MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER EARLY IF YOU ARE COMPETING IN THE BEAST SERIES

PERMITS: This event is held in accordance with a permit from the U.S. Forest Service, George Washington National Forest, North River Ranger District. Please respect and care for the land that this event is held on to help ensure the future of this race.

START/FINISH LOCATION: The start/finish area is at Camp Shenandoah, a Boy Scouts of America camp. The camp is located immediately adjacent to the Little North Mtn Wildlife Management area and in the ominous shadow of Elliott Knob, located in the George Washington National Forest. The camp property lies in a magnificent setting with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, a small lake with campfire amphitheatre, and a large rustic dining hall, creating a hospitable and beautiful atmosphere for this event. A feeling a solitude pervades the camp area yet it is only 15 miles west of Staunton, Virginia and Interstate 81. National Geographic Map #791 (Staunton / Shenandoah Mtn) is the best topographic map for the area.

ENTRY FEE: $215 before July 1 – $245 before August 1 $275 thereafter. 50% of entry fee is refundable before September 1. For each registered runner, this fee includes eligibility for numerous door prizes, a drop bag service, aid stations, pre-race lunch, post-race awards breakfast, race shirt, finisher’s awards, and a special award to all qualified category finishers. THERE WILL BE NO TRANSFER OF ENTRY FEES & AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, NO REFUNDS.

CORRECT SIZING FOR RACE CLOTHING CANNOT BE GUARANTEED TO THOSE WHO ENTER AFTER AUGUST 1

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: There are two (2) entry requirements for Grindstone that must be completed in the same calendar year of race application and submitted via self-certification by clicking here. The requirements are #1) a live link to race results showing the applicant has successfully completed a 50 mile race or longer (within time limits) not before October 2009, and #2) a self-certified report indicating the applicant has completed eight (8) hours of trail work or race volunteer work. Please volunteer locally for trail work if possible. Acceptable race work can be working aid stations, marking courses, etc. Not completing the self-certification or submitting after September 1 will result in revoking your entry to the event.

COURSE: Beginning at Camp Shenandoah, this out-n-back course ascends and descends Little North Mtn before climbing over 2400ft in 4 miles to the summit of Elliot Knob. The course then proceeds north following the ridgeline of Great North Mtn crossing over to and following the Wild Oak National Recreation Trail before continuing north to the summit of Reddish Knob. Runners continue north past Briery Branch Gap to Gnashing Knob before retracing their steps (without summiting Elliott & Reddish) back along the course to Camp Shenandoah.

WEBCAST: There will be a live webcast beginning at 6:00 PM on Friday and continuing for the duration of the Grindstone 100 at www.eco-xsports.com. Remember, it could be a long wait during updates to see your runner but we’ll do our best to keep you informed!

AID STATIONS: There will be 15 aid stations with variegate segment distances due to the remoteness of some parts of the course. Drop bags will be available at six (6) aid stations.

CREWS & PACERS: Due to access difficulty for some aid stations there will be crew access ONLY at six (6) aid stations. Pacers are allowed (one at a time) for all runners beginning from Briery Branch Gap (outbound mile 50) to the finish. If you do not pick-up a pacer at Briery Branch you can only do so at subsequent aid stations where crews are allowed. Please keep in mind MULING will not be tolerated.

CUT-OFF TIME:38 hour time limit! The entire course will be officially closed at 8:00 AM on Sunday. Aid station cut-off times will include a 10-minute flex before North River Gap (return trip). Including North River Gap and after all aid stations cut-off times will be strictly enforced.

COURSE RECORDS: Women’s – Sandi Nypaver, 23:05:28 (2009); Men’s – Karl Meltzer, 18:46:26 (2009)

ACCOMMODATIONS: At the start/finish area of Camp Shenandoah there is an open field and parking area to camp. There are also tent platforms to use.  The closest hotels are around Staunton.

PRE-RACE CHECK-IN: Runners can pick up their race packet & number from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Friday in the Dining Hall. Runners may need to submit to a medical assessment at time of check-in.

PRE-RACE LUNCH: There will be a light lunch served at 12-noon in the dining hall.

PRE-RACE BRIEFING: There will be a MANDATORY pre-race briefing at 1:00 PM for all runners. Crew members are encouraged to attend. RACE BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 6:00 PM.

POST-RACE BREAKFAST: There will be a post-race breakfast (included in entry fee) in the Dining Hall beginning at 8:30 AM. The cost of this breakfast for non-entrants is $TBD.

AWARDS: All sub-38 hour finishers will receive a Grindstone 100 Belt Buckle and finisher’s award. The overall male and female winners will receive the Grindstone Champion’s Trophy. The top 5 male and female finishers will receive special awards. Also, special awards will be presented to the first place male and female masters (40-49), grand masters (50-59), super masters (60 and over) and Best Blood.

AWARDS CEREMONY: Finishing awards will be presented to runners at the finish line. Special awards will be presented at 9:30 AM in the Dining Hall.

NO AWARDS WILL BE MAILED.

TRAVEL DIRECTIONS: Driving directions to Camp Shenandoah can be found at http://www.campshenandoah.org/maps.htm

* Additional information will be sent to entrants by email ONLY after the application and payment have been submitted. Updates will also be posted on the main website page.