Crystal Springs Ultra Races

The Crystal Springs Ultra Races return to Wytheville, Virginia on August 8th, featuring a challenging course through the High Rocks Spur Trail and Boundary Trail loop among others in the picturesque Crystal Springs Recreation Area.
Race morning at Crystal Springs begins early with temperatures ranging between 15.6°C and 26.7°C, creating conditions that are neither too cold nor overly warm for runners to tackle technical terrain and enjoy a scenic backdrop. The trail surfaces are hard and dry, which requires participants to be prepared for varied elevation changes and challenging landscapes.
This event has become an annual tradition in Wytheville since its inception several years ago, attracting endurance athletes from across the region who use it as preparation for other local races such as the Iron Mountain Trail Races at the end of August or the Hokie Half Marathon in September. The race supports the Crystal Springs Recreation Area and helps maintain trails that are crucial to both runners and nature enthusiasts.
The course itself is a loop, with distances varying from 3 hours (Crystal Light) up to 12 hours, each featuring elevation gains and technical terrain along High Rocks Spur Trail and Boundary Trail loops. Participants start at different times: the 6-hour race starts at 8 AM while the longer 12-hour option begins earlier at 6 AM.
Typically in August, expect moderate winds averaging around 7.8 km/h with a humidity level of approximately 75%, making for comfortable conditions despite high UV levels and slight precipitation risks due to an average rainfall of about 2.7mm daily. The sun shines brightly for roughly ten hours each day during this period.