Volunteers needed for trail crew

Polk County’s Green River will be the site in a month for outdoor enthusiasts with several races planned around the mountains and river for the first Green River Games.

The multi-sport competition will be held in Saluda on Sept. 6-8 and will include biking, paddling and running competitions.

Organizers are currently seeking volunteers for the Green River Games trail crew to get the trails ready for mountain biking and trail running. Work for the trail crew includes building new bridges, digging water bars, cutting out fallen trees and trail cleanup. Volunteers will be rewarded with gear and store discounts from Green River Games trail partner REI. For more information about joining the trail crew visit www.greenrivergames.com.

The races include mountain and road biking, kayaking, SUP (stand up paddle) and trail and road running.

“With the gracious support of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission this event will showcase not only the river,  but the mountains which surround it,” states the Green River Games website at www.greenrivergames.com.

The races begin on Friday, Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. with The Cove Climb 6k road running race. Runners will begin the race at the Fish Top parking lot and will run along the Green River and up the 17 switchbacks of Green River Cove Road, which will take them 1,000 feet above the river. The 6k race will finish in downtown Saluda, where runners can celebrate with a kick off party. A portion of the proceeds of the cove climb race will help fund school field trips to the Green River game lands for Polk County fifth graders.

“This partnership between the Green River Games, N.C. Wildlife and Green River Adventures will educate students on the value of these protected lands and the recreational benefits they offer,” states the Green River Games’ website.

The field trip will consist of a day in the Green River Gorge that will include hiking and rafting.

Events on Saturday, Sept. 7 will begin with a mountain bike race called the Sunshine Enduro, which is scheduled for 8 a.m. The Sunshine Enduro will feature a steep downhill race where athletes will be timed in three downhill stages.