The 2027 Black River Grand Prix & Epic

Race Information

The Black River Grand Prix returns! Join us on Saturday, June 19, 2027 for the Black River Grand Prix weekend, a celebration of fast racing, big loops, varied terrain, and fun in the woods. The format is simple: mass start on one big lap (or two). Want to race 15 miles (25k) of the best the Center has to offer? Enter the Grand Prix. Think it's so nice you want to do it twice? Then the 50k Grand Epic is for you. And if racing isn't your thing and you just want a signed ride and a good lunch, then the Grand Tour has your name on it.

Whatever your category, this ain’t XCO, this is VT mountain biking - flow, tech, jank, doubletrack, ski trail, and maybe even a dirt road or two - there’s something for everyone. There's even a bit of pavement at the start.

The 2026 Black River Grand Epic field will head off at 10:00am for the 25-mile Epic race featuring nearly all the riding the Center has to offer. Two loops (plus a parade lap!) of nearly all our trails in the most fun layout we can pull off. This is not sufferfest racing, this is the local's loop, routed the way the builders like to ride.

The Grand Prix will start 5 minutes later at 10:05am for those who just want one sweet race lap.

Five minutes later at 10:07AM the Grand Tour riders go off on a mellow cruise of the same loop. The lap never loops back into the stadium, so once you’re gone, you’re gone, though the Grand Epic racers will come back through the Upper Field after their first ~15-mile lap.

First folks back win. The courses will look nearly identical to the 2026 Grand Prix course, with a few changes and reroutes to keep y'all on your toes.

Check out the Race Guide! for more info about this year's event.

Pricing and Prize Purses

The Grand Prix will be $50 for open racers, $30 for U23 competitors, and $25 for juniors (ages 18 and under). The Grand Epic will be $75. The Grand Tour costs $35.

We're still in the process of figuring out prize money. But we will have cash prizes for the top three of each gender in both distances.

We will call up podiums for the top 3 overall men and women, and the top junior (U20) boy and girl. Door draw prizes will be distributed by random draw at bib pickup.

On-site Lodging

Did you know the Center has on-site lodging with meals available? Whether you want your own private cabin, a lakeside cottage, or just a room in our Cedar Lodge dorm, we can meet your needs. A room in Cedar lodge (with three meals included) starts at just $155.

Learn more about lodging info and rates here.

The Trails & Course

Never ridden our trails? Check out these DirtWireTV recaps of a race we used to run (RIP to the VT3) to get a taste of what is in store.

A weekend at the Outdoor Center with DirtWireTV

Sampling the trails pre-race

VT3 race highlights

Event Details

• Date: June 19, 2027
• Location: 535 Lost Nation Rd, Craftsbury, VT
• Website: BikeReg

Previous Year Results & Photos

• 2026 Results: Link
• 2026 Photos: Link
• 2024 Results: Link
• 2024 Photos: Link