The Course

1.) Mountain Bike – Buttermilk & North Bank – Clockwise

• Strava
• RideWithGPS

A Le Mans-style start will kick off this years event. When the flag drops, riders will  run across the parking lot to their bikes jump on and make their way down to Forest Hill Lake. After a quick lap around the lake, riders will ride through the Reedy Creek culverts under Riverside Drive to pick up the Buttermilk Trail.  Take a left to head west on the trail.  The mountain bike leg of  the ‘King of the James’ is slightly confusing and some pre-race knowledge of the course is very important.  There is a ton of information at the RVA MORE SITE LOCATED HERE.  We are including the ‘normal’ Buttermilk Trail west of the Reedy Creek Parking Lot as the beginning section of single track.  At the end of the Buttermilk Trail, you then cross the Nickel Bridge (suggested route using sidewalk) to access the North Bank Trail heading east.  As you reach the gravel road at the end of the North Bank Trail, take the quick up-hill sidewalk towards the Belvedere Bridge.  ‘King of the James’ will be using the Belvedere Bridge to make the 2nd James River crossing on mountain bike where you will re-access the Buttermilk Trail. Bomb down the last section Buttermilk and hang a left back under under River Side Drive. Using the narrow concrete bridge over Reedy Creek, make your way up the steep climb to Forest hill Park. BE CAREFUL OF CARS!

2) Trail Run – Forest Hill Loop – Counter Clockwise

• Strava
• RideWithGPS

Leaving the Forest Hill staging area on foot, racers run counter clockwise through Forest Hill Park.  Continue on the Forest Hill Trail as it loops around park.  For more information on this trail, check out the RVA MORE Forest Hill Park Trail site for more information.  As you exit Forest Hill Park at Riverside Drive, cross under the road one more time, using the culverts. Continue running in the creek and under the railroad tracks using a second set of culverts. Hop out of the creek before you run into the James.  Make your way to the boats staged at Reedy Creek Meadow.

3.)  Whitewater Kayak – Falls of the James River – Straight Down the Middle

***WHITEWATER BOATS ONLY. NO SEA KAYAKS, WILDWATER BOATS OR RECREATION KAYAKS. IF YOUR BOAT IS OVER 4 METERS AND/OR HAS A KEEL, YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED***

At this point, you have made it through the mountain bike and trail run portion of  the ‘King of the James’.  You’re tired.  You’re exhausted.  Now you will have to descend the James River and it’s many difficult rapids.  If at this part of the race you are too tired, please consider not paddling.

For those still continuing, ‘King of the James’ will use these rapids as part of the event. 1st Break, Approach, Corner, Hollywood, Hollywood Shoals, X’s, 2nd Break (ferry towards Pipeline), Pipeline. After Pipeline, paddle towards 14th Street Whitewater Take Out (THANKS RICHMONDOUTSIDE.COM).  You finish when your boat hits the steps at the take-out.

Relax and sit back.  Take a breather.  You just finished the ‘King of the James’.  We will all gather here, safe & sound, at the 14th Street Take Out and make sure all participants have finished.  Shuttles will be provided one van load at a time back to Forest Hill Park where the bikes are already waiting. No need to go down to Reedy Creek for anything All of your gear is at Forest Hill.

***REMEMBER!  YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AT THE ‘KING OF THE JAMES’.  IF YOU SEE ANOTHER IN NEED OF HELP, PLEASE HELP!!!***

The James River Park will be the playground for the King of the James Adventure Triathlon 2022. Individuals and teams will battle it out as they mountain bike Buttermilk and North Bank Trails, run the Forest Hill Trail loop, and paddle the urban whitewater found deep in the heart of the city’s fall line. The race will begin and transition in Forest Hill Park.

2021 Results at: jroc.net 
2020 Results at: runsignup.com 
2019 Results at: jroc.net