West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners
A Mountain State of Running
Course Description
West Virginia Trilogy
This trail is part of the 50 mile course. The path is named
after the small community of Horton.
Aid Stations
The WV Trilogy is a three day race consisting of three different courses and lengths. Crew access is restricted to specific aid stations listed below. The aid stations for each individual race are shown in tables below. All aid stations, unless otherwise noted, will carry the ultra-run fare of water, an electrolyte drink, chips, cookies, pb&j, variety of hot food, soup, potatoes and salt, and other libations.
50k participants’ drop bags will be taken to Aid Station #2 Bee Run (11.3 miles).
| 50k Aid Stations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | Section Miles | Cumulative Miles |
| Start | # 1 Big Run | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| # 1 | # 2 Bee Run | 5.7 | 11.3 |
| # 2 | # 3 Judy Springs | 5.6 | 16.9 |
| # 3 | # 4 Judy Springs | 5.7 | 22.6 |
| # 4 | # 5 Seneca | 5.1 | 27.7 |
| # 5 | Finish | 3.3 | 31 |
50M Aid Station # 1 Spruce Knob only has water, electrolyte drink, and a few small snacks. Participants’ drop bags are taken to Aid Station #3 Whites Run (24.9 miles).
| 50M Aid Stations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | Section Miles | Cumulative Miles |
| Start | # 1 Spruce Knob | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| # 1 | # 2 Judy Springs | 9.2 | 16.1 |
| # 2 | # 3 Whites Run | 8.8 | 24.9 |
| # 3 | # 4 Horton | 8.7 | 33.6 |
| # 4 | # 5 Judy Springs | 6.9 | 40.5 |
| # 5 | # 6 Allegheny Mountain Trail | 5.7 | 46.2 |
| # 6 | Finish | 3.8 | 50 |
| Half Marathon Aid Stations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | Section Miles | Cumulative Miles |
| Start | # 1 Big Run | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| # 1 | # 2 Gatewood Firetower Road | 2.1 | 7.6 |
| # 2 | # 3 Gatewood Firetower Road | 2.0 | 9.6 |
| # 3 | # 4 Big Run | 2.3 | 11.9 |
| # 4 | Finish | 1.2 | 13.1 |
The 5k Aid Station only carries water.
| 5k Aid Stations | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| From | To | Section Miles | Cumulative Miles | |
| Start | # 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| # 1 | Finish | 1.1 | 3.1 | |
Maps
| Race | Elevation Gain (feet) |
|---|---|
| 50k | 4871 |
| 50M | 8328 |
| HM | 1464 |
50k Course [Strava]
50k Course [Map]
50k Elevation [Map] – 4871 feet gain
50M Course [Strava]
50M Course South [Map]
50M Elevation South [Map] – 8328 feet gain
50M Course North [Map]
50M Elevation North [Map]
Half Marathon Course [Strava]
Half Marathon Course [Map] – 1464 feet gain
Half Marathon Elevation [Map]
The Upper Falls of Seneca Creek are passed on the 50k & 50M courses. Photo: Jonathan Jessup
Descriptions
Here are some general statements about the 94 miles or 151 kilometers to be traversed. The course is 93% trail, 6.75% dirt road, 0.25% paved. There are no extended rocky, technical trails — only intermittent sections. The only part that might qualify as “rocky” would be a mile or so of Huckleberry Trail on top of Spruce Mountain on Day Two. However this section is so beautiful you won’t mind a few rocks. These are typical “WV trails” (i.e. wild and rugged), but not nearly as technical as Highlands Sky. There are some stream crossing on day one and two, none on day three. The profiles above exaggerate the steepness, but they do indicate where you will be climbing. Total elevation gain/loss for each race is given with the respective profile.
Run for the Hills 5k
The 5k and Half Marathon races begin together. At mile 2.5, the 5k splits left toward the finish. Then you can enjoy the morning and cheer in the half marathon runners.
Logic only gives man what he needs, magic gives him what he wants. – Tom Robbins
