Great Appalachian Valley Race

304 Britton Rd., Shippensburg, PA

Run through the beautiful countryside in Pennsylvania! Fast-Finishes.com is known for fun, well organized events with incredible SWAG and event food. For additional information, email race director: Mark Hughes. 

We are always happy to answer any questions you have about our races. Our goal is for you to have the very best possible race day experience. For additional information and race updates please check our website: fast-finishes.com.

• Run on a fast, flat trail through the lush, scenic countryside.
• Walkers and families are welcome.
• There will be food and drink post-race.
• 4 hour time limit for all events.

• Link to the course map.

We are proud to announce that we have a non-binary registration option that has their own awards categories: overall and age groups.


All first time half marathon finishers will receive a plaque that commemorates their first half or full marathon finish. The athletes will also receive their finisher’s medal. Find Mark at the end of the race and let him know you ran your first marathon or half.

We are proud to announce that we have a non-binary registration option that has their own awards categories: overall and age groups.

All first time half marathon and marathon finishers will receive a plaque that commemorates their first half marathon finish.  The athlete will also receive their finisher’s medal. Find Mark at the end of the race and let him know you ran your first half.

AWARDS

Top 1 — Male & Female and nonbinary

Age Groups — Half Marathon and 10k, 5k and Combo platter. Top three in each age group.

• Top three male and female and non binary in each age group
  19 under
  20-29
  30-39
  40-49
  50-59
  60-69
  70-79
  80 over
• There will not be a formal awards ceremony. Results will be live and you can pick up your award as soon as you finish.
• It is the responsibility of the runner to check their results (the link will be emailed as well as posted in RunSignUp and then go to the award table to pick up their award from the staff member on race day.
• There are event medals for each finisher. Please remember to grab your medal from the table if there is not a person handing them out. This will be at the finish line. We can’t mail medals after the event. Unfortunately, we can not mail awards. 
• All awards will be distributed in the finish area immediately after you finish.
  Sorry, but we cannot mail awards after the event.

Saturday: Pickup will be near the Start/Finish Line Day of the event starting at 6:00 AM to race start.

Fast-finishes is proud to support as many charitable causes as part of our mission to help improve people's lives in any way possible. Our charitable donations strategy is to work closely with the permit agencies (municipal, state or private party) and ask them what organizations need financial support for their non-profit activities. A core part of our business mission is to try and help make the world a better place for all people.

We have donated to numerous organizations, including local fire departments, townships, conservation organizations, human relief organizations and most importantly, to organizations that help children in need. After we make sure that our commitments to local organizations are met or exceeded, our favorite national organization is Turnaround Arts. Turnaround Arts works to ensure that every child in America has access to an education rich in the arts. We are happy to contribute as much as possible to Turnaround Arts.

• Link to the course map.

The course starts at the Shippensburg Township Park and follows the rail trail for an easy, flat, fast scenic out and back. All turnarounds will be clearly marked. 

• The course starts at the Shippensburg Township Park and follows the rail trail for an easy, flat, fast scenic out and back.
• All turnarounds will be clearly marked. 
• All runners/walkers are encouraged to carry their own hydration and fuel.
• There will also water and Gatorade at all stations.
• There will be aid stations every 2 miles, starting at mile 2.
• Please make sure to put your garbage (bottles, gels, etc.) in or near the provided garbage cans on the course (just after the aid stations) or carry it to the next station.

We may have about 250 athletes total in all the events.

Pre-race Packet Pickup

• You can pickup your bib and socks between 4 and 6pm on Friday at the event start/finish area.
• It isn't mandatory to pickup your bib early. You'll have plenty of time on race morning starting at 0630am.

Race Morning

• You can check in as early as 6:30 am. If you'd like to start as early as 6:30am for the half, you will be able to get your bib and -.
  
  Courses
• Road crossings. 
• There are five road crossings on the trails. The roads are generally low traffic but please check both ways before crossing. but please check yourself for cars and motorcycles before crossing a road.
  
  Here's the half marathon course map:   https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4057865899
  
  All events are out and back loops. The 5k and 10k events are on the same trail as the half marathon.
  
  The turnaround for each event will be marked with an orange cone, a BIG sign saying TURNAROUND and pink fluorescent tape. The 5k turnaround is at mile 1.55, the 10k turnaround is at mile 3.1, and the half marathon turnaround is at mile 6.55.

Race start times

• The half marathon starts at 8am, the 5k at 8:15 and the 10k at 9:15.
• You can start the half marathon as early as 6:30am. Just see me at the start line if you'd like to start early for the half.
• The Combo Platter athletes will start with the regular 5k and 10k. You will get a different bib number for each event.
• Please make sure you have the correct bib on when you get near the timing mats.

Awards and Results

• Please check your results and possibly winning an award before you leave. I prefer not to mail awards to you.
• There will be live results posted that you can access as soon as you finish on your phone. I’ll send that link to you during race week.
• Your results will be available online within seconds after you finish.
• You can check on your phone. We'll also print and post results near the awards table. Your results will have your age group placement.
• Top three in each category gets an award! There won't be a formal awards ceremony. Just find your result and get an award if you place!
• There is an elevation chart on the map link.
• The course is flat. for the half marathon, from the start to the turnaround, you lose 114' in 6.55 miles. Coming back, you'll gain 114' feet.
• Other timing statement: please stay away from the start/finish area timing mats until it is time for you to start.
• We can fix any timing concern and if you get near the mat prior to your race start, don't worry...but if you can, just stay about 20 feet away from the mats. Thank you!
• There will be early starts for the half starting at 6:30am.
• If you'd like to start anytime before the any of the event’s scheduled start, please see me at the start/finish area and we'll get you started.

Portapotties
There will be plenty of portapotties in the race start/finish area.
 

Finisher's Medal
Get your finisher's medal in the finish chute as soon as you finish!

Post Race Food
There will be sandwiches and cookies at the finish area, as well as food. The sandwiches are turkey, ham and veggie.
 

Aid Stations

• There will be aid stations every two miles, stocked with water and Gatorade.
• Please respect the trail and deposit cups or bottles in the garbage bags near the aid stations. Much appreciated!!
• I’ll also have bottled water on the course where it’s difficult to access the trail with a vehicle. If you take a bottle, please carry it to the next aid station to dispose of the container. Thank you!
• For the 5k race, since the turnaround is before the first aid station, there will be water and Gatorade on a table near mile 1.

All of our events feature a 10% discount on race entry for all service members and their family. Look for the discount code when you register.

Entry fees will include a beautiful Medal and Lanyard and running socks plus:

5K - t-shirt
10K - t-shirt
Half - t-shirt
Marathon - t-shirt
Combo - t-shirt

Additional T-shirt can be ordered for: $10.00.


Park in the park and the surrounding area. There are no designated parking areas.

Fast Finishes is known for high-end, well-designed SWAG at our events. Every entry fee includes the race and our awesome swag and post-race food.

• T-shirt
• Finisher's medal
• fast-finishes ankle running socks

We do everything we can to make sure your shirt size and medal and socks are available. Sometimes items may not be available at your event. Please talk with our registration people after the race or see Mark if you have not received your SWAG! We will address and resolve your concerns to your satisfaction.

Our commitment to you is that we will make good on getting any item that you expect and deserve.