| Date
11/18/17 |
Avg Temps f.
51/40 |
Gain/Loss in ft
6000/6000 |
Furthest Aid
3.8 miles |
Highest Elev.
1070ft |
| Start
7:45am |
Surface
Trail |
Time Limit
8.75 hours |
Sunrise/set
7:17am/4:29pm |
Longest Climb
700ft/3 miles |
Summary: Part of the Grand Ridge Trail Run series, which features a 5 miler, Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50k, comprised of loops on fairly runnable trails with some technical sections and challenging climbs and descents. The 50k is two half marathon loops and one 5 mile loop and since it’s in November, trails are often covered in mud, slick rock and slick leaves. Overall a well-supported race that often brings out lots of local runners and supporters for a fun day (likely) in the rain.
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
- The course is open to other users, so depending on the weather, there can be a lot of other hikers and mountain bike users, so be respectful of them on the trails
- Climbs are fairly relentless, as you’re either going up or down, and they get harder and harder as you progress, even though the hills are the same as before
- Plenty of aid stations, and with temps likely being wet and cool, be mindful in how much water you carry, as you don’t want to be carrying useless weight when you can fill up at aid stations
- Race tends to be small but feel bigger with other races going on, but the second half gets pretty lonely, especially the last 5 mile loop after you’ve already done a marathon
- Plan accordingly for wet, bad weather, as that could make for a miserably long day if you don’t have great gear choices
- Even if it’s not raining, the nature of the area tends to be humid, as it’s all a thick canopy of trees and leaves
- Easy to get caught up with faster runners doing shorter distances – don’t fall prey to it!
- At the start/finish, there’s ~.5 mile wide, crushed gravel path that each loop starts and finishes with. It’s the flattest section of the whole course and a good spot for spectators.
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 6000/6000
Total climbs: 8 (4 climbs of ~420 feet, 4 climbs of 640-700 feet)
Longest climb: 700ft/3 miles
Steepest climb: 420ft/.7miles
Map/Interactive map/Elevation profile
Aid stations
Total aid stations: 8
Furthest distance apart: 3.8 miles
Locations: 3.8, 6.9, 10.1, 13.1, 16.9, 20.0, 23.1, 26.2 (Bold indicates water only, self-servce aid stations, all others are fully stocked. 3.8, 10.1, 16.9, and 23.1 are all the same aid station. 13.1 and 26.2 are the start/finish)
What’s available: Fully stocked with water, Nuun, Clif product, PBJ sandwiches, fruit, cookies, crackers and pretzels.
Crew access
Access Locations: Easiest is at the start/finish, which is also miles 13.1 and 26.2. Also possible in two other places, one a hike in – see course map for more details. At the start/finish, you can walk the flat section of wide, crushed gravel trail ~.5 mile into the course to see the runners along this section.
Pacers
None
Race qualifiers
None
Race reports
https://teamrunrun.com/grand-ridge-50k-matt-u/
http://www.therunnershigh.net/2010/08/two-hour-pr-tales-from-grand-ridge-50k.html
Strava activities and GPX files
https://www.strava.com/activities/781118062
https://www.strava.com/activities/780889024