Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run

Information

All of the information you should need for the 2009 MMT is on this page or linked to it. If your question is not answered here, you may contact the RD, Stan Duobinis.

Summary

The MMT is a challenging 100 mile trail ultra over a demanding, rocky course in the Massanutten Mountains of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. The course includes short but rugged mountain climbs that total over 18,000 feet. While the May date usually avoids Virginia's brutal summer weather, we have had rain and violent storms in prior years. The event is noted for its well-stocked, friendly aid stations and good course marking. The starting field is limited to 180 entrants with a goal of producing 175 runners on the starting line.

Entry

• Qualifications: Entrants must have completed either:
  • A 100 mile trail run at anytime before December 1, 2008
  • A 50 mile run after January 1, 2007 and before December 1, 2008

• How to Enter: The entry process opens on December 1. Our entry system is a bit different so be sure to check it out. We will allow 180 on the final entrants list with a goal of 175 starters.
• Entry Fee: The entry fee is $150. This represents a $10 increase over last year. We don't like to increase the entry fee, but felt we had to because of overall rising costs, the cost of a quality entrant's premium and volunteer reward, and most importantly the ranch's cost.

Photo by Tom Sperduto
(www.tomsperduto.com)
• Scholarships: The VHTRC sponsors two entry fee scholarships for needy runners. The scholarships are based on need, not speed. Runners receiving a scholarship are not identified. If you want to apply for a scholarship, you must contact the RD by November 30. Scholarships will be awarded before entry opens. Receiving a scholarship does not insure entry to the event or give any priority in the entry process.
• Waiting List: We will maintain a waiting list. Our experience is that many people will move from the waiting list to the entrants list, but this movement will not occur until a month or two before the run. More information on chances of getting off the waiting list and into the starting field. (While we are using a new entry process this year, we think that movement off the waiting list should be similar to prior years.)

Course Record Holder Sim Jae Duk on Kerns Mountain
Photo: Aaron Schwartzbard

The Run

• Start Time and Place: The run starts at 5 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Skyline Ranch Resort near Front Royal, Virginia. (While the Ranch's mailing address is "Front Royal," it is over six miles from the town. Don't expect to find the Ranch "in" Front Royal proper.) The finish line is at the same location as the start. The course closes 36 hours later at 5 PM on Sunday, May 17.
• The Course: The course is a loop in the Massanutten Mountains. The course for the 2009 event will be the same as was used in the 2005 event. Course information, including a description, map, and aid station chart are available on this site.
• Aid Stations: There are 16 aid stations. Most will be fully stocked. More aid station information.

RD Stan Duobinis gives 2008 MMT winner Todd Walker his award

• Drop Bags: You may prepare a drop bag for delivery to most aid stations. Drop bags must be marked with your name, your race number, and the aid station name (not the aid station number). Drop bags must be delivered to the start by the time noted in the schedule. Drop bags may be picked up at the finish at Skyline Ranch Resort on Sunday afternoon. Many bags will not return to the Ranch before mid to late Sunday afternoon. Consult the aid station chart to determine which stations accept drop bags. Not all do. Please read the Guidelines on Drop Bags
• Course markings: The course will be marked with surveyor's tape. One color will mark the course, and another will bar entry to trails you shouldn't take. There will be reflective markings for the the portions of the course traveled at night. (We no longer use chemlites.) While the VHTRC has an established reputation for a well-marked course, that doesn't mean you can't get lost if you don't pay attention.
• Cut-offs: All aid stations with crew access have cut-off times that will be enforced. You must be out of the aid station before the cut-off. A race official will enforce the cut-off times. The overall time limit to complete the course is 36 hours. The cut-off times are listed on the aid station chart.

11 Time Finisher Gary Knipling
• Pacers: Many people run MMT without help. Both the men's and women's course records were set without pacers or crews. You may, however have a pacer accompany you from any aid station with crew access that you leave after 6 pm. To help pacers and runners find each other, we have established the MMT Pacer Page. Also, important rules for pacers are available on that page. See also the special division for those without a crew or pacer next.
• Stonewall Jackson Foot Cavalry Division: New this year, there will be a category for those runners who complete the event without crew or pacer support. There will be a silver belt buckle for the top man and woman in this division. More information.
• Crews: We provide support so that you will not need a crew. But your crew is welcome to support you if they comply with the rules for crews. The detailed rules for crews are in the Crew Instructions [not updated for 2009].
  
