The NPCW runs weekly exercise activities, a wellness center, and each year the NPCW hosts or helps with a variety of other events – triathlons, walks, races and, of course, the annual Space Race Rumpus!
Weekly exercise classes take place at the Old Tour Center at Green Bank Observatory. A list of the classes can also be seen on our calendar.
The Space Race Rumpus takes place the first full weekend in June every year in Pocahontas County, WV, which has some of the most scenic roads and trails in the mid-Atlantic. The rides and races explore both the Green Bank Observatory’s unique property and the surrounding area. In addition to being huge fun for the whole family, the Rumpus is a significant fund raiser for the NPCW. Information on the Rumpus is online at http://www.spaceracerumpus.org.
The NPCW also organizes two triathlons each summer (in each in July and August), designed to encourage both new and veteran triathlon racers. Each event is three races in one – a Mini, Sprint, and Sprint Plus. The Mini is 4 laps swim, 5k bike, and a 2.5k run; the Half-Sprint is 8 laps swim, 10k bike, 5k run; and the Sprint is 16 laps (1.5k) swim, 20k bike, 10k run. The event is open to all ages! To aid in training for the events, the NPCW also sponsors the Green Bank Turtles, a swim club for exercise and training. Information is online at http://npcw.org/triathlon.
Beginning in 2025, NPCW is sponsoring an annual Heart Walk in October to raise funds for the Braelynn Peteete Scholarship fund. This walk/run starts and stops and the Green Bank School and takes place during the heart of fall foliage season. You can find out more information on the Heart Walk here.
Also starting in 2025 NPCW is helping sponsor the annual Green Bank Turkey Trot. Held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Turkey Trot is a 5K, 10K race and 1K Gobble Wobble (for kids 8 and under). The Turkey Trot is a major fundraiser for the Pocahontas County High School track team and the William Dilley Scholarship fund. Information on the annual Turkey Trot is available at https://greenbankobservatory.org/turkeytrot/.