Registration is SOLD OUT. But you should still get outside and enjoy some social distance....
In the interest of keeping everyone safer this summer, the Running Rivers Board of Directors has spent the last several months locked away in our attics creating the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge as the premier pandemic alternative to our traditional in-person Flyathlon events. The premise of this new challenge is extraordinarily simple. In short, we implore you to get outside, show off your backyard, and give back to your community by completing tasks firmly in the spirit of traditional Flyathlon events.
How does the challenge work?
Between July 1st and September 30th, your mission is to accumulate as many points as possible doing things that you are likely to do anyway because you are Flyathletes. The more points you accrue, the more incentives you will earn, and the more chances you will have to win extraordinary gear donated by our amazing sponsors.
Wow, that sounds amazing! How do I earn points?
A Socially Distanced Flyathlon wouldn't be a Flyathlon at all without trail running, fly fishing, and craft beer (and/or craft whiskey). So, of course, we have designed several tasks around those core disciplines. But as those of you who have truly embraced the spirit of the Flyathlon know, ours events are much, much more than alcohol-infused, multi-sport-parties held in remote and beautiful places. Through six years of events, we have created an incredibly tight community of Flyathletes and sponsors, and in the process have made a significant difference for coldwater conservation, raising nearly a quarter of a million dollars for on-the-ground projects. As such, we have created several additional tasks that focus on supporting our communities, our sponsors, and our public lands and public waters.
In the table below, we have detailed all of the potential ways you can earn points and what you will need to submit to earn those points. Note that only the running and fishing portions of the challenge are required but they must be documented to have occurred on the same day to count. All other elements are considered "Flyathlete's Choice" and can be completed within the July - September (and likely October) window...
In the interest of keeping everyone safer this summer, the Running Rivers Board of Directors has spent the last several months locked away in our attics creating the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge as the premier pandemic alternative to our traditional in-person Flyathlon events. The premise of this new challenge is extraordinarily simple. In short, we implore you to get outside, show off your backyard, and give back to your community by completing tasks firmly in the spirit of traditional Flyathlon events.
How does the challenge work?
Between July 1st and September 30th, your mission is to accumulate as many points as possible doing things that you are likely to do anyway because you are Flyathletes. The more points you accrue, the more incentives you will earn, and the more chances you will have to win extraordinary gear donated by our amazing sponsors.
Wow, that sounds amazing! How do I earn points?
A Socially Distanced Flyathlon wouldn't be a Flyathlon at all without trail running, fly fishing, and craft beer (and/or craft whiskey). So, of course, we have designed several tasks around those core disciplines. But as those of you who have truly embraced the spirit of the Flyathlon know, ours events are much, much more than alcohol-infused, multi-sport-parties held in remote and beautiful places. Through six years of events, we have created an incredibly tight community of Flyathletes and sponsors, and in the process have made a significant difference for coldwater conservation, raising nearly a quarter of a million dollars for on-the-ground projects. As such, we have created several additional tasks that focus on supporting our communities, our sponsors, and our public lands and public waters.
In the table below, we have detailed all of the potential ways you can earn points and what you will need to submit to earn those points. Note that only the running and fishing portions of the challenge are required but they must be documented to have occurred on the same day to count. All other elements are considered "Flyathlete's Choice" and can be completed within the July - September (and likely October) window...
Challenge |
Description |
What Do I Submit? |
Scoring |
Maximum Points |
Run |
Run / hike any distance on a single day and record your track in some way for submission for points. Additional points will be awarded based on elevation gain on that day. |
GPX file or other documentation (must include date, mileage, and elevation gain) |
3 points per mile, 1 point for every 250 feet of elevation gain |
Total points from one run |
Fish |
Catch a fish (on the same day as your run) and photograph it on the Flyathlon race bib that we will send you at registration. You can catch as many fish as you want, but you only get to submit one for points. |
Single fish photo that includes visible race bib and date stamp |
3 points per full inch of a single fish |
Total points from one fish (caught on same day as run) |
Conservation |
Raise money for coldwater conservation through Running Rivers' FlipCause platform. |
Set up FlipCause fundraiser at registration |
2 points for every $10 raised |
Unlimited |
Beer / Whiskey |
Support your local brewery or distillery by buying their to-go products and document your support. |
Photo or video of your booze in the outdoors |
1 point for every $10 spent |
25 |
Community |
Give back to your community in a meaningful way (e.g. river clean-up, trail work volunteer). |
Photo / video of you helping in your community in some way |
25 points |
25 |
Support Our Sponsors |
Support our incredible sponsors by purchasing their products. |
Photo or video evidence your new gear in action |
1 point for every $10 spent |
25 |
Share Your Adventure |
Submit an amazing blog post. |
Blog post with photos and/or videos |
10 points |
10 |
Submit enough information for us to create a TroutX course (gpx track, thorough fishery description, lots of photos, and a good narrative) and earn bonus points. |
Full suite of TroutX information |
10 points |
10 |
Table 1: The Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge scoring matrix. For more in-depth analysis on how to document everything, click here.
How many points do I need to earn and win cool stuff?
Over the years, the Flyathlon has become well known for its awesome schwag. You can expect the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge to live up to those expectations. As we bring in additional sponsors, extra gear may be added as schwag at each threshold, but Table 2 details what you will receive at each points threshold at a minimum. Additionally, as is tradition, our top performers will receive prize packages from our sponsors. We will also award prizes to our top fish and our best photographs (as voted on by all participants). Finally, at the end of season Zoom party that we will host on October 10th, 2020, we we hold a raffle for gear not given away through the points system (the more points you earn, the more entries your get)!
Over the years, the Flyathlon has become well known for its awesome schwag. You can expect the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge to live up to those expectations. As we bring in additional sponsors, extra gear may be added as schwag at each threshold, but Table 2 details what you will receive at each points threshold at a minimum. Additionally, as is tradition, our top performers will receive prize packages from our sponsors. We will also award prizes to our top fish and our best photographs (as voted on by all participants). Finally, at the end of season Zoom party that we will host on October 10th, 2020, we we hold a raffle for gear not given away through the points system (the more points you earn, the more entries your get)!
Points Accumulated |
Schwag / Prize |
Gear Raffle Entries |
Signing Up |
1 |
|
100 Points |
3 |
|
200 Points |
10 |
|
400 Points |
Custom Flyathlon Jacket |
25 |
Top Three Point Earners |
A ton of awesome stuff from our sponsors! |
+5 |
Fish Awards (biggest, smallest, ugliest) |
Will be revealed later in the summer... |
+2 |
Photo Awards (landscape, fish, and beer) |
Will be revealed later in the summer... |
+2 |
Table 2: The Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge incentive and prize matrix.
Are there any other rules?
First and foremost, don't be a jack-ass. This is a pandemic and we want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Please adhere to all applicable CDC, Federal, State, and local restrictions and guidelines. Maintain safe group sizes and practice social distancing within those groups (this is the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge, after all...).
Be good to yourselves and your community. And most of all, be safe. This is an independent challenge, so you are on your own out there. Plan accordingly.
run. fish. beer. six feet apart.
First and foremost, don't be a jack-ass. This is a pandemic and we want to be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem. Please adhere to all applicable CDC, Federal, State, and local restrictions and guidelines. Maintain safe group sizes and practice social distancing within those groups (this is the Socially Distanced Flyathlon Challenge, after all...).
Be good to yourselves and your community. And most of all, be safe. This is an independent challenge, so you are on your own out there. Plan accordingly.
run. fish. beer. six feet apart.
