The "Lord of the Fork" is a Class V extreme kayak race through the Russell Fork Gorge from Virginia into Kentucky.

RACE: The 2023 RUSSELL FORK RACE will be held on October 28th, the final Saturday release of the season. Participants will need to preregister online as this is one of the biggest and most competitive races in the country. The race starts at 2 PM, with racers starting at 1 minute invtervals. Ladies go first, followed by juniors and then men. Race starts above Maze to the bottom of Climax. Entrants must be experienced with paddling the Russell Fork Gorge, and must have completed at least one practice run this year to compete in the race.

RACE REGISTRATION: Online pre-registration entry fee is $60 through 11 PM on Wednesday, October 25. There will be NO ON-SITE RACE-DAY ENTRIES. The registration will be capped at 120 racers: once we reach 120 registrations, that's it. Register early!

RENDEZVOUS ACCESS & CAMPING: Results and awards will be announced Saturday night at the RUSSELL FORK RENDEZVOUS. RACERS only may purchase Rendezvous access and camping directly from this registration page for a special discount rate. Special Rendezvous pricing for Racers and pre-registered race volunteers: full weekend (Thursday - Saturday) pass for $20. [NOTE: RVs with full hookups are an additional $20 per site, payable upon entry.] Fee includes camping at either the Thunder River Campground fairgrounds or Ratliff Hole and full access to the festival. Online pre-registration entry for the reduced camping and festival access will close at 11 PM on Wednesday, October 25 --- after that, you'll pay the full rate when you arrive at the festival.

FUNDRAISER: The Russell Fork Rendesvous is raising funds this year for American Whitewater, the Haysi Kiwanis Club, and the Breaks State Park. Please donate!

RACE AWARDS & RAFFLE: Awards will be at 10 PM at the festival grounds (Thunder River Campground) right after a band break. The volunteer raffle will occur at this time as well.

Follow Lord of the Fork race announcements and details on the FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE.

Follow the Russell Fork "Lord of the Fork" Race FACEBOOK PAGE for additional information.

For camping and festival details, see the RUSSELL FORK RENDEZVOUS site.

Race Entry fees are collected by the Great Falls Foundation, a (501c3) nonprofit organization that supports a broad variety of whitewater races, recreation events and causes, including the Russell Fork Rendezvous.