50K COURSE DESCRIPTION

Start to Aid Station #1Slacks Overlook - (5.7 miles) - The race will start/finish at the Sherando Lake Recreation Area, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and George Washington National Park.

Runners will proceed from the start along the park roadway (1.2m) to the north Blue Loop trail.  This is where all the fun will start!  You will proceed UP the (1m) north Blue Loop trail and enjoy great views of the surrounding mountains and the Sherando Lake Recreation Area.  The north Blue Loop trail will intersect with the Torrey Ridge trail, at this point you will go LEFT along the Torrey Ridge Trail.  The Torrey Ridge trail is the most technical section of the course, “Technical” is a nice way of saying “Rocky”J   After 2.9m you will see entrance to the Slacks trail on your LEFT and proceed LEFT and down (.6m) to the first aid station located at the Slacks overlook.  

Aid Station #1Slacks Overlook to Aid Station #2 White Rock Trail (7.7 miles) - After leaving Aid Station #1, you will cross the Blue Ridge Parkway and make an immediate RIGHT onto the White Rock Falls trail.  You will proceed down the WRFT for about 2m where you will see Aid Station #2 across the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Be VERY careful when crossing as the parkway will be open to traffic.  Take time along the WRFT to enjoy the views and sounds of the falls! 

Aid Station #2 White Rock Trail to Aid Station #3 Priest Mountain Vista (14.5 miles) - After leaving Aid Station #2, you will proceed north along the Blue Ridge Parkway for 2.3m where you will reach the entrance to State Route 814 on your RIGHT.  Go RIGHT (DOWN) State Route 814 for 4.5m before reaching the Priest Mountain Vista aid station located just before the intersection of Hwy 56.  This is a great section of the course and a good place to make time early, just don’t over do it!  The views of the Priest Mountain (over 4000 feet in elevation) and the Three Ridges Wilderness Area from SR 814 (a mountain gravel road) are spectacular. 

Aid Station #3 Priest Mountain Vista o Aid Station #4 White Rock Trail (21.2 miles) -Runners will proceed back up the mountain via SR 814 mountain road for 4.5m to the Blue Ridge Parkway, make a LEFT on the BRPW; after 2.3m you will be at the White Rock trail aid station located on your RIGHT.

Aid Station #4 White Rock Trail to Aid Station #5 Slacks Overlook (22.9 miles) - After leaving Aid Station #4, you will proceed along the White Rock trail for .5m where you will see the entrance to the Slacks trail on your LEFT.  This is a sharp LEFT turn and will be well marked, but be alert.  You will proceed UP the Slacks trail for about 1.2m then veer LEFT into aid station #5 located at the Slacks Overlook.  The slacks trail is great single track, you will be climbing most of the way to the aid station.

Aid Station #5 Slacks Overlook to Aid Station #6 Bald Mountain Summit (25.4 miles) - Leaving Aid Station #5, you back onto the Slacks trail and LEFT (UP) for 1m to the intersection of the Torrey Ridge trail.  You will make a LEFT and UP the Torrey Ridge trail for about 1m to the intersection of the Bald Mountain Jeep trail.  Make a hard RIGHT on the BMJT for about .5m where you will see the Bald Mountain Summit aid station on your RIGHT.    THIS IS THE TURNAROUND POINT FOR 50K RUNNERS.

 Start to Aid Station #6 to Aid Station #7 Slacks Overlook (27.7 miles) – Proceed back along Bald Mountain Jeep Trail to the entrance of the Torrey Ridge trail on your LEFT.  You will run along the Torrey Ridge trail for about 1.1m to the Slacks Trail.  The Slacks trail will be located on your RIGHT.  The entrance to the Slacks trail will be a HARD right, so make sure to be alert and do NOT continue on the Torrey Ridge trail.  Once on the Slacks trail you will run down hill for about 1m and this will bring you to aid station #7 located at the Slacks Overlook.

Aid Station #7 Slacks Overlook to FINISH “Sherando Lake Recreation Area (32.5 miles) - Runners will proceed DOWN the Slacks trail for about 1.2m then veer LEFT onto the White Rock Trail.   You will run along White Rock Trail for another 2.5m where you will enter the Sherando Lake Recreation Area.  Once you enter the Sherando Lake Recreation area follow the park roadway back to the start/finish area located at the Lake Beach Pavilion.

*(mile) represents total mileage