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Saturday, April 13, 2013 -- Danese, WV / Babcock State Park
The Gristmill Grinder Half Marathon (iPO Event Id#: 14409)

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Coverage: [2005] [2006] [2007] [2008] [2009] [2010] [2011] [2012]

2013 Registration

  • Register online (Active.com) or print [ Entry Form ] (pdf file)

  • Limited to 275 runners, NO race day registration.

  • Don't forget the 5K fun Walk!

  • The entry fee includes a $5 meal ticket in the race packet to restaurants in Fayetteville, WV. There are excellent eateries in Fayetteville - Cathedral Cafe, Gumbo's, Pies & Pints and DiOGi's to name a few. Fruit, pasta salad, water and more sports drinks will be at the finish.


Gristmill Grinder Half Marathon
Photos will be provided by iPlayOutside!
This is the 9th year for "The Grinder," enjoy a course full of tunnels, cliffs, overlooks, rocks, bridges, mud and more. It's majestically beautiful.

The Course

See the [ Course Map ]

For the half marathon, three aid stations, at miles 2.5, 6 and 11 will have water, sports drink, moral support and radios.

The half marathon trail run consists of a "figure 8" loop course. It begins with a short road section at the beginning before turning left and jumping onto a single track trail named "Triple Creek". This single-track trail leads runners into a wilderness area crossing...You guessed it- three creeks. Climbing to a high point on the rim at the intersection with the "Wilderness Trail" you can see across the Glade Creek Canyon. Nice view- you will soon be on the rim way across the canyon on the Skyline Trail! The Wilderness trail then widens and drops down to the road near the Gristmill. Runners cross the bridge at the Gristmill, turn right and run up the road and then left and down toward the cabins and soon are back in the woods on "Skyline". This trail is well named! After a steep, short climb the Skyline parallels the cliff line and offers several beautiful overlooks.

This is a race though so don't dawdle! Come back and check the overlooks out another day. After the initial climb, the trail is gradual and rolling. It is classic and beautiful trail running. A water stop and short road section follows at the end of the trail, that takes you down to Mann's Creek. A left turn takes you onto the "Narrow Gauge Trail".

This trail is rugged, and spectacular! Waterfalls, rocks, mud, everything a trail runner could ever hope for. Runners will eventually cross Glade Creek on the "Bouncy Bridge" (aka - the very slippery bridge when wet!) The trail then begins a gradual climb up to and past the Gristmill again. (Here comes the Grind...) After passing the Gristmill, runners take the "Lakeview" trail on the left, up to and around Boley Lake to the road near the finish. There is a gradual uphill grade approaching the finish.

Race Location

Babcock State Park
486 Babcock Road
Clifftop, WV 25831
(web) www.babcocksp.com . . . [ Directions to the Park ]

Parking, Registration/Packet Pick-Up Area

Enter Babcock State Park at the Main Entrance. Go past the Gristmill, left and up the paved road. Continue past the lake & pool parking lot to the Sugar Camp Run Picnic Area. This will be the Start & Finish for the race. Packet pick up and race day registration will begin at 8:00 am in the morning.

Sponsors

Many thanks the the event's many SPONSORS.


Start Date: 2013-04-13     Start Time: 10:00am
Event Name: The Gristmill Grinder Half Marathon
Location(s): Danese, WV 25831
Babcock State Park
Event Type(s): Run
  Off Road
Walk
  Non-Competitive
Event Distance(s): 3mi 13.1mi
Contact(s): Donnie Hudspeth - Mountain Air Productions
   Email: mountainairproductions@gmail.com
Affiliate(s):
Comments: Plus 5K Fun Walk
Offsite URL: www.gristmillgrinder.com/

Lodging

    These fine establishments support the event, please support them:

  • Babcock State Park (www.babcocksp.com)
    Cabins and camping available.

  • O'Possum Creek Retreat (www.opossumcreek.com)
    Nice deluxe cabins, several sizes and types available. About 20 minutes from the park. PLEASE mention you are here for the Gristmill Grinder! (phone) 888-488-4836

  • The Ponderosa Lodge (www.theponderosalodge.com)
    Near the park is a Bed and Breakfast in a beautiful mountain setting is The Ponderosa Lodge. The whole lodge can be reserved for a reasonable fee and individual rooms may also be available. Please tell them you are here for the Babcock Gristmill Grinder! Go to - The Ponderosa Lodge & Farm: Group Retreats and Family Vacation Lodging on a Family Farm in the New River Gorge Region, West Virginia.

  • Hemlock Haven (www.hemlockhavenwv.com)
    Nice deluxe cabins, also dog friendly just 15 minutes from Babcock. Mention you are here for the Babcock Gristmill Grinder.

  • Quality Inn - Fayetteville, WV
    The Quality Inn is also giving us a sweet offer, mention the "Grinder" for discounted rooms. It is close to town and all the shops and fine eateries. (phone) 304-574-3443

  • ACE Adventure Center (www.aceraft.com)
    ACE is near Oak Hill, WV. The resort also has cabins of many types. They are putting together a lodging package for "The Grinder" combined with their Canopy Tours! Sounds fun huh? (phone) 800-787-3982, PLEASE mention you are here for the Gristmill Grinder