***NEED WS 2012/2013 RESULTS OR PHOTOS? Thanks to Karsten Brown, we have tons of photos form each race. Click here for photos!

Get the Winter Series flyer here. Please be sure to read both sides. There will be a test.  The races will run every other Saturday starting Dec. 1 for a total of eight races, weather permitting. We are no longer taking orders for WS tshirts. Tshirts are now available and will be at the upcoming races. Please pick them up as soon as possible. We don’t want to keep schlepping them around. We also will have Winterize Your Kids While You Run races for children under 10. We even have course maps!

We highly recommend using our online registration system. This really helps us spell your name right and get you the results via email. When you register, you sign up for the race, but you do not pay until race day. Don’t fret if you are not 100% sure or change your mind at the last minute and don’t show up. We would rather you pre-register so that you are in the system before race day. The current race registration link is on the Winter Series drop down menu.

About the Winter Series:  A favorite for 20 plus years, the Winter Series is an opportunity to get outside during the winter to run in beautiful places in the Shenandoah Valley. The individual races have never really been about who comes in first but about how much fun it can be to enjoy other like-minded runners who are not daunted by freezing temperatures and frigid winds. The races are $4.00 for a reason—to keep the fun quotient high and expectations low. We strive to put on quality races but things may be a little raggedy around the edges as we work with novice runners, new race directors, and inclement weather.  We appreciate your patience and even more appreciate your help. We always need help on the finish line, with course marshalling, and often with registration. You can register to assist here. Race day help is also welcome.  There’s a lot of work going on in the background to make these races possible and get the results and photos up on the website. Come join us as we put on fun, easy-going races around the Shenandoah Valley that welcome runners of all abilities.

Entry Fees and Registration

2 Ways to register:

1. On-line pre-registration for each race is available (link is on the Winter Series drop down menu), but you will still have to bring money on race day: $4.00 for SVR members; $5.00 for non-members; $1.00 for students.
3. Show up on race day, wait in line to register, go back to your car because you forgot your money, go back in line, register, get your number, go race.  (per race): $4.00 for SVR members; $5.00 for non-members; $1.00 for students.

Option 1 helps everyone. Saves us a big headache on race morning, and you don’t have to do anything but show up, pay and pin on your number. Cool.

Series Points & Awards:  After each race, runners will be assigned points based on how they finished against members of their own gender – 200 points for the winner, 199 for second, etc. When the series ends, the following awards will be given based on each runner’s six best point scores:  Top five males & top five females overall and top three males & females in the following age (by Dec 31) groups:  10 & under, 11-13, 14-16, 17-19, 20-29, 30-29, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70 & over. There will also be a perfect attendance prize.

Eligibility:  ONLY CLUB MEMBERS WHO HAVE RENEWED THEIR 2013 MEMBERSHIP BY DECEMBER  31, 2012 ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AWARDS. Non-members may join the club at any point prior to DECEMBER 31 to become eligible. Runners must complete at least five races to be eligible for awards. The required number of races may decrease with cancellations. There will be no duplication of overall and age group awards. All awards will be presented at our annual club banquet on March 24.  The Winter Series Director Vern Heavner (vernn2008@gmail.com; 540-327-4331) reserves the right to amend these rules at any time that someone points out to him that he has screwed something up.

Minors:  All minors (under 18) must have a waiver signed by a parent….not a convenient adult who happens to know you but an actual parent or guardian. Please, please, please do not forget the signed waiver if you drive yourself or catch a ride to the race with a friend. We are not mean people. We don’t want to tell you that you can’t run because you don’t have the signed waiver. Please obtain a waiver before you arrive at the race if your parent is not with you. Contact Vern Heavner vernn2008@gmail.com to have one sent via e-mail or download off  the SVR website.

Severe Weather:  Yes, there will be inclement weather. It will snow, it will sleet, and it will be cold—sometimes very cold. Races will not be cancelled if the weather is merely interesting. The races tend to be cancelled only if there is a safety issue such as severe icing or snowfall measurements anticipated in feet not inches.  Events may be cancelled at the last minute on race day due to developing conditions impossible to predict until the snow/sleet/ice begins to fall.  Call the individual race directors if you are unsure about the scheduling of a race; however, you are the best judge of whether or not it is safe to travel to and from an event and run in the event.  We sometimes are able to post a cancellation on the website or on Facebook. Postponed races will be held on the following Saturday, if possible.

PLEASE  ****No Ear Phones ****No Dogs  ****No Strollers  ****Watch Your Children!