StumpJump 50k
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The StumpJump 50k is an ultramarathon in the southeastern United States that features a grueling course of extreme elevation changes and technical trail sections. The annual event takes place the first Saturday in October on the Signal Mountain, Tennessee, portion of the Cumberland Trail. In 2007 the race field was limited to 400 participants to limit the impact on this wilderness area. The race benefits the Cumberland Trail Conference, and in 2007, raised $4,000 for CTC's for trailbuilding and maintenance programs.
[edit] Course
The course is shaped like a lollipop, with a total elevation gain of several thousand feet. Runners leave the stick of the lollipop at mile 10.3, then run a 10.2 mile loop and rejoin the stick at mile 20.5. This means that runners see the first 10 or so miles 2 times, which contains the most elevation change in the whole race. Runners cross Suck Creek Road twice.
The 50k course’s first and last 4 miles are on a jeep/dirt road. For the middle portion of the race, the trail is predominantly technical single track made up of packed dirt and mountain stone, including one section runners have nicknamed the "Rock Garden".
[edit] History and records
The StumpJump 50k was started in 2002 by local trail runner enthusiast Matt Sims as a way to get support for the Cumberland Trail Conference and promote local participation in trail running. Today, the StumpJump receives some of trailrunning’s top athletes including John Stamstad, Josh Beckham and Byran Dayton, who holds the course record of 4 hours 1 min. and 17 seconds set in 2005. Sarah Keller holds the women’s record with a time of 4:57:19.
