| Grindstone 100 Miler | |
|---|---|
| Date | October |
| Location | Swoope, Virginia |
| Event type | Ultramarathon |
| Distance | 101.85 miles (163.91 km) |
| Primary sponsor | Eco-X |
| Official site | Grindstone 100 |
Grindstone 100 miler is an annual 100 mile long ultramarathon that takes place on trails in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, usually the first weekend of October. The race starts at Camp Shenandoah, a local camp of the Boy Scouts of America. Beginning at Camp Shenandoah, this out-n-back course ascends and descends Little North Mountain before climbing over 2400 ft (740m) in 4 miles (6.4km) to the summit of Elliott Knob. The course then proceeds north following the ridgeline of the Great North Mountain range, crossing over to and following the Wild Oak Trail before continuing north to the summit of Reddish Knob. Runners continue north to Briery Branch Gap before retracing their steps (without summiting Elliott & Reddish) back along the course to Camp Shenandoah. Runners climb a cumulative total of 23,200 feet (7,140) and descend a total of 23,200 feet on mountain trails before reaching the finish.
All sub-38 hour finishers receive a Grindstone 100 Belt Buckle, and a finishers shirt. First place overall male and female runners will receive the Grindstone Champion's trophy. Special awards are also given out to the top 5 male and female finishers, first place male and female masters (40-49), grand masters (50-59) and male super masters (60 and over) and Best Blood.
Grindstone is the fourth race in the Beast Series, which comprises six races: Holiday Lake 50 km, Terrapin Mountain 50 km, Promise Land 50 km, Grindstone 100M, Mountain Masochist Trail Run 50 miler, and the Hellgate 100 km.
The race director is Dr. Clark Zealand