  New for 2009: There will be strict rules for crews at the aid stations along Route 211. In short, a runner may have only one crew or pacer vehicle at the aid stations along Route 211. That vehicle will require a visible tag from race management to park. For more information, see the rules for Route 211 Aid Stations.
• 
  Ten-time finisher and first winner, John Geesler
  Awards: All finishers will receive an engraved belt buckle. Runners who finish under 24 hours will receive a silver buckle as will the male and female winners in the categories noted below. At least two competitors must start the race in a category for a silver buckle to be awarded. Official finishers not earning a silver buckle will receive a pewter one. Silver belt buckle categories are:
  • Overall
  • Stonewall Jackson Foot Cavalry Division (no crew or pacer)
  • Master (age 40-49)
  • Senior (age 50-59)
  • Super Senior (age 60+)
  • VHTRC
• Visitors Award: If you run as far as the Visitors Center, but do not finish, you will receive a rocky reminder of your visit to Massanutten Mountain. This "Visitor Award" is given to entice you back another year to be more than a visitor to the MMT 100.
• Post Run Celebration and Awards Ceremony: We will again have food and refreshments at the finish line that will be free to all -- runners, volunteers, crews, and pacers. The awards ceremony will take place in the afternoon.
• Training Runs: Tom Corris will again conduct a series of training runs on the course. These runs are low key and require that you have a map or know the route. These runs begin in the new year. Watch for more information here.

Important Points

Race Director Stan Duobinis (left) with Ed Demoney, the former RD

• Littering: Dropping any litter anywhere on the course is strictly prohibited. Carry all trash to the next aid station and dispose of it in an appropriate receptacle.
• Relieving yourself: Do so off the trail and not "in public." Bury solid human waste properly.
• Medical issues: You are responsible for your own safety. We do not provide any medical care during the run nor do we perform "weight checks." No doctors, nurses, or EMTs are available along the course or at any aid station. In case of an emergency, we will endeavor to get local emergency personnel to an injured runner (or vice versa) as soon as possible, but due to the remote location of portions of the course, this could take hours. Many runners finish, or drop out, with bruises and scrapes. This is an event with risks.
• Parking at Skyline Ranch Resort: All vehicles that enter the SRR property must register at the entrance gate. The VHTRC will absorb the parking charges for those not spending the night at the SRR. If you spend the night at SRR, including sleeping in your car, there is an additional fee that will be your responsibility. Entrants must pay any charges for night use of the Ranch.

2008 Female Winner Amy Sproston
Photo: Aaron Schwartzbard
• Dogs: Dogs, even friendly ones and even those on a leash, can be disruptive for the volunteers and runners at the MMT. Please do not bring a dog into any aid station or the finish area. If you have a dog, please keep it away from the runners, the aid station itself, and the volunteers in the aid station. At the finish, please keep your dog away from the runners, the finish line, and the lawn and deck in the area of the finish line. Dogs are not allowed in the club house at SRR. If your dog wants to meet its running master along the course, please arrange for it to do so before or after the runner enters the aid station itself. Dogs should always be on a leash.
• Crew Issues: Crews are asked to comply with all directions of Forest Service and aid station officials. It is critical to park legally. Crews should be familiar with the crew instructions [not updated for 2009] and abide by their admonitions. Crews that do not abide by the rules could be excluded from the course and, in aggravated circumstances could cause the disqualification of the runner they are supporting. Be sure to note the special crewing and parking rules for route 211 Aid Stations.

Accommodations

Two MMT Finishers
• Lodging at the Skyline Ranch Resort: Camp sites, trailers, and chalets are available at Skyline Ranch Resort (SRR) 540-635-4169. Please make reservations with SRR. SRR Web site
  
  NOTE: In the past, the SRR has enforced its check out time strictly. If you don't or can't check out early Saturday morning, you may have to pay for both Saturday and Sunday night even if you don't stay in your room. Showers are available for all runners at the finish line even if they don't stay at the Ranch.
• Local Motels: Front Royal is the closest town to the starting line, about a 15-minute drive. Motel suggestions in Front Royal are the Super 8 (540-636-4888), Scottish Inn (540-636-6168), and the Quality Inn (540-635-3161). If you want to go a bit more upscale, the Hampton Inn (540-635-1882) is new. It would be a little further to the start, but if you are good with a map, it would be only a few minutes more.

Questions: Please call Race Director Stan Duobinis at 410-987-8172 if you have questions. The RD answers questions a lot better before 9 PM, Eastern Time. You may also e-mail the RD by using the contact form.

Revised October 2008

Eight MMT Finishers (and a couple of pacers)