Massanutten Training Academy

Massanutten Training Academy chalkboard

The Massanutten Training Academy is a series of four organized training runs on the Massanutten Mountain Trails (MMT) 100 course. The training runs are organized by Tom and Kirstin Corris and sponsored by the VHTRC. Details for each event are listed in the table below. The following general guidelines apply to all four events:

Hope you can join us!

Cheers,
Tom and Kirstin

2010 Syllabus (click on event for details)
SectionDateDistance (mi)Total climb (ft)
Final Exam: MMT 100 May 1510016,500
Quiz 1: Elizabeth Furnace to Camp RooseveltJan 1629.45,950
Quiz 2: Caroline Furnace to Elizabeth FurnaceFeb 20
Cancelled
32.65,175
Quiz 3: Camp Roosevelt to Caroline FurnaceMar 2738.67,500
Quiz 4: Chocolate BunnyApril 326.25,400

Training Run 1: Elizabeth Furnace to Camp Roosevelt

Essential Info

The 2010 MMT Training Academy kicks off with a run from Elizabeth Furnace to Camp Roosevelt, roughly the middle third of MMT. There are several road sections (between Shawl and Veach Gaps and between Indian Grave and Habron Gap) and the trail is generally runnable, making this one of the “easier” events. This run also kicks off the MLK Weekend extravaganza.

Runners will be assigned a food or drink item to share (for the community aid) and are also allowed one drop bag.

Entry is closed. Note: you are not in until you receive confirmation for Tom (priority will be given to those runners in MMT).

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MMT Training Run 1 route.

Altitude profile

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MMT Training Run 1 altitude profile

MMT Training Run 1 altitude profile. 29.4 miles long with 5,950 feet of ascent.

Training Run 2: Caroline Furnace to Elizabeth Furnace

MMT #2 has been cancelled due to snow

Essential Info

  • Entry is closed.
  • Date: Sat Feb 20, 2010Cancelled
  • Time: 6:00 AM
  • Distance: 32.7 mi
  • Aid stations:
    1. Edinburg Gap (mi 11.5)
    2. Woodstock Tower (mi 19.7)
  • Meeting location: Signal Knob Parking Lot
  • Weather forecast

Training Run #2 covers the first 50 km of the race. After a 3.6-mile warm-up jog up Moreland Gap Rd, runners will hit the Massanutten Trail at Moreland Gap. Then it's the infamous Short Mountain, where you'll get to kick the rocks in the daylight. The first aid station is at Edinburg Gap (mi 11.5) which is followed by the long slog up Wayanaze Peak, followed by a long traverse of Powell Mountain. Aid #2 is at Woodstock Tower (mi 19.7), after which the last 10.3 are on your own. Assuming you still have legs, the last 5 miles down to Elizabeth Furnace are a downhill delight.

Entry is closed.

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MMT Training Run 2 route.

Altitude profile

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MMT Training Run 2 altitude profile

MMT Training Run 2 altitude profile. 32.7 miles long with 5,175 feet of ascent.

Training Run 3: Camp Roosevelt to Caroline Furnace

Essential Info

This is the tough one. Duncan Knob, Kern’s Mountain, Bird Knob, Dry Run, and a final bitch-slap up Jawbone. 37.7 mi, 7,500 feet of climb. At least the last 5 miles are downhill.

Runners will be assigned a food or drink item to share (for the community aid) and are also allowed one drop bag. Entry is closed.

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MMT Training Run 3 route.

Altitude profile

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MMT Training Run 3 altitude profile

Training Run 4: Chocolate Bunny

Essential Info

The Chocolate Bunny, a.k.a. “Gap to Gap,” is a nighttime run designed to mimic what you'll experience during MMT. This run covers mile 68.7 to 95.4 of the race — some sections of which all MMT runners will do in the dark. While it is the shortest of the Academy runs (an even marathon), it’s got plenty of challenges including Kern’s Mountain, Bird Knob, and that slog up Dry Run at the end. Did we mention that it's at night?

Same drill as before: you will be assigned a food or drink item to share and you will be allowed one drop bag. We will meet at Gap Creek at 6:00 PM, ready to run at 6:30 PM. Entry is closed.

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MMT Training Run 4 (Chocolate Bunny) route.

Altitude profile

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Chocolate Bunny altitude profile

MMT Training Run 4 (Chocolate Bunny) altitude profile. 26.2 miles long with 5,400 feet of ascent.

Last modified: Mar 8, 2010