800 Registered Runners Took on Grindstone Trail Running Festival By UTMB, One of The Hardest Courses on The East Coast

September 25, 2023

Mike McMonagle (USA) and Alissa St. Laurent (Canada) earn victories in 100-Mile distance at the 2023 Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB®

HARRISONBURG, Va. (Sept. 24, 2023) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ –  The 2023 UTMB^® World Series continued with the 2023 Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB^® on Sept. 22 and 23. The race featured 800 registered runners from 46 States and 19 countries, regions, and territories as they descended on Shenandoah Valley to take on a distance of 100-mile, 100K or 21K.

Living up to its reputation as one of the hardest courses on the East Coast, Grindstone challenged and pushed runners to test their limits. With a highly technical course, runners overcome high elevation, ridges, peaks, valleys, and all the grit the Shenandoah Valley has to offer.

The 2023 Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB^® is a qualifying event for the Dacia UTMB World Series Final, Western States Endurance Run, and the Hardrock 100.

On Friday evening, Sept. 22, the runners in the 100-mile distance took off from the historic Natural Chimneys Park and Campground. The course featured over 21,000 feet of elevation with runners having 36 hours to complete the course in order to be eligible for the Western States Endurance Run and Hardrock 100 lottery. In addition, runners that finished in the allotted time also earned 4 UTMB Running Stones. The stones provide runners the opportunity to access UTMB^® World Series Final, in Mont-Blanc, France.

It was Mike McMonagle (USA) finishing first overall in a time of 19:10:06. Coming in second for the men was Grant Barnette (USA) with a time of 19:50:53 and Joey Miller (USA) followed in third with a finishing time of 20:54:00

On the female side of the 100-mile race, Alissa St. Laurent (CAN) bested the competition with a time of 24:39:02, while Shelby Johnson (USA) came home second with a time of 26:17:52 and Serena Eley (USA) rounded out the podium with a time of 27:53:39.

Also taking place over the weekend was 100K and the 21K distances. The 100K race offered over 11,000 feet of vertical gain, while the 21K offered runners more than 1,700 feet. The 100K distance offered runners 3 UTMB Runner Stones and a Golden Tickets to the 2024 Western States Endurance Run awarded to the top 2 Male and Female runners.

Coming home first overall in the 100K was Caleb Olson (USA) in a time of 8:54:43. Second and third place featured Caleb Bowen (USA) in a time of 8:59:29 and Justin Grunewald (USA) with a finishing time of 9:12:46

Of the females, Lotti Banks (USA) stands atop of the podium with a time of 10:37:25 bettering her competition of Devon Yanko (USA) who came home second with a time 10:43:46 and Anna Fisher (USA) in 11:11:51.

Brandt Boggs (USA) in 1:42:40 and Hollyann Swann (USA) with a time of 1:49:18 were the first to cross the line in the 21K race.

The 2024 Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB^® returns on Sept. 20-22, 2024. Presale registration is now open until Sunday, Oct. 1 where runners interested can secure the lowest prices of the year. To register, visit, https://grindstone.utmb.world/register

Next Up for the UTMB^® World Series:

UTMB^® World Series is scheduled to continue in 2023 when the series makes its way to Nice, France for the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® – Ultra Trail Métropole on Sept. 29. To see the full schedule of UTMB^® World Series events, visit www.utmb.world.

For more information about the Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB^® visit https://grindstone.utmb.world/. For more information about the 2023 UTMB^® World Series visit utmb.world. Media-related inquiries may be directed to press@ironman.com.

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About UTMB^® World Series

UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and passionate runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations.  Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. Launched in May 2021 through the collaboration between the UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB World Series circuit brings together many of the best international trail-running events on the planet. For more information, visit utmb.world

About UTMB Group

Since the creation of the Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2003 by a group of passionate friends, UTMB Group has been the driving force behind the development of trail running. The Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc is the sports pinnacle event, and every year, 10,000 runners earn their place on the start line. UTMB Group also pioneered the LiveTrail® technology, an innovative digital service that supports the management of endurance races. Revered by hundreds of thousands of athletes, UTMB® has become a global, premium, and leading brand. In May 2021, UTMB Group partnered with The IRONMAN Group to launch the UTMB® World Series, now in its second year, which brings together many of the best international events on the planet to provide exclusive access to the sport’s pinnacle event, Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB® World Series is built on the founding principles of Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc: surpassing oneself; fair-play; respect for people and the environment; and solidarity. Find out more at www.utmb.world.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN^® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN^® 70.3^® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll^® Running Series, IRONKIDS^®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf^®, UTMB^® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB^®, Tarawera Ultra by UTMB^® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB^®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic^®, road cycling events including Haute Route^®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz^® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN^® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.

About Advance 

Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 17,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.