WV Winter Solstice Endurance Run

Event overview

The WV Winter Solstice Endurance Run takes place on Saturday, December 20 to Sunday, December 21, 2025 in Helvetia, West Virginia (4916 Pickens Rd.). The event is organized by WVMTR and the Helvetia Restoration and Development Organization. It is an all-night, non-competitive endurance run rather than a timed race. Entry is listed as price $0 and the event is open to runners age 18 and older. Runners and their crew have access to the Star Band Hall as an aid station and gathering place. Organizers will provide basic hydration and typical ultra aid station food; participants are encouraged to share additional items potluck-style. The event will track individual and group laps, with small recognition for the most complete laps and the fastest single lap.

Trail and logistics

Participants will run laps of the Helvetia Historic Trail, a 2.9 mile loop that starts and ends at the Star Band Hall. The route follows paved then gravel Old Helvetia Road, a double-track farm road with a hairpin, and an unimproved county road back to town. The loop gains and then loses about 550 ft of elevation. The trail is marked with red circular metal blazes and will be blazed with reflective tags for the event. The course will be run counter-clockwise, and organizers will review navigation on the first laps. Helvetia has limited lodging and facilities; local inns named in the event information include The Swiss Roots Inn and The Beekeeper Inn, with additional short-term rentals located about 8 miles away. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.