Results & Live Tracking — Grindstone by UTMB 2026
From September 18 to 20, 2026, the Shenandoah Valley hosts one of the toughest trail running weekends on the East Coast.
100M, 100K, 50K and 21K, all starting and finishing at the historic Natural Chimneys. Live results on UTMB Live.
Results → 🌐 Official Website →Grindstone by UTMB returns for its 2026 edition on the weekend of September 18-20, based once again at Natural Chimneys Park in Swoope, Virginia, in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley. Long considered the hardest 100-miler east of the 100th meridian, the race has been part of the UTMB World Series since its 2023 rebrand, drawing runners chasing a ticket to the Chamonix Finals.
The flagship 100M sets off on Friday at 6:00 PM, covering 167.4 km and roughly 6,400 m (21,000 ft) of vertical gain through the Allegheny Mountains on relentless single-track ridgelines. Grindstone is also a rare triple qualifier, feeding directly into UTMB Mont-Blanc, the Western States Endurance Run and the Hardrock 100.
On Saturday, the 100K (100 km, ~3,350 m D+) and the newer 50K (50 km, ~1,550 m D+) join the weekend, alongside a 21K half marathon (500 m D+) starting at 8:00 AM for runners after a shorter, faster taste of the Chimneys. As a UTMB World Series event, the top 3 men and women in the 100M, 100K and 50K automatically qualify for the UTMB, CCC and OCC races respectively at the World Series Finals. Race director Dr. Clark Zealand oversees an event that is also the fourth leg of Virginia's historic Beast Series. Results: UTMB Live.
2026 Race Weekend Schedule
Key Course Points
| Landmark | Info | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Chimneys Park START/FINISH | All distances | Historic limestone rock formations, festival base camp |
| Narrow Back Mtn RIDGELINE | Shared by all courses | Steep climb onto single-track ridge running |
| Wolf Ridge / Timber Ridge CLIMBS | 100M & 100K | Among the toughest climbs on the East Coast |
| Shenandoah Valley ALLEGHENY MOUNTAINS | Full course | Peak fall foliage, national forest single-track |
| UTMB WORLD SERIES Natural Chimneys Park, Virginia · UTMB Live | ||
Frequently Asked Questions — Grindstone by UTMB 2026
When is Grindstone by UTMB 2026?
The Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB runs Friday to Sunday, September 18-20, 2026, at Natural Chimneys Park in Swoope, Virginia. The 100M starts Friday at 6:00 PM, while the 100K, 50K and 21K all start Saturday, the 21K at 8:00 AM.
Where can I find Grindstone 2026 results?
Official live results are published on UTMB Live and on the event's own results page, grindstone.utmb.world/results.
How hard is the Grindstone 100 Mile course?
The 100M covers 167.4 km with roughly 6,400 m (21,000 ft) of vertical gain through Virginia's Allegheny Mountains, widely considered the toughest 100-mile course east of the 100th meridian.
How do you qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals through Grindstone?
As a UTMB World Series event, the top 3 men and top 3 women in the 100M, 100K and 50K automatically qualify for the UTMB, CCC and OCC races respectively at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix. Grindstone is also a triple qualifier for UTMB Mont-Blanc, the Western States Endurance Run and the Hardrock 100.