Expedition Frankfort: Run | Bike | Paddle is the Explore Kentucky Initiative’s way of showcasing Kentucky’s capital city of Frankfort (our base camp) as the ultimate adventure town! The event consists of a 3.7 mile run, 5 mile MTB ride, and 4 mile paddle on the Kentucky River.
Beginning with a shotgun start, competitors will run a loop around Kentucky’s historic state capitol, past the Governor’s mansion then down Capitol Avenue into the heart of downtown of Frankfort. From there runners will hang a right and face a climb up the incline of Main Street towards Kentucky State University. Once at the top, athletes will turn on to Glenns Creek Road, running past the Frankfort Cemetery, where the great pioneer Daniel Boone is buried, and begin their descent into Capitol View Park streaking towards the Kentucky River.
Capitol View Park is where many MTBers across the commonwealth have come to start their careers. Troy Hearn, CVP’s Trail Gnome and State and Ped/Bike Coordinator has designed a 5-mile course that will leave riders breathless in more than one way. Leaving the transition area, (helmet mandatory) athletes dive into the forest right along the Kentucky River,and ride various terrain across CVP’s trail system. From there riders will take on 1 mile of road cycling across the East-West Connector Bridge to the Old Lawrenceburg Road Boat Ramp.
The paddle stage sets off from the Old Lawrenceburg Road Boat Ramp on to the beautiful waters of the Kentucky River, just under a mile from the Capitol. Paddlers will point their boats upstream, paddling underneath the East West Connector Bridge, up to Big Eddy, and then make a buoy turn. From there they will glide down the river, past the park, capitol, and head into downtown Frankfort - ending up at the Singing Bridge. This completes Expedition Frankfort, the raddest race in Kentucky.
If you just want to paddle that’s what this event is for. The course is a loop starting at the Singing Bridge Boat Ramp (the overall finish line For Expedition Frankfort) in downtown Frankfort, with competitors paddling past the State Capitol and Governor’s Mansion, ultimately making a buoy turn past the East -West Connector Bridge, and back to the Singing Bridge Boat Ramp.
*This page will be added to and updated as the event approaches*
Event staging takes place on Friday from 5-7 P.M and from 6 A.M - 7:30 A.M at Capitol View Park. Run staging opens at 7:45 A.M. Please try and drop off your kayak/Canoe/SUP and bike at the event site during the Friday staging time.
We are not responsible for late arrivals and hold the right to refuse any entry after the staging/transition area is closed. Bikes and kayaks/SUP’s/etc. must be placed in proper location during the allotted staging time. Please respect the event management and volunteers, profanity will not be tolerated, along with any type of littering. Automatic Disqualification to any athlete that throws any type of refuse on the course at any point. We ask that you please leave no trace and put garbage in the designated bins.
Timing will be provided by Vindura Adventure Racing Team.
Kentucky State Capitol: 700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY
Old Lawrenceburg Road Boat Ramp: 1096 Old Lawrenceburg Rd, Frankfort, KY
Capitol View Park: Corner of State Hwy 676 & Glenn's Creek Road, Frankfort, KY
River View Park: 404 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY
Sig Luscher Brewery : 221 Mero St, Frankfort, KY
Singing Bridge Boat Ramp: 101 Riverboat Landing, Frankfort, KY
Bush Building: 403 Wapping St #100, Frankfort, KY
During equipment drop-off, vehicles must pull into the designated drop-off area and unload their vehicle and move out to park at an off-site location as soon as possible. Also after the race, participants must use the designated pick-up area to load their equipment. Due to the small event site area, we ask that participants please be prepared to unload and load their equipment as quickly as they can. We will have volunteers available for assistance.
EKI will transport bikes and drop bags from transition area at Capitol View Park to Riverview Park.
March in Kentucky can bring any type of weather so be prepared for clear blue skies,rain, and/or fog. The race start will not be delayed for any weather related reason unless there is severe lightening visible in the area, which would most likely pass quickly. Be ready for the start of the race at 8:30 A.M regardless of rain or fog. If there is a delay it will be in 15 minute increments and announced at the event site, our Facebook Page, etc.
All competitors and spectators are asked to park in downtown Frankfort, use the provided shuttle service, and/or carpool.
Participants can park behind Paul Sawyer Library.
If all parking is full park behind Bush Building.
Friday - 4.24.2020
Equipment Staging: 5-7 P.M
Address: Capitol View Park: Corner of St Hwy 676 & Glenn's Creek Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
Pre-Event Get Together: 7:30 P.M
Address: Sig Luscher Brewery
Saturday - 4.25.2020
Equipment Staging: 6:30 A.M - 7:30 A.M
Address: Capitol View Park
Shuttle begins running from Singing Bridge Boat Ramp: 6 A.M
Location: Frankfort Boat Club
Run Staging begins at State Capitol: 7:45 A.M
Location: Kentucky State Capitol
Racers Meeting (Mandatory): 8 A.M
Location: Kentucky State Capitol
Paddle Stage Only Boat Drop off + Check - In: 8 A.M
Location: Singing Bridge Boat Ramp
Main Race start: 8:30 A.M
Paddle Stage Only Racer Meeting: 8:45 A.M
Paddle Stage Only Race Start: 9:15 A.M
Run Stage Cut-off Time: 9:30 A.M
Bike Stage Cut-off Time: 10:45 A.M
Paddle Stage Cut-off Time: Noon
Expedition Frankfort Awards Ceremony Party: 1:15 P.M
Location: Sig Luscher Brewery
Run| Ride | Paddle participants are asked to gather at the announcers podium at the Kentucky State Capitol for a mandatory racer meeting at 8 A.M.
Kentucky State Capitol Address: 700 Capital Ave, Frankfort, KY 40601
Paddle Stage Only participants are asked to gather at the announcers podium at the Singing Bridge for a mandatory racer meeting at 8:45 A.M.
TBA Address:
PLEASE NOTE: EKI strives to host zero waste events and has implemented a “packet-less” pickup process at registration. Please understand that you will not receive a packet full of miscellaneous products from various vendors. At previous events past years we have realized that this process tends to leave the event with excessive items that never end up being used. Instead, you will be handed a reusable bag and will have the opportunity to pick up select items from event sponsors that come to the registration. We hope you understand this “less is more” registration process.
Please, please, please try and drop off your kayak/SUP and bike at the event site during the Friday staging time. The event site space is limited and there will be LOTS of traffic, so for your own peace of mind, we ask you drop your bike/boat off on Friday.
Athletes are required to supply their own equipment, including bikes, helmets (mandatory), water transportation (kayak/canoe/stand up paddle board/etc), and paddles. Kayak rentals are available through Canoe Kentucky in Frankfort.
This page will be added to and updated as the event approaches*
Camelpak Hydration systems(2) provided by Scheller’s Cycling Lexington.
