My first year running Eastern Divide, though in previous years I have volunteered for the event. This is another SWVA classic race - and I think ownership/direction of the race … MORE
My first year running Eastern Divide, though in previous years I have volunteered for the event. This is another SWVA classic race – and I think ownership/direction of the race changed in the past few years.
Pros: Race planning and the RD are top notch. You get great communication, all events are really well planned, bib pick-up is very easy. Course is well marked. Aid stations are well-stocked and frequent! (pb&j, salty snacks, fresh fruit, bacon, bourbon, water and tailwind). Finish line has canned soda, beer! in your finisher cup, and boxed lunches! you get some great sights on course — the view of the mountains, at least two overlooks, the cascades, Mountain Lake Lodge, the single track is gorgeous – i loved running through the single track trails at Mountain Lake.
No so Pros (these aren’t cons, but maybe some detractors): There is lots of fire road – perhaps more than I was expecting. And not very much is flat – you’re either climbing or descending – which isn’t bad, it just is. This year the course re-routed because of COVID, and we ended at Doe Creek Farm, which is a beautiful location — but it also means you finish with about 2-3 miles of aggressive downhill, first on a paved road, and then second half of that is through fields and farms that are mowed to get you to the finish (so uneven and little rocky). you’re def ready for the finish line.
Note: in chatting with the other runners – it seems this is a consolation or second choice for many of the out of towners. I spoke to quite a few that had their first choice sold out, and then decided to run Eastern Divide — their first choices were: Yeti 50K on the Creeper, Grayson Highlands 50k, and Promiseland 50k.
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Challenging and Fun
My first year running Eastern Divide, though in previous years I have volunteered for the event. This is another SWVA classic race - and I think ownership/direction of the race … MORE
My first year running Eastern Divide, though in previous years I have volunteered for the event. This is another SWVA classic race – and I think ownership/direction of the race changed in the past few years.
Pros: Race planning and the RD are top notch. You get great communication, all events are really well planned, bib pick-up is very easy. Course is well marked. Aid stations are well-stocked and frequent! (pb&j, salty snacks, fresh fruit, bacon, bourbon, water and tailwind). Finish line has canned soda, beer! in your finisher cup, and boxed lunches! you get some great sights on course — the view of the mountains, at least two overlooks, the cascades, Mountain Lake Lodge, the single track is gorgeous – i loved running through the single track trails at Mountain Lake.
No so Pros (these aren’t cons, but maybe some detractors): There is lots of fire road – perhaps more than I was expecting. And not very much is flat – you’re either climbing or descending – which isn’t bad, it just is. This year the course re-routed because of COVID, and we ended at Doe Creek Farm, which is a beautiful location — but it also means you finish with about 2-3 miles of aggressive downhill, first on a paved road, and then second half of that is through fields and farms that are mowed to get you to the finish (so uneven and little rocky). you’re def ready for the finish line.
Note: in chatting with the other runners – it seems this is a consolation or second choice for many of the out of towners. I spoke to quite a few that had their first choice sold out, and then decided to run Eastern Divide — their first choices were: Yeti 50K on the Creeper, Grayson Highlands 50k, and Promiseland 50k.