Grindstone 100 Miler
Encyclopedia
Grindstone 100 miler is an annual 100 mile long ultramarathon
that takes place on trails in Virginia
's Blue Ridge Mountains
, usually the first weekend of October. The race starts at Camp Shenandoah, a local camp of the Boy Scouts of America
. Beginning at Camp Shenandoah, this out-n-back course ascends and descends Little North Mountain
before climbing over 2400 ft (740m) in 4 miles (6.4km) to the summit of Elliott Knob
. The course then proceeds north following the ridgeline of the Great North Mountain range, crossing over to and following the Wild Oak Trail
before continuing north to the summit of Reddish Knob
. Runners continue north to Briery Branch Gap before retracing their steps (without summiting Elliott & Reddish) back along the course to Camp Shenandoah. Runners climb a cumulative total of 23,200 feet (7,140) and descend a total of 23,200 feet on mountain trails before reaching the finish.
All sub-38 hour finishers receive a Grindstone 100 Belt Buckle, and a finishers shirt. First place overall male and female runners will receive the Grindstone Champion's trophy. Special awards are also given out to the top 5 male and female finishers, first place male and female masters (40-49), grand masters (50-59) and male super masters (60 and over) and Best Blood.
Grindstone is the fourth race in the Beast Series, which comprises six races: Holiday Lake 50 km, Terrapin Mountain 50 km, Promise Land 50 km, Grindstone 100M, Mountain Masochist Trail Run 50 miler, and the Hellgate 100 km.
The race director is Dr. Clark Zealand
Ultramarathon
An ultramarathon is any sporting event involving running longer than the traditional marathon length of .There are two types of ultramarathon events: those that cover a specified distance, and events that take place during specified time...
that takes place on trails in Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
's Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian Mountains range. This province consists of northern and southern physiographic regions, which divide near the Roanoke River gap. The mountain range is located in the eastern United States, starting at its southern-most...
, usually the first weekend of October. The race starts at Camp Shenandoah, a local camp of the Boy Scouts of America
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
. Beginning at Camp Shenandoah, this out-n-back course ascends and descends Little North Mountain
North Mountain (Virginia-West Virginia)
North Mountain is a mountain ridge within the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians in the U.S. states of Virginia and West Virginia.-Geography:North Mountain spans from the Potomac River in the north to the community of Green Spring in Frederick County, Virginia in the south. The ridge is divided into...
before climbing over 2400 ft (740m) in 4 miles (6.4km) to the summit of Elliott Knob
Elliott Knob
Elliott Knob is one of the highest mountains in the northern portions of the U.S. state of Virginia. At 4,463 feet , the peak is located on the ridge known as Great North Mountain. A small, naturally growing stand of spruce trees are on the summit, indicating that the altitude is just high enough...
. The course then proceeds north following the ridgeline of the Great North Mountain range, crossing over to and following the Wild Oak Trail
Wild Oak Trail
The Wild Oak Trail is a National Recreation Trail located in the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians in Central Virginia. It is part of George Washington National Forest. The trail is a loop, and begins at the headwaters of the North River, and traverses up to several ridge tops...
before continuing north to the summit of Reddish Knob
Reddish Knob
Reddish Knob of Shenandoah Mountain is one of the highest points in Virginia, rising . No other peak rises higher to the northeast before New York's Catskills...
. Runners continue north to Briery Branch Gap before retracing their steps (without summiting Elliott & Reddish) back along the course to Camp Shenandoah. Runners climb a cumulative total of 23,200 feet (7,140) and descend a total of 23,200 feet on mountain trails before reaching the finish.
All sub-38 hour finishers receive a Grindstone 100 Belt Buckle, and a finishers shirt. First place overall male and female runners will receive the Grindstone Champion's trophy. Special awards are also given out to the top 5 male and female finishers, first place male and female masters (40-49), grand masters (50-59) and male super masters (60 and over) and Best Blood.
Grindstone is the fourth race in the Beast Series, which comprises six races: Holiday Lake 50 km, Terrapin Mountain 50 km, Promise Land 50 km, Grindstone 100M, Mountain Masochist Trail Run 50 miler, and the Hellgate 100 km.
The race director is Dr. Clark Zealand
Clark Zealand
Clark Zealand is a Canadian ultramarathoner and CXO of trail running and event management company eco-x. Zealand currently resides in Forest, Virginia, but is originally from Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. Zealand has been running most of his life. From an early age he began putting in long miles and...