The light on the top is Stewart’s Hill, the first of many hills at the Hill Raiser Endurance Challenge.
Name of race: Hoorah 2 Heroes Law Enforcement Hill Raiser Endurance Challenge

When held: Last weekend in February. In 2017, there were Saturday night and Sunday morning races. Plans in 2018 include these races, a mountain bike course and a high school race.

Where held: The Highlands in Ohio County, W.Va.

This is the course. The miles aren’t accurate and neither is the time as I had auto-pause enabled. But yes, there were lots of hills.
Course description: Looping 6-mile course on trails made by the Hoorah 2 Heroes members. It was very muddy and very hilly. Jay, the race organizer, describes it as very technical trails. There are some streams you’ll cross but they are only a few inches deep.

The last hill of the course was named after West Liberty University Police captain Tom Hostutler who died of a heart attack in 2016.
Members of the West Virginia State Police hold the sign honoring the late 1st Sgt. Joseph Portaro who died during a training exercise at the state police academy. From Ron Predetto Photography.


Unique race characteristics: Each hill and a plateau is named after a law enforcement officer who has passed away. All of them died unexpectedly, many of a heart condition. Also you get to see a lot of law enforcement vehicles, fire trucks, etc. Many of the Hoorah 2 Heroes members are on the course sporting kilts, an ode to their leader Jay, formerly from Great Britain. 

All the two-day races were required to bring a pack filled with safety gear for the night shift. They weren’t required for the day run but many two-day participants brought them.

Course Requirements: During the night race, participants are required to bring a pack filled with safety gear. The list included safety whistle, red glow stick, hydration, snack, wind-proof running jacket, hat, gloves, and buff.

Post-race food: The night race featured Black Rifle coffee, hot chocolate, water, chili and cookies. The morning race had Black Rifle coffee (smooth, great veteran-made coffee), eggs, sausage, hashbrowns, muffins, water, and doughnuts.

My Hill Raiser awards.

Awards: Each person who completed the night race received a H2H patch as they finished. If you completed both days, you received a plaque featuring a H2h challenge coin. The wood is from an old barn along the course route, at the bottom of Stewart’s Hill. There are also awards for the top male and female, top military finisher (can be veteran), top morning challengers, top H2h finishers, top law enforcement finishers, top first responders, and an award for the person who best demonstrates the spirit of the race. All the categories have a male and female award.

Who it benefits: The American Heart Association