Registration is open and the snow has been great

Folks are starting to sign up for the 2nd EDU.  We are excited to see both old and new faces.

The snow running the last weeks has been a great winter change.  Today was the VT 50K Fat Ass at Pandapas Pond.  About thirty runners showed up for a great course, a fresh coating of snow and a true trail run.  A big thank you to all who made the event possible.  If you haven't checked out Pandapas you should do so soon.  It is worth the stop if you are coming up to pre-run parts of the course.

Enjoy winter!

Permits are in and the planning begins

We have turned in a five year permit with the US Forest Service so the Eastern Divide plans to be around for a little while.

Over the last months we have spent a lot of time in the mountains around Mountain Lake.  We had another October snowfall which allowed the locals to get first tracks, both on skis and foot.  Last weekend a crew of  put in 28 miles along the A.T. leading up to Mountain Lake and over the next month we plan to run much of the course with the added A.T. sections.  So to put it simply, we have been having a good time in the mountains.

There won't be many course changes for our second year.  We have explored another piece of singletrack just before AS1.  It needs some work but it would take racers to the "tippy-top" of the mountain via singletrack only.  We will see how the trail work goes.  There has been discussion of adding a mile to the end to make things an exact 50K but it would be a technical mile.  My thoughts, there are many races that go several miles long so why not be about a mile short.

Check out our Facebook page that will be added soon.

Take care out there and we look forward to seeing you on the trails.  Training runs will be posted soon.

Kirby

JUNE 22nd 2013 2nd ED50K

Mark your calendar and look for registration to open in December.  

What a weekend...

Thanks to all the racers, volunteers and EMTs that made last weekend great. The first running of the ED50K was better than I could have hoped and I can't wait until next year. I have many pictures that I will post to the site and blog in the coming days. Make sure you check back often for details and we will have registration live sometime around Jan 1st. Also, we plan to have a group run in the fall that will explore many of the trails that were bypassed during the race. There are many miles of AT and Wilderness trails that crisscross many of the roads you traveled. I will post more details soon but plan on something in the 20 mile range with a longer option. There will be minimal/no support but there will be plenty miles of great trail.

Two Helpful Maps

Final Miles

I have attached a map of the Mountain Lake Conservancy trails. Please if you decided you like running on their trails buy a map don't just download this one. Proceeds go directly to the conservancy and to the trails. See you up there!

Two weeks out!

Well, well, well... This thing is about to happen and the mountains are looking great. The ferns have grown tall and the rhododendrons have yet to bloom. We have been spending many days enjoying ourselves on the course. The past few days have only reached the upper 60s and let's hope that is the case for June 23rd. Racers, you guys will be receiving and email shortly that explains all the details. We will also have a race dinner and meeting Friday night at the activities barn at the Mountain Lake Hotel. The dinner is free for all racers and if there are leftovers families and friends can eat too. Race morning you will need to be parked and ready to go at 545am. Parking and finish is just past the hotel in a beautiful mountain meadow (see picture). Shuttles will begin leaving promptly at 600am. Make sure you get on the bus! Everything else will be in the email or answered at the dinner/meeting. Here are a few pictures to excite you for the 1st running of the Eastern Divide 50K! IF YOU MISSED REGISTRATION THERE IS A WAITING LIST. EMAIL ME AT MKWALKE@GMAIL.COM Here is a link to an article in the local paper highlighting the ED50K. http://blogs.roanoke.com/theburgs/sports/2012/06/10/ultra-set-for-nrv-cascades-to-mountain-lake/