A New Responsibility for the 2027 24 Hours of Appalachia Season
The 24 Hours of Appalachia was built around more than difficult routes, long nights, and the challenge of reaching the finish line. These events also carry a responsibility to the land, roads, communities, and people who make every mile possible.
Beginning with the 2027 season, every driver, co-driver, motorcycle rider, and participating navigator will be required to complete Tread Lightly!’s “Off-Road 101: The Essentials” course before participating in a 24 Hours of Appalachia event.
What Is Off-Road 101?
Developed by Tread Lightly! and powered by BRP, “Off-Road 101: The Essentials” introduces participants to responsible off-road recreation. The course focuses on three areas that are critical to the future of our sport:
• Safety
• Environmental stewardship
• Responsible rider etiquette
The course is designed to help participants better understand the choices they make while recreating and how those choices affect the land, surrounding communities, and future access.
Complete the course here:
https://treadlightly.learnworlds.com/course/offroad101
Who Must Complete It?
The requirement applies to every registered driver, co-driver, motorcycle rider, and participating navigator during the 2027 season.
If a person may operate a vehicle or motorcycle at any point during an event, that person must complete the course. Passengers who will not operate the vehicle are strongly encouraged to complete it as well.
Participants will only need to complete the course once during the 2027 season. Proof of completion must be provided before the participant can be cleared through check-in and permitted to start an event. Submission instructions will be included in the participant briefing for each event.
Why Are We Making This a Requirement?
Access is never guaranteed.
Every 24 Hours of Appalachia route relies on relationships with communities, landowners, tourism partners, public agencies, businesses, and residents. Those relationships can take years to build, but irresponsible behavior can damage them in a matter of minutes.
Leaving the designated route, damaging roads or property, creating unnecessary disturbances, littering, or disrespecting local residents does more than reflect poorly on one participant. It can jeopardize access for everyone who comes after them.
Requiring responsible-recreation education gives every participant a common foundation before the season begins. It also demonstrates to our partners that Backroads of Appalachia and the 24 Hours of Appalachia community take stewardship seriously.
More Than Reaching the Finish Line
Completing a 24 Hours of Appalachia event requires preparation, patience, teamwork, judgment, and respect. The responsibility carried by each participant does not end with their own vehicle or team.
It extends to every road traveled, every community visited, and every person who has trusted us with access.
The goal is not simply to travel through Appalachia. It is to leave every place we visit as good as—or better than—we found it.
Before joining us for the 2027 season, complete the course, retain your proof of completion, and arrive prepared to represent the off-road community responsibly.
Take the course. Protect the adventure. Keep Appalachia open.
