Date
3/23/2019 |
Location
Sedalia, VA |
Avg Temps f.
60/36 |
Gain/Loss in ft
7,000/7,000 ft/mile gain 226 |
Highest Elev.
3,720ft |
Start
7:00am |
Surface
Trail, paved, forest service road |
Time Limit
9 hours |
Sunrise/set
7:17am/7:32pm |
Furthest Aid
5.7 miles |
Summary: A course known for its long climb in the middle, followed by its steep descent, and rare flat moments along the way, this course is a mixture of forest service roads, jeep roads and single track, and is an an early season, challenging race. Both a 50k and half marathon distance are run and the 50k course is a multiple loop course, while the half marathon does one loop.
Lessons Learned from Race Reports
- Course starts on a paved road for about a half mile, then jeep road for a half mile, before turning off onto a steeper trail to reach the first aid station at mile 4.1
- Steep pop up to Terrapin Mountain from mile ~22-23, of about 500 feet. Technical, rocky ascent followed by a steep descent from mile ~23 to ~25.5 of about 2100 feet
- On the way down, you have to squeeze through an 18” crack in a rock wall
- The last 5 miles has lots of running in and out of ravines – about 11 of them, so prepared mentally to feel like this section lasts a long time until the finish.
- Tough middle section of a long, 9 mile climb of ~2600 feet with one dip in the middle, followed by a ~2100 foot descent
- The descent from mile 4.1 is mainly on a forest service road – be sure not to go too fast and use it all up before you’ve started the biggest climb and descent
- Don’t forget to punch your bib along the way!
- Be careful on the final creek crossing – you’re excited to finish and likely not paying attention
- Final couple of miles are typically fast, so you can pick up the pace here and into the finish.
Elevation
Total gain/loss: 7,000/7,000
Ft/mile gain: 226
Total climbs: 1×1800, 1×900, 1×2100, 1×500, 1×400 (along with lots of smaller ones)
Course Map/Elevation profile (Strava)
Aid stations
Total aid stations: 7
Furthest distance apart: 5.7 miles
Locations: Miles 4.1, 7.2, 9.4, 13.3, 16.4, 22.1, 25.6
What’s available: Typical aid station fare: electrolyte drink, soda, water and a variety of food items.
Crew access
Access Locations: Goff Mtn. Rd. aid station only, mile 9.4
Pacers
Nothing listed, so likely no
Race qualifiers
None
Race reports
http://www.lazyultrarunner.com/2016/04/2016-terrapin-mountain-50k-race-recap.html
http://crozetrunning.com/race-report-2015-terrapin-mountain-50k-finding-some-identity/
http://peake-performance.blogspot.com/2013/04/2013-terrapin-mt-50k-race-report.html (good pictures)
http://runningcouple.blogspot.com/2013/03/terrapin-mountain-50k-race-report-alexis.html
http://outandbackrunner.blogspot.com/2014/03/terrapin-mountain-50k-race-recap.html
Strava activities and GPX files
https://www.strava.com/activities/1469517117
https://www.strava.com/activities/521409971