50 Miler Aid Stations

Notes: 1- Bathrooms, 2-Water/Gatorade only 

 13 HOUR TIME LIMIT

 50K Aid Stations

Note: 1-Bathrooms, 2-Water/Gatorade only 

9 HOUR TIME LIMIT 

Directions to Crews

Crews must not provide aid to their runner in non-crew access points.  Crew vehicles will have an assigned number corresponding to their runner: this number MUST be displayed on the vehicle at all times.  Since crews will be driving around the racecourse, RUNNERS MUST PAY ATTENTION TO CARS, and CREW MEMBERS MUST PAY ATTENTION TO RUNNERS ON THE ROAD.  The first concern of the race management is safety, so any unsafe behavior by crewmembers will result in disqualification of the runner.

Parking

The Bel Monte Endurance Run takes place in the George Washington National Forest.  Our use permits for these trails and for the Blue Ridge Parkway depend on the behavior of the race participants and crew members.  Parking on roadways is PROHIBITED.  The information below indicates where to park at each crew access point. DO NOT PARK ON THE BLUE RIDGE PARWAY under any circumstances!  Please park only in the assigned areas.  Failure to comply with these rules will results in disqualification of the runner. 

CLICK HERE FOR A PDF FILE WITH DRIVING DIRECTIONS AND MAPS  

Driving Directions 

Note: 25K runners can be met at aid station #1 (Slacks Overlook) and #3 (Sherando Lake East).  See directions below.

Directions to the Start/Finish
From the East (Richmond and Washington D.C.):
•    Take HWY 64 West toward Waynesboro and Staunton.  Take exit 96, route 624 to Lyndhurst/Waynesboro and Sherando Lake.  This is the exit immediately after the Shenandoah National Park.
•    At the end of the ramp, take a left (going back under the freeway) on Mt. Torry Rd. toward Lyndhurst.
•    Read “For Both Directions”.
From the West (Roanoke and West Virginia):
•    Take HWY 81 North or South to HWY 64 East.
•    Take exit 96 to Lyndhurst and Waynesboro.
•    Turn right on Mt. Torry Rd toward Lyndhurst.
•    Read “For Both Directions”.
For Both Directions:
•    Remain on this road.  Be alerted that the speed limit changes to 45mph and it’s very often enforced by police.
•    After about 5 miles, the road will split.  Stay on the left on 664 toward Sherando Lake.  In the residential areas, the speed limit is 35mph.
•    You will stay on this road for approximately 8 more miles, passing the town of Sherando.
•    Proceed toward the mountains and you will see the sign for the entrance to Sherando Lake Recreation Area.  The entrance will be on your right following the sign.
•    Enter the recreation area and proceed into the park.  Remain on the main road until the road climbs uphill and takes a sharp right.  Please, park at the first parking area on your right by the beach area.  If this area is full, there are many other lots very close to the Start/Finish (see Sherando Lake Recreation Area map).  The Start/Finish is at the main lake beach pavilion.  This is also the location of the bathrooms.

Start/Finish to Aid Station #1, Slacks Overlook:
•    Exit the Sherando Lake Recreation area.  Turn right onto Route 664.
•    After a few miles, route 664 will turn left towards Reeds Gap and the Blue Ridge Parkway. DO NOT FOLLOW 664.
•    Instead, continue straight onto route 814: route 814 will cross the Blue Ridge Parkway after a few miles.
•    Once on the Blue Ridge Parkway, turn right or southbound. Please watch out for runners, since they will be running on AND crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway at several locations.
•    Continue on the Blue Ridge Parkway: you will see mile markers on your right every mile. Just beyond mile 18 you will see the White Rock Trail aid station (#2) on your right.  THIS IS NOT A CREW ACCESS, SO DO NOT STOP HERE.
•    Continue on the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Just before the mile 20 mile post you will see Aid Station #1 on your right, Slacks Overlook. You will notice the “Overlook Ahead” sign. The Aid Station will be located on your right in the Parking area.
•    Parking: Please park in the Slacks Overlook parking area ONLY, not on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
•    SLACKS OVERLOOK IS ALSO AID STATION #5, THE NEXT CREW ACCESS LOCATION.

Aid Station #1 (Slacks Overlook) to Aid Station #3/9, Kennedy Ridge Trail- Coal Mt. Rd.: (Please note that for 2010 the crew access has been changed to Turkey Pen.  Follow directions below to the Turkey Pen Trail)

•    Exit the Slacks Overlook and turn left northbound onto the Blue Ridge Parkway (the way you came).  Once again, please watch out for runners.
•    Turn left onto Route 814 towards Sherando Lake.  Continue on Route 814 down the hill: this will turn into Route 664 as you approach Sherando (you are retracing your steps back to Sherando Town).  Continue on Route 664. You will pass the entrance to Sherando Lake Recreation Area: continue straight on Route 664.
•    Shortly after the entrance to Sherando Lake there will be a gas station on your left.  IMMEDIATELY beyond it you will see Coal Rd/ SSR 42 on your left: turn left onto this GRAVEL road.
•    You will also see signs to the George Washington National Forest and a National Forest sign for “Big Levels”.
•    Keep driving on this main gravel road and do not take any side road or trail.
•    After about 1 mile, you will see a large parking area on your left.  This is the location of Aid Station #10, Turkey Pen Trail.
•    Drive for about 5 miles on this gravel road until the Kennedy Trail Aid Station.  This is also Aid Station #11.
•    PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR RUNNERS ON THE GRAVEL ROAD.
•    Parking:  Parking is available in the camping area across from Kennedy Trail.

Aid Station #3/9, Kennedy Trail to Aid Station # 11 (#7 for the 50K), Sherando Lake East and Finish.
•    Drive once again northbound on Coal Rd and return to Route 664 and Sherando Town.  Turn right.
•    Continue on Route 664.  You will see the entrance to Sherando Lake.
•    Enter the Park and pass the entrance booth.  Drive for approximately another 2/3 of a mile and you will see the aid station on your right.
•    To reach the finish, continue on the main access road.