Terrapin Mountain 50k Race Info

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.