Over the past three years the Continental Divide Trail Race has gained a reputation as one of the toughest trail races in the southeast. The terrain is a mix of everything from grass to fire roads to wide trails to tight singletrack. The footing ranges from relatively smooth to highly technical. The race as almost doubled in size over the past three years.
The course has no flat portions, and a few gentle slopes. Most descents are between 9% and 15% steep, and one 150 meter section is a gut-wrenching 28.5 degree drop. Most climbs are about 10 degrees steep, although a quarter-mile climb just before the midway point is 18.5 degrees, and another near the finish offers a 22 degree incline that extends for a quarter-mile. The last segment includes "The Rock Climb", a 20-yard section that has most competitors looking for a good handhold.
The course has no flat portions, and a few gentle slopes. Most descents are between 9% and 15% steep, and one 150 meter section is a gut-wrenching 28.5 degree drop. Most climbs are about 10 degrees steep, although a quarter-mile climb just before the midway point is 18.5 degrees, and another near the finish offers a 22 degree incline that extends for a quarter-mile. The last segment includes "The Rock Climb", a 20-yard section that has most competitors looking for a good handhold.
Elevation Map My running week in the mountains with my friend Pat ended with us running the Continental Divide Trail Race in Laurel Springs, North Carolina on August 27th. The race served as the USA 10K Trail Championships. My goal was to finish without breaking anything and getting hurt. Me and Pat knew we were in trouble when we had to hike up a tough trail, that was part of the race course, just to get to registration and packet pickup.
Start The race started on top of a mountain in an open grass field. The first 3/4 mile was a breakneck fast downhill. It was a wild and crazy start where Pat pulled away from me. I got my balance and started picking off some runners. I caught Pat and ran with him before pulling away some as we started the first tough uphill of many to come. I tried running, then jogging the first uphill before giving in and walking some. I knew I was in for a long race. The trail was very technical and it was a challenge not to fall. At 1.5 miles we started another steep downhill. I got passed by several runners because I was trying to slow myself down so I wouldn't trip and roll off the mountain. The uphill starting at 2 miles was cruel and that is being nice. I walked again but so was everyone else. There was no way you could run or even jog parts of this course.
I felt really good on the open, grass fields but the technical trials were a challenge for me because I don't have trails like that near me to run. I enjoy running trails but this was not fun. This was brutal! I passed runners on the uphills that passed me on the downhills. I think I'm a better uphill runner than a downhill runner.
The real pain started after 5 miles. The uphills got even harder and I was back to walking more. The last mile included the aforementioned rock climb. It was straight up and I was clutching my quads forcing them up and down. I was also grabbing roots, branches, and rocks to pull myself up that hill.
The real pain started after 5 miles. The uphills got even harder and I was back to walking more. The last mile included the aforementioned rock climb. It was straight up and I was clutching my quads forcing them up and down. I was also grabbing roots, branches, and rocks to pull myself up that hill.
The Rock Climb near finish After struggling up the last half mile the course opened up to a grass field. I was hoping for a 400m sprint on the grass to the finish but it was not to be. The finish line was right around the corner and I finished in 39 place overall out of 146 in 55:56. It was the hardest race of my life!
It was a challenge and something different. Parts of the race were fun but for the most part if was just insanely difficult. Pat put it best when he said, "This wasn't trail running. It was more like mountain navigating". I met Pat's friend, Molly Nunn after the race. She finished 3rd Overall for the women's race in an impressive 54:02. All the jumping, crawling, pulling, hills, and plyometrics during the race to avoid falling and losing my balance left me really sore the following day.
Here is a great video about the race, Continental Divide Trail Race 2011 and here are more photos from the 2011 race.
Despite the though terrain, the Continental Divide Trail Race has a low-key atmosphere and camaraderie typical of the trail-running community. Whether you're an elite athlete competing for a top prize or a recreational runner seeking new competitive experiences, the race is a great opportunity to experience mountain trails and challenge yourself.
As a USA Trail Championship, the Continental Divide Trail Race includes overall and masters prize divisions as well as USATF age-group and USATF team categories. Check their race website for more information including driving directions and lodging.
It was a challenge and something different. Parts of the race were fun but for the most part if was just insanely difficult. Pat put it best when he said, "This wasn't trail running. It was more like mountain navigating". I met Pat's friend, Molly Nunn after the race. She finished 3rd Overall for the women's race in an impressive 54:02. All the jumping, crawling, pulling, hills, and plyometrics during the race to avoid falling and losing my balance left me really sore the following day.
Here is a great video about the race, Continental Divide Trail Race 2011 and here are more photos from the 2011 race.
Despite the though terrain, the Continental Divide Trail Race has a low-key atmosphere and camaraderie typical of the trail-running community. Whether you're an elite athlete competing for a top prize or a recreational runner seeking new competitive experiences, the race is a great opportunity to experience mountain trails and challenge yourself.
As a USA Trail Championship, the Continental Divide Trail Race includes overall and masters prize divisions as well as USATF age-group and USATF team categories. Check their race website for more information including driving directions and lodging.
Pat and Me post race
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