Grand Ridge 50k Race Info

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.