Course Information:

• The start is along the Cascades Trail and climbs towards the falls.  Racers will drop down to the falls and climb back to the top of Butt Mountain. After 4 miles racers leave single track and turn left on the Butt Mt. fire road.  This is AS1.  Last year there were rumors of bacon and eggs.  Will see what the volunteers have in store.  The climb is not quite done as racers need to make it to the tippy top of Butt Mt.  The next several miles are rarely used forest roads that are the home to many migratory birds and tall ferns.  AS2 is at the cross roads of Butt Mt. fire road at Bailey Gap.  The Appalachian Trail passes close by and is a great section to run on another day.  After AS2 runners travel down hill to Rocky Mt. Road.  This road meanders along the back side of the mountains towards wind rock.  This section offers great views towards WV and beyond.  AS3 is towards the end of this road before you begin your climbing to Wind Rock.  After AS3 it is approximately 3.5 miles to AS4 and the top of Wind Rock.  The climb is two miles long and is very runnable.  After AS4 is is 4 fast miles to the single track of Mountain Lake.  AS5 is heavily stocked with friendly faces and food and marks the beginning of ups and downs, rocks and roots, and fern lined single track.  AS6 is just after a long section through a large mountain top meadow.  Get through here quick so you don't roast in the sun.  There is one last aid station, AS7, that will root you on the final 1.5 miles.   Don't let the amount of fire road alarm you.  These roads are lightly traveled and are in the middle of nowhere.  Most of the roads are lined with ferns and boulders with large Hemlocks looming above.  Check out the map below or buy the Trails Illustrated Blacksburg/New River Valley map. All mileage is approximate:AS1  4 miles (no crew) AS2  8.75 miles (no crew) AS3  16 miles (no crew) AS4  19 miles (drop bag) AS5  22 miles (6 hour cutoff) AS6  26 miles (no crew) AS7 28.5 miles  (water only) AID STATIONS will be stocked with the following (some will have all of the below and all will have HEED, Water, GELS, Endurolytes): Hammer GEL HEED Water Soda Electrodelytes Chocolate PB&Js Chips Granola bars Fruit (oranges, banans, apples) and more..