signed up. Meanwhile, our kids got interested and started asking their friends. So, I just started signing up everyone that I could find, by the time of the race we had signed up over 30 people.

Q: Why did you get involved with the Muddy ACCE Race? A: Celanese sponsors what we call Global Impact Month each year in September. We started talking to local officials and schools around July to try and determine the projects we want to help with. I learned about the ACCE program and the mud run this year while speaking with Chris McKlarney and Jon Mills, I was immediately sold on the idea and wanted to help in every way I could. I can’t think of a better thing to get involved in. Giving a college education to our kids changes their life forever. The student’s life, their family’s life and the essence of the program is for the students to give back too. This forever molds their minds and opens their hearts to giving and not just taking from this world. It gives families that can’t afford the opportunity to send their children to college a new outlook on life too. I can only think of positive things that this program creates and I feel very fortunate to get to be a part of it. I’m very proud of Giles County for stepping up to the plate to financially get this program started and will do all I can to get the support of local businesses and corporations to do their part as well. It will only make our community better, smarter, and stronger and help to create a giving spirit.

Q: What is the one thing you’ll take away from the ACCE program or MAR event? A: This program is all about changing lives for the better. It will improve the quality of life of the students that take advantage of it by removing student debt, letting them focus on their studies and not their finances, opening their eyes to giving back themselves by helping others in the community. It gives hope, encourages and inspires people to want to do good for others.

Sign up today for the September 16, 2017 Muddy ACCE Race at muddyaccerace.com

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If you are interested in learning more about the NRCC ACCE program in Giles, please visit www.gilescounty.org. For more information on the 2017 Muddy ACCE Race, www.muddyaccerace.com.