The East Coast's most demanding 100-miler — a dual qualifier for UTMB Finals and Western States
Other trail races within 196 miles
With approximately 21,000 feet of vertical gain, the Grindstone 100-mile course is widely regarded as the most technically demanding hundred-miler east of the 100th meridian. Starting at dusk on Friday from Natural Chimneys Park, runners tackle the Wolf Ridge climb to Reddish Knob, traverse the iconic Wild Oak National Recreation Trail over Grindstone, Lookout, and Hankey Mountains, and ascend to Elliott's Knob — the course's highest point — before a punishing 2,000-foot drop in just 2 miles. The loop finishes under the limestone chimneys at dawn.
Mount Solon, VA, United StatesSeptember 18, 2026
Grindstone Running Festival 100 Mile is a loop trail race in Mount Solon, VA, United States, held on September 18, 2026. The course covers 104 miles, climbs 20,180 ft, and has a 36h cutoff.
Trail work may be completed locally wherever the runner lives or trains. All trail work must be within the 2026 calendar year. Trail Work Form must be submitted by September 1, 2026.
Qualifying period: January 01, 2026 – September 01, 2026
Submission deadline: September 01, 2026
| Location | Mile | Elevation | Cutoff | Crew | Drop bags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start Start | 0.0 | 0 ft | — | ||
Lick Run 1 Aid Station | 5.7 | 1,759 ft | — | ||
Wolf Ridge Aid Station | 11.4 | 1,814 ft | 3h30m9:30 PM | ||
Reddish Knob Aid Station | 20.4 | 4,242 ft | 6h30m12:30 AM +1 | ||
Little Bald Knob Aid Station | 24.4 | 3,963 ft | — | ||
North River Gap 1 Aid Station | 32.4 | 1,611 ft | 10h4:00 AM +1 | Crew | Drop Bags |
Lookout Mountain Aid Station | 38.1 | 2,595 ft | — | ||
Dowells Draft 1 Aid Station | 45.6 | 2,001 ft | 15h9:00 AM +1 | Crew | Drop Bags |
Dry Branch Gap 1 Aid Station | 52.6 | 2,582 ft | 17h11:00 AM +1 | ||
Cold Springs Aid Station | 59.4 | 2,379 ft | — | ||
Dry Branch Gap 2 Aid Station | 64.9 | 0 ft | 21h30m3:30 PM +1 | ||
Dowells Draft 2 Aid Station | 71.9 | 0 ft | 24h6:00 PM +1 | Crew | Drop Bags |
Magic Moss Aid Station | 77.1 | 2,310 ft | 26h8:00 PM +1 | ||
Camp Todd Aid Station | 82.1 | 2,359 ft | 27h30m9:30 PM +1 | Crew | Drop Bags |
North River Gap 2 Aid Station | 91.8 | 0 ft | 31h45m1:45 AM +2 | Crew | Drop Bags |
Lick Run 2 Aid Station | 99.5 | 0 ft | — | ||
Finish Finish | 104.0 | 1,342 ft | 36h6:00 AM +2 | Crew | Drop Bags |
Aid station details for this race are still being filled in. Cutoffs and access rules come from the race’s own published information and can change — check the official race details before planning around them.
Sign in for race-day weather at every station, points of interest, segment-by-segment analysis, pacing, and to save this race to your calendar.
Natural Chimneys Park and Campground offers on-site camping adjacent to the start/finish area.
No crew rules specified
Late September in the Shenandoah Valley brings crisp fall conditions perfect for running. Daytime highs range from 55–70°F (13–21°C), while nighttime temperatures drop to 35–45°F (2–7°C), especially on the exposed ridgelines. September sits at the tail end of Atlantic hurricane season, and remnants of tropical systems occasionally bring heavy rain and wind — the 2024 edition saw tropical storm influence during race weekend. The higher summit sections around Elliott's Knob and Reddish Knob can experience gusty winds and rapid weather changes.
Shenandoah Valley weather is unpredictable in September; rapid changes possible, including remnants of late-season tropical systems
Late Atlantic hurricane season can deliver heavy rainfall; tropical storm remnants impacted the 2024 race
Overnight temperatures can drop near freezing on exposed ridgelines above 4,000 feet
No recommended gear specified
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