New Race back East

Following is an announcement (which you may have seen if you are on the Ultralist) for a new race that Clark Zealand is pulling together. I was back for Mt. Masochist and saw the profile and map... I'm intrigued and thinking about heading out for the inaugural race this October. Give it a look see!

Post from Clark:
Thank you to all who have inquired about Virginia’s newest 100 miler. Since my last email I have been inundated with questions about the details of the GRINDSTONE 100. Those who came to the MMTR saw a really impressive (or scary) elevation profile…along with the other Beast Series events. BTW, Beast Series event #2, Terrapin Mtn (March 29), is now both a full and ½ marathon…and the application will be ready soon…

So, in a collective response here are some facts about Grindstone:

Grindstone 100 (race #4 in the Beast Series); an advanced-level 100 miler with qualifications and trail work requirements
Date: October 3-5, 2008
Start/Finish: Camp Shenandoah, Boy Scouts of America Camp near Swoope, VA
Start time: Friday, October 3 at 6pm.
Overall Cutoff Time: October 5 at 8am (38 hours)
Aid Stations: 14 or 15 fully stocked aid stations including 1 or 2 medical stations
Course: One complete loop with an out & back from the Start/Finish on a combination of single track and USFS road and following, among others, the North Mtn Trail, Shenandoah Mtn Trail, & Wild Oak National Recreation Trail.
Course Area: George Washington National Forest, North River Ranger District & Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries, Little North Mtn Wildlife Management Area.
Areas of interest on course: Elliott Knob, Jerkemtight Road, Southern Traverse, Confederate Breastworks, Mtn House, Camp Todd, Grindstone Mtn, & Chimney Hollow
Elevation change: 26,004 gain & 26,004 loss
High Point: Elliot Knob, 4463 feet (which you visit twice!)
Pre/post race activities: There will be a pre-race lunch with briefing and a post-race breakfast with awards. The camp has a large dining hall, fireplace lounge, as well as camping, swimming, & campfire areas.
Awards: Finisher awards including the traditional but really cool Grindstone Belt Buckle, special awards to top finishers and age groups and, of course, best blood.
Entry fee: $200 and increasing upon subsequent dates…
Application available date: April Fools’ Day!

Those with National Geographic Map #791 (Staunton, Shenandoah Mtn) should be able to follow the course without too much difficulty. If you’re interested in more details on the course itself, please contact me off-list at czealand@eco-xsports.com

Here’s a link to some photos on the course…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8977494@N08/sets/72157601901113550/

Please be patient while the website (www.eco-xsports.com) is completed in order to provide more information.