World-class riders compete on a challenging course designed by one of
the pros, Jeff Lenosky.
Article updated: 8/2/2010 10:53:14 AM
This year, Sports Backers and Venture Richmond are teaming up to bring the community a unique mix of sports, music and fun, set against the backdrop of Richmond’s downtown riverfront. It all starts on Friday with live music...a Mud Run...and an acrobatic freestyle bike competition. On Saturday, athletes from around the region square off in high-adrenaline activities both in and around the river—like the James River Scramble trail run, mountain biking, kayaking and much more. Here’s a breakdown of the events and how you can get involved.
RUNNING EVENTS (register online)
Filthy 5k Mud Run
Friday, May 14
Get down and dirty with your friends and family for this 5k race across Richmond’s Belle Isle. Throughout the course, participants plow through several unique obstacles and into a mud pit just before crossing the finish line on Brown’s Island.
James River Scramble 10k
Saturday, May 15
This one of a kind off-road trail run features steep climbs, rock hopping, and magnificent river views. It is open to all participants who are up for a challenge.
BIKING EVENTS
Freestyle “Slopestyle”
Friday, May 14
World-class riders compete on a challenging course designed by one of the pros, Jeff Lenosky. Scoring is based on a combination of speed and quality of jumps. There will be qualifying and a final round.
Freestyle “Best Trick”
Saturday, May 15
Freeriders challenge the laws of gravity as they throw 360 tailwhips and backflips in this best trick contest.
Urban Assault Mountain Bike Race
Saturday, May 15
Competitors can choose between the 8-mile or 15-mile loop of the famous James River Park trails, considered one of the most technically challenging urban trail systems in the country. The mountain bike course includes steep up hill and downhill single track trails, stairs over railroad tracks, tunnels, bridges, creek crossings and many other natural obstacles.
KAYAKING EVENTS
Red Bull Canal Crashers
Friday, May 14 and Saturday, May 15
New this year, kayakers will launch themselves down a ramp and perform backflips and spins while trying to land upright in the canal. The qualifying round will take place on Friday and finals will follow on Saturday.
Boatercross
Saturday, May 15
Heats of four kayaks will race head to head down the James River’s turbulent Brown’s Island rapid. The top two boats advance to the next round. In the end, the final four competitors will duke it out in the championship round of Boatercross.
ULTIMATE AIR DOG EVENTS
Catch It!
Friday, May 14
Canines go paws to the wall to prove who is top dog! In the Fetch It! competition, dogs run down a dock and fly into a 25-foot pool chasing after a suspended bumper. Two jumps for each dog are judged by distance, and the dog must catch or knock off the bumper to qualify. Finals will be held on Friday.
Fetch It!
Saturday, May 15
Canines go paws to the wall to prove who is top dog! In the Fetch It! competition, dogs run down a dock and fly into a 25-foot pool chasing after a suspended bumper. Two jumps for each dog are judged by distance, and the dog must catch or knock off the bumper to qualify. Finals will be held on Saturday.
Ultimate Air
Saturday, May 15
Man’s best friends will launch themselves down a runway into a 25-foot pool trying to get as much air as possible. No fetching skills needed in this event. There will be qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday. Finals will be on Saturday.
Spectator Heaven
During the two-day festival celebrating Richmond’s active river life, there are lots of athletic events to participate in, but that’s not all. The planning committee intentionally provided plenty of spectator activities so you don’t have participate in an event to enjoy everything that will be going on. In fact, everyone enjoys some good music and with two big acts like Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and the Robert Randolph and the Family Band, it’s going to be rocking.
Twenty-six-year-old multi-instrumentalist Grace Potter heads the Vermont-based, bluesy and soulful rock outfit Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, who are set to play Friday night at 8:30 p.m. following performances by local Richmond opening acts. On Saturday night, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, a funk and soul group fronted by the pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph, will take the stage at 9 p.m.
“We are thrilled to host such amazing musical talent at this year’s festival,” says Dominion Riverrock Co-Founder Jeff Fitch. “We went after both of these acts specifically because we believe they capture the spirit of Dominion Riverrock and will really round out this outdoor sports and river life celebration.”
Get the Picture
In addition to lots of fun events and great music, there’s a photo contest that anyone can enter, from beginner to professional. All you have to do is register online at www.dominionriverrock.com and you’re in! The photo is only limited by your imagination. It can be of a personality at the event, a competition, a venue, whatever inspires you. A panel of judges will be looking for the one overall image that captures the spirit of Dominion Riverrock. Cash prizes beginning at $500 will be awarded to first, second and third place contestants. The winning photos will also be featured in SBQ magazine and displayed on the Dominion Riverrock website.
DominionRiverRock.com
Article first appeared in SBQ Issue #14, May/June | 2010
