The Grindstone Running Festival 2026 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.

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 100K race, 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.

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.

Runners can expect comprehensive support throughout the event, with multiple aid stations providing food, drinks, medical assistance, and mechanical support. 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.

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.