Updated September 23, 2024
The Grindstone Running Festival 2025 by UTMB, is a premier event for trail running enthusiasts. Held in the breathtaking landscapes of the Shenandoah Valley, this festival offers runners a chance to traverse some of the most challenging and scenic trails on the East Coast. Strambecco rates the Grindstone Running Festival as one of the Best Trail Running Race Events in the Mid-Atlantic and one of the Best Trail Running Race Events in Virginia. With its diverse range of distances, including a 100M, 100K, 50K, and 21K, this event is designed to push participants to their limits while offering stunning views of fall foliage and mountain landscapes. The event is also a Western States 100 Qualifier.
Event Course & Info
The Grindstone Running Festival features four unique races, each offering a distinct challenge. The 100M race is a true test of endurance, taking runners through high elevations, ridges, peaks, and valleys of the Shenandoah Valley. This highly technical course includes substantial elevation gains, making it one of the hardest courses on the East Coast. The 100Krace, while slightly shorter, still demands a high level of stamina and skill, navigating similar challenging terrain and elevation changes. The newly introduced 50K race provides a mid-distance option for those looking to push themselves without committing to the ultra distances. The shortest distance, the 21K, is perfect for those new to the trail running community or looking for a less demanding yet still exhilarating experience. Each course is set against the backdrop of peak fall foliage, offering runners a stunning visual experience as they navigate through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
100M Course: Starting at the historic Natural Chimneys, the 100-mile course begins with a gradual warm-up before reaching the top of Narrow Back Mountain. From here, runners enjoy a scenic ridge and buttery single-track down to the Wolf Ridge aid station. The challenge then ramps up with a major climb up Wolf Ridge to Reddish Knob, continuing over to Little Bald Knob before joining the iconic Wild Oak National Recreation Trail. This section covers Grindstone Mountain, Lookout Mountain, and Hankey Mountain, leading to the Dowells Draft aid station. The route then pushes south over Crawford Knob and up the brutal ascent to Elliott’s Knob, the course’s highest elevation. After a 2,000-foot descent down Cold Springs Trail, runners make their way back over Crawford Knob, through Dowells Draft, and across Hankey Mountain via the Magic Moss Trail. After a brief gravel reprieve, the steep Horse Trough climb takes runners over Narrow Back Mountain again and down the Lick Run Trail, finishing right in front of the towering limestone chimneys. This course is a qualifier for both the Western States 100 and the Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Runs.
100K Course: Similar to the 100M course, the 100K follows challenging terrain through the Natural Chimneysarea, Narrow Back Mountain, and Wolf Ridge. The course cuts off before the more brutal sections of Elliott’s Knob, making it slightly more forgiving. However, runners still encounter the tough ascents and technical single-track trails of Wild Oak Trail, Hankey Mountain, and Lookout Mountain, along with several rocky and steep descents. This race is a demanding test of skill and endurance, offering significant elevation gain and tricky trail sections through the George Washington National Forest.
50K Course: The 50K offers a great mid-distance option for experienced trail runners. While shorter than the ultra distances, the 50K course doesn’t skimp on difficulty. Participants will navigate the steep climbs and ridges of Narrow Back Mountain and enjoy beautiful single-track trails. The route includes sections of the Wild Oak Trailand features challenging climbs up Hankey Mountain and Lookout Mountain before looping back through the forest and returning to the festival grounds. This course serves as a great introduction to the more technical aspects of Grindstone's ultra distances.
21K Course: Ideal for newcomers to trail running or those looking for a less intense but still rewarding experience, the 21K route covers a portion of the festival’s scenic and rugged terrain. Runners will traverse the foothills of Narrow Back Mountain, experiencing moderate elevation gain and some technical single-track sections. This course offers stunning views of the fall foliage while allowing runners to enjoy the atmosphere of the event without the physical toll of the longer races.
Runners can expect comprehensive support throughout the event, with multiple aid stations providing food, drinks, medical assistance, and mechanical support. Field limits ensure a well-managed event, and completion cutoff times are set to challenge participants while ensuring safety. Start times are staggered across the races to manage the flow of runners on the trails. Awards and celebrations are a key part of the experience, with unique awards given in each distance and a special belt buckle for 100M finishers. An expo featuring local vendors further adds to the festival’s festive atmosphere.
Participation in the Grindstone Running Festival also provides opportunities to qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals. The top three male and female runners in the 100M, 100K, and 50K races gain automatic qualification to the corresponding UTMB Mont-Blanc events. Additionally, all finishers earn Running Stones, which can be used for the UTMB Mont-Blanc draw, provided they have a valid UTMB Index. Furthermore, the 100M course is a recognized qualifier for the Western States 100 and the Hardrock 100 Mile Endurance Runs, making it a key event for those aiming to enter these iconic races.
Area Accommodations & Things to Do
Coming soon!
Related Events
UTMB World Series is the ultimate global trail running series, bringing the trail running community together through a new, integrated sports system open to all. The unique series unites the sport’s biggest stars and amateur runners through a leading international event series in the most stunning locations. The UTMB World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience UTMB events worldwide, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas. It is the only place runners can begin their quest to UTMB Mont-Blanc, home of the prestigious UTMB World Series Finals. Strambecco covers a few of the US events including Canyons Endurance Runs, Grindstone Running Festival, and Desert Rats Running Festival.
Multi-sport athletes looking for other premier races and events in Virginia and the broader Mid-Atlantic region can take a peek at all of our related Strambecco Best rated event guides.
- Best Road Cycling Race Events in the Mid-Atlantic
- Best Gravel Cycling Race Events in the Mid-Atlantic
- Best Trail Running Race Events in the Mid-Atlantic
- Best Mountain Bike Race Events in the Mid-Atlantic
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