Published: March 26, 2008 03:52 pm            

Gristmill Grinder taking sign-ups

Race director Donnie Hudspeth is hoping for a field of more than 100 competitors for the fourth annual Babcock Gristmill Grinder, a half marathon trail run set for Saturday, April 19, at Babcock State Park in Fayette County.

“We have about 25 runners who have already pre-registered,” Hudspeth said Thursday. “I had three from Pennsylvania yesterday. We have had quite a few from Pennsylvania and a few people from the Beckley area.”

Online registration with a credit card is available at gauleyrace.com. The Web site also includes a pre-registration form that can be printed and mailed. Pre-registration forms must be postmarked by April 9. Online registration closes at noon April 18.

Race-day registration will begin at 8 a.m. April 19 at the Sugar Camp Run picnic area, where the race will start at 10 a.m. and end.

Again this year, there will be a 3-mile fun walk that will start at 10:10 a.m. and take walkers to the Babcock Gristmill and back.

“It’s on the road, but there will be little or no traffic,” Hudspeth said.

He also said the gristmill would be a good place for spectators.

“The runners will go by around 10:15 and again around 11 or 11:15. If the weather is nice, that’s a good thing to do, a nice place to be.”

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The Babcock event again will be part of the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners points series — the first of seven races in the series this year — and Trail Runner Magazine’s Trophy Series. In addition, it’s been added this year to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine’s Cup Series.

The course will be essentially the same as last year.

“I’m considering flip-flopping a couple of sections, which I think would make it a little easier, but the big part of the course will be the same,” Hudspeth said.

The course includes single-track and double-track trails and occasional short road sections. It also features spectacular overlooks, lush green moss, rhododendron tunnels, waterfalls and more, Hudspeth said.

The race will coincide with the park’s opening weekend of the summer season. Camping and cabins will be available and the gift shop will be open, Hudspeth said.

“The Sugar Camp Run picnic area, which is past the lake, is not normally open that time of year, but they’ll open it for us,” he added. “There will be plenty of parking, and there’s a pavilion and picnic tables.”

Competitors will again receive coupons good for $5 off at certain Fayetteville restaurants, Hudspeth said.

For more information, visit gauleyrace.com or call Hudspeth at 575-3294.

        

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