Crew Directions (crews allowed access to all aid stations except Rowland Creek)
The aid stations that are accessed by gravel road (FS 90 & Hurricane) may not be exact. Feedback is appreciated.
Race Start (Damascus Town Park) (Race distance- mile 0)
Damascus Town Park to Straight Branch (~ 4.5 miles, 10 minutes driving time)
North past Red Caboose
Right on Laurel St. (Hw 58 E) (1.5 miles)
Follow Hw 58 E through Damascus (several sharp curves are made)
Follow Hw 58 E out of town
Take a left to remain on Hw 58 E towards Independence (3.0 miles)
Right into parking area for Straight Branch (look for wooden VA Creeper sign)
Straight Branch (Race distance- mile ~5)
Straight Branch to FS 90 (~4.1 miles, 20 minutes driving time)
[I encourage crew to NOT drive to FS 90 due to crowding and a rough gravel road]
East (right) on Hw 58 E (2.8 miles)
Left on FS 90 (This is a very rough gravel road, follow 1.3 miles)
Aid station at top of mountain
FS 90 (Race distance- mile ~9)
[Crew for 16 mile runners skip to "FS 90 to Damascus Town Park."]
FS 90 to Skulls Gap (N) (~10.2 miles, 30 minutes driving time)
For this section, once on asphalt, you will stay on the same road, but it changes names several times
South on FS 90 back down the mountain (1.3 miles)
Left on Hw 58 E (follow for 3.7 miles)
Straight onto 603 (follow for 2.8 miles)
Past Konnarock stay left following the sign for Bike Route 76. After about 100 yards this becomes 600 (follow for 2.4 miles)
Aid station is on your left at intersection with FS 84
Skulls Gap (N) (Race distance- mile ~16)
[Crew for 30 mile runners skip to "Skulls Gap to FS 90."]
Skulls Gap to Hurricane Gap (~4.6 miles, 30 minutes driving time)
[I encourage crew to NOT drive to Hurricane Gap due to crowding and a rough gravel road]
East on FS 84 (This is a very rough gravel road – follow 4.6 miles)
Look carefully for a hiking sign on right that indicates a trail crossing (or other parked cars).
Park and walk North down the dirt road past gate about 400 meters
Hurricane Gap (Race distance- mile ~22 & 32)
[Stay put -- 50 mile runners will return to Hurricane Gap after another 10 miles of running. If your runner is doing 40, immediately head back to Skulls Gap]
Hurricane Gap to Skulls Gap (S) (~5.0 miles, 30 minutes driving time)
West on FS 84 (4.6 miles)
Left on 600 (0.4 miles) – aid station is on the right
Skulls Gap (S) (Race distance- mile ~37)
Skulls Gap to FS 90 (~ 9.8 miles, 30 minutes driving time)
For this section, you will stay on the same road until turning on FS 90, but it changes names several times
South on 600 (follow for 2.0 miles)
Stay right following sign for Bike Route 76. Continue on 603 (follow for 2.8 miles)
Straight onto Hw 58 W (3.7 miles)
Right on FS 90 (Rough gravel road) (1.3 miles)
FS 90 (Race distance- mile ~43 or mile ~23 for 30 mile event)
FS 90 to Damascus Town Park (~8.6 miles, 30 minutes driving time)
South on FS 90 (1.3 miles)
Right on Hw 58 W (follow for 5.8 miles)
Right on Hw 58 W (where it merges with Hw 91) (1.5 miles)
Follow Hw 58 W through town
Left at red caboose
Race Finish (Damascus Town Park) (Race distance- mile 50, ~30, or ~16)