RiverRocks Chattanooga, which includes several Rock/Creek races including our flagship Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k, has announced some exciting new changes to its format for 2013.

Most notably, the focus has shifted to a series of elite competitions in a variety of outdoor/adventure sports. With the addition of the RiverRocks Off-Road Duathlon, Rock/Creek events will play a critical role.

“Rock/Creek is excited to be more involved with RiverRocks than ever before,” says Rock/Creek marketing director Mark McKnight.

“We’ll be running a paddling race, of course the classic R/C StumpJump, and a new Duathlon with the area bike shops. Dawson Wheeler, one of our founders, has joined the board and has been involved at every step. Mark my words now: This is going to be the premier outdoor sports games in the world within a few years.”

With the new format, the “RiverRocks Adventure Games” includes the following high-profile events:

1. Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k & 11 Mile Trail Race: Oct. 5
2. Sequatchie Valley Century: Oct. 5
3. Rock/Creek Canoe & Kayak Race: Oct. 5
4. Chattanooga Head Race: Oct. 12
5. Triple Crown of Bouldering: Oct. 12
6. Five Points Fifty mountain bike race: Oct. 12
7. Swim the Suck 10-Mile Swim: Oct. 12
8. Urban Nature 10K: Oct. 12
9. Off-Road Duathalon: Oct. 13
10. ChattaJack 31 SUP race: Oct. 26

Click here for a recent RiverRocks article in the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

What else can visitors expect? Quoting from the press release announcing these changes:

In addition to the 10 sports games, RiverRocks will feature a number of entertainment events including the opening ceremonies on Oct. 2 at Center Park. Over the Edge, an urban rappelling fund-raiser, will be held Oct. 3 at Center Park and the 3 Sisters Bluegrass Festival Oct. 4-5 at Ross’ Landing. The RiverRocks Adventure Games will conclude on Oct. 12 with closing ceremonies including a preview of The Block, a new urban outdoor climbing wall, 30,000 square foot climbing facility and shops located in the heart of downtown.

As you may have heard, of course, Rock/Creek will have its own store opening, Rock/Creek at The Block, this very same weekend. We’ll see you there!