Canaan Valley Half Marathon

This is a destination weekend rather than a single morning. The organizers run the half, 10K and 5K on both Saturday and Sunday out of Canaan Valley Resort in Tucker County, so runners can double up through the Conquer the Valley challenge or pick one day and spend the rest of it in the Potomac Highlands.

A road race through a high mountain valley, run from the resort with Allegheny ridgelines in view for most of the distance. The valley floor sits above 3,000 feet, and the rolling roads punish anyone who treats the thin air as a formality in the first few miles.

Late April at this elevation can go either way. Mornings often start near freezing, snow is not unheard of, and the same weekend can turn mild and sunny by the finish. Layers you can shed are the safe call.