James River Rush 2026

Description

The James River Rush is Richmond’s only urban triathlon: run trails, bike singletrack, paddle Class III+ whitewater. Born from the legendary King of the James, this Nov 9 race brings community, rad trails, a little chaos, and the power of the river to an official competitive format. Race individually or as a team!

Starting and finishing at the 14th Street takeout upper lot, the James River Rush winds through the city and into the shaded woods of the James River Park System. Riders hit Richmond’s legendary singletrack—Northbank and Buttermilk—laced with switchbacks, roots, creek crossings, and the kind of rhythm that built our MTB reputation. From there, a gritty trail run through the heart of the park keeps the momentum rolling. The finale? Pure unadulterated RVA whitewater. Paddlers charge Class III+ rapids from Reedy to 14th, dropping Hollywood, slicing Pipeline, and hammering the whitewater core of downtown. It all ends with a post-race party at Riverside Outfitters only RVA can deliver.

This years course will be the exact same as last year's KOTJ Course and can be found HERE.

The James River Outdoor Coalition (JROC) hosts this race each year to raise money for our park. Founded in 1997, we’re a Richmond nonprofit dedicated to improving the James River Park System through volunteer projects, community support, and education. From building trails and kiosks to protecting access and enhancing park experiences, JROC works to steward this natural gem of a green space right in the heart of the city. If you love the river like we do, join us!