Races
Grindstone
Natural Chimneys, Virginia. Twenty-one thousand feet of Appalachian vert. Reddish Knob in the first third. Then a long night on the ridges.
100 mi+20,594 ft-20,591 ft36 hours1,329 ft to 4,341 fttech 6/10Checkpoints per race bookAppalachian ridgesWSER qualifierSeptemberWSER qualifier
Distance100 mi
Gain+20,594 ft
Loss-20,591 ft
Altitude1,329 ft to 4,341 ft
Technicality6/10
Air45°F to 85°F
- Start1,339 ft
- High4,272 ft
- Low1,339 ft
- Finish1,342 ft
- Aid 1 at mile 10.0, cutoff 5 hours
- Aid 2 at mile 20, cutoff 9 hours
- Aid 3 at mile 30, cutoff 12 hours
- Aid 4 at mile 40, cutoff 15 hours
- Aid 5 at mile 50, cutoff 18 hours
- Aid 6 at mile 60, cutoff 21 hours
- Aid 7 at mile 70, cutoff 24 hours
- Aid 8 at mile 80, cutoff 27 hours
- Aid 9 at mile 90, cutoff 31 hours
- Finish at mile 100, cutoff 36 hours
Field, 2025 · 3-year samplescraped
Starters194
Finish rate56%
Median32:09
Sub-243
Geometryderived
Steepest drop1,818 ft-16.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles47 misunset near 18:00 local
Course records
Men19:10:06Mike MCMONAGLE
Women23:31:16Katti JACKSON
The cruxReddish Knob and the Camp Todd to North River Gap night section (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Grindstone runs 100 mi through Natural Chimneys Park, Virginia. +14,368 ft gain and -14,365 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 10% jeep / 5% paved. Reddish Knob and the Camp Todd to North River Gap night section. High point near 4,321 ft. Low near 1,339 ft. September temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 14,368 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 36 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 6/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
September in Natural Chimneys Park, Virginia: plan for 45°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 36 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Reddish Knob and the Camp Todd to North River Gap night section near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Grindstone finish lines.
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Sources (4)
- Field stats (2025): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/681.grindstonebyutmb100m.2025?page=1
- Qualifier: wser: https://www.wser.org/qualifying-races/
- Course record (M): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/681.grindstonebyutmb100m.2023?page=1
- Course record (F): https://utmb.world/utmb-index/races/681.grindstonebyutmb100m.2024?page=1