Plans are in the works for the Canaan Valley Half Marathon and 10k race to debut in 2019. Race Director and Organizer Robby McClung is planning ahead so that all the pieces will fit nicely together come race day.
The date is set for Sunday, April 28, 2019. “I tried to pick a time of year when it was really slow, and occupancies are low, and when the area could use tourism,” McClung said.
McClung commented that this style of event is considered a destination race. A destination race pulls people to participate because of the location of the event. “The race is almost a by-product of their vacation,” he said.
“I think it’s a market that already fits the people who are visiting here,” McClung said. “I’m trying to encourage people to get here on Friday and stay through the weekend.”
As a destination race, McClung envisions many businesses in the area benefitting from the event. “Ultimately, the pitch to get people to come here is Tucker County,” he said.
As a business endeavor, McClung was drawn to organizing a sporting event, because participants are willing to book months in advance. “Sporting events are great, because people plan a long way out,” he said.
McClung is hoping for about 500 runners the first year, and within three to four years raising that figure to about 1,000 runners.
McClung is currently working with Department of Highways. The proposed race route would start at Canaan Valley Ski Resort, involve Route 32, and possibly include Cortland and Freeland Roads. The roads would experience about a 10 to 15 minute delay in traffic.
The race would start at 8 a.m. and end by noon. “There will be about a two mile stretch in Canaan Valley that will be one lane shut down for about four hours,” McClung said.
McClung possesses a strong background in planning tourism-based events and the hospitality industry mainly based in the Florida Keys. Born in Elkins, McClung relocated to the Keys and started working in the tourism industry.
Seven years ago, he started the Baygrass Bluegrass Festival. “That’s kind of where this whole journey began,” McClung said. He still works in the Keys, running two festivals and seven concerts a year.
From there he expanded his events repertoire to include the Isla Morada Half Marathon and 10k. The race is entering its fourth year of existence.
For now, McClung hopes to develop sponsorships, continue advertising, and hammer out the details with Department of Highways.
