<p>Yes i will be going for number 4 for Grindstone and hopefully number 4 for the Beast Series. Dont get me wrong there are spots that are technical, but for the most part it is "nice". </p>
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<p>The race starts out on double track which is nice and easy running, then you head up a 4 mile climb up Elliots knob all on access road which is just gravel. When you get to the top for about a mile it is technical but then you are on nice single track all the way down, then you head up Crawford Mountain which again on the way up is nice double wide basically dirt road, at the top is another mile technical then nice for the next few miles down hill. The next mountain is Hankey which is the most beautiful single track, we will be going up it at this point but coming down is the best later in the race, well maybe if you werent on mile 68 it would be a lot better...lol. Now you are on Wild Oak Trail and this is the technical down hill that sucks, for about 3 miles. next is on to Little Bald this is a 7 mile climb that is for me the worst in the race, not because of the technical issue but just because it is long and right before the sun comes up. From there to the turn around is nice dirt jeap road for about 8 or so miles. At the turn around you are on pavement for 6 miles or so. Then turn around and do it all over again. </p>
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<p>The first 30 miles are the toughest of the race, you will hurt but just push through it. After the turn around the return trip is easier, it sounds wierd but it is. Clarke the race director does have a training weekend every year which is a lot of fun, we all camp for the weekend and run 30 miles on saturday and 20 on sunday in the easy direction so you see the whole course. We all go out to eat together on Fri and Sat night, i would recommend this weekend if you can make it</p>
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<p>hope this helps</p>
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<p>Marc</p>
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