Best of the Best. One Course. One Day.

 
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Aid Stations

There are 9 aid stations for the 50 miler, 6 for the 50k and 4 for the Half Marathon. The longest, unsupported gap is 11.3 miles on the Whetstone Ridge Trail. Aid stations are well stocked with water and Gatorade electrolyte drink, ice, single-serve and pre-packaged food including a wide array of sweet and salty items, fruit, candies, gummies, GU vanilla gels, chips and pretzels. Crew locations are accessible by car: on the Blue Ridge Parkway, always park with 4 wheels off the pavement.

Click here for the Aid Stations

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Cutoffs

Aid stations on the 50M, 50k course will have cutoffs. The cutoff for the 50M course is 15:04 hours, or before sunset. For the 50k course is 12 hours. Please note that cutoffs will be strictly enforced with no exceptions. Continuing on the course beyond a cutoff will NOT be allowed under any circumstance. Please respect the fact that, even unsupported, you are still under the race management's responsibility and respect and abide by the race management's decisions, as it is crucial for your safety and the safety of our staff.

Click here for the Cutoffs

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Drop Bags

We will not ship your drop bags! Drop bags must be no larger than a small backpack: no paper bags. Please label each drop bag with: aid station name, your bib number, your name. Drop bags will not return to the finish until the aid station closes, which will be late in the day for most aid stations. You are welcome to drive to the accessible aid stations to pick up your bag before they close and the bag returns to the finish. Absolutely no valuables: race management is not responsible for lost or stolen drop bags.

Drop Bags Locations

50 Mile Trail Race

The course starts and finishes at 12 Ridges Vineyard. The course has about 9,500 feet of gain and loss. Mile 0-2.4 | grassy path through the vineyard & gravel. Mile 2.4-4.9 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mile 4.9-7.2 | gravel. Mile 7.2-13.6 | pavement. Mile 13.6-24.9 | single track trail. Mile 24.9-36.2 | single track trail. Mile 36.2-42.6 | pavement. Mile 42.6- 44.9| gravel. Mile 44.9-47.4 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mile 47.4-49.8 at 12 Ridge Vineyard | gravel & grassy path through the vineyard.

The time limit for the 50 Mile is 14:04 hours (unit sunset at 8:04PM). The race starts at 6:00am at 12 Ridges Vineyard.


50K Trail Race

The course starts and finishes at 12 Ridges Vineyard. The course has about 5,300 feet of gain and loss. Mile 0-2.4 | grassy path through the vineyard & gravel. Mile 2.4-4.9 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mile 4.9-7.2 | gravel. Mile 7.2-13.6 | pavement. Mile 13.6-24.9 | single track trail. Mile 24.9-26.9 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. 26.9-29.3 at 12 Ridges Vineyard | gravel & grassy path through the vineyard.

The time limit for the 50k is 10 hours. The race starts at 7:00am at 12 Ridges Vineyard.


Half Marathon Road Race

The course starts and finishes at 12 Ridges Vineyard. The course has 2,400 feet of gain and loss. Mile 0-2.4 | grassy paths through the vineyard and gravel. Mile 2.4-4.9 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mile 4.9-6.55 | gravel. Mile 6.55-8.2 | gravel. Mile 8.2-8.7 | pavement. Mile 8.7-10.7 | pavement with 2 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Mile 10.7-13.1 at 12 Ridges Vineyard | gravel and grassy paths through the vineyard.

The time limit for the Half Marathon is 5 hours. The race starts at 9:00am at 12 Ridges Vineyard.


Course Markings

The course is very well marked. However, please familiarize yourself with the general course layout. If you get lost, please retrace your steps to the location where you initially got lost and pick up the course from there. Unless instructed during the race briefing, you should go no more than 1/4 mile without seeing a marker.

Details

  • Orange Surveyor Flags
  • Orange Chalk
  • Orange Arrows on Stakes
  • Pink Ribbon to block "WRONG WAY" trails
  • The road portions, including the Blue Ridge Parkway, will have cones
  • Critical turns will have specific signs, such as "25k LEFT, 50k & 100k STRAIGHT"
  • The night portion of the course will be marked with reflective surveyor flags. These will shine with your headlamp

Please NO DOGS on the race course alongside runners. Dogs are allowed on a leash at the crew access locations.

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