Hey there Stone Millers,
Time to strap on yer trail shoes, pull those big boy/big girl running shorts up and join MuddyShoes out on the Stone Mill course for a look-see at what you have waiting for you on race day! Woot! Woot! Betcha ’an’t wait!
For starters, think of the course in its entirety as an upside down lollipop. You have an out-n-back portion (the stick) and a biiiiiig loop (the candy part). We’ve divided that lollipop into four segments and will preview one section each week. This week – the stick! We’ll be begin at the official Stone Mill race starting line and do the entire out and back of the stick which are the 1st and last sections of the race itself. This will include running around Clopper Lake on the outbound. On the way back the course skips the lake and heads right on back to the Finish line at the school. The total mileage is in the 20-ish range but I might be off by a mile or too…so be it.
For starters lets see the logistical details:
Location: Stedwick Elementary School
Address: 10631 Stedwick Rd, Montgomery Village, MD 20886
Coords: 39.174232, -77.212356
Date: Saturday 8 October
Time: 0730 (I’ll start yapping at ya about the run at 0720 or so)
Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/UG1V9
Course: First and last sections of the Stone Mill Course
Distance: 20 or 21-ish miles. See what your Garmin says!
Course