Chumbawamba
Week 3 Segment Details
Strava Link: map and leaderboard
Veloviewer Link: interactive maps and more
Distance: ~8.75 miles
Elevation Change: 824 ft climbing / 824 ft descending
Course Records: 49:02 (Mark Driscoll) / 1:04:11 (Kate Schwartz)
Weekly Awards: Fueling & hydration variety packs, curated by local running stores Jus Running and Foot RX.
Period for performances: Oct 12th - Oct 26th (yes, 2 weeks!)
Segment Description:
Legend has it that the route known as “Chumbawamba” began as a fitness benchmarking tool, and an effective summertime substitute for long endurance & tempo runs typically done through Carrier Park, since the tree coverage in Bent Creek could provide slightly more bearable conditions. We can’t really pinpoint the origins of the route’s name, but we imagine it has something to do its terrain and the corresponding lyrics in the chorus from the UK sensation’s most memorable hit.
This “segment” is by far the longest and most complex route we’ve deployed as part of either Ghost Race series, but we think that this is a great route to keep in mind when you’re looking to work on your threshold pace and sharpen prior to a long race. The route comprises a set of forest roads that are very runnable, and the tough-but-reasonable climbs and descents allow you to practice your focus and building rhythm. Even if you do not plan on running the entire route at threshold pace, it’s a great route for mixing in fartleks and interval work.
With the Shut In Ridge Run coming up in the next few weeks, it’s probably time to start thinking about your hydration & fueling tactics, and actually practicing some mid-run fueling during a long session. Which is why for this week’s prizes, we’ll be handing out a selection of the latest and greatest on-the-go fueling products (think gels, drink mixes, bars) that you can use for your dress rehearsal.
Course Navigation:
Start – Begin in the parking lot of Rice Pinnacle and jog towards the forest road gate (this is highly recommended so that your GPS gets a good reading). When you reach the gate, the segment actually starts.
Run up the hill, along the forest road (this is FR 491) for 1.3 miles. Then it’s time to TURN LEFT onto Ledford Branch (FR 479F).
About 2.5 miles in, Ledford Branch Rd will split; STAY RIGHT and continue going up the hill.
Stay on this forest road until you hit the intersection of Bent Creek Road at about 4.5 miles in. At this point, TURN LEFT.
Continue up this dirt road until you descend down to the Ledford Parking Area (about 5.5 miles into route). Then make a HARD LEFT on the gravel trail (FR 479E) and start your final climb up the hill.
After conquering the hill, at about 6.2 miles, STAY STRAIGHT (basically, don’t turn left) back onto FR 479F. This begins the final descent.
The final turn of the route will occur at approximately 7.4 miles in, where you will TURN RIGHT and head back down Ledford Branch Rd (FR 491) towards the Rice Pinnacle lot.
Finish – The route ends at the gate, but we recommend you continue jogging back into the Rice Pinnacle lot to ensure your GPS picks up your “exit”.
So let’s recap: Run up, turn left, stay right, left, left, right, run down. Got it? OK maybe you want to bring a crib sheet, or if you have a fancy GPS watch or use your phone to navigate, we made a Strava route for it. We are pretty confident this can be done, as we have successfully recommended this route to some out-of-towners before with success.
Where can I park/how do I get there?
The best place to park is at Rice Pinnacle lot. If that’s full, consider the Hard Times or Ledford parking areas, and jog to the start with connecting trails.
Segment Raffle Prize & All-Time Course Record Award
All participants this week will be entered into a drawing for a hydration & fueling prize pack, with a variety of products that can be purchased at Jus Running and Foot RX.
Course Records will also be awarded with a similar prize pack.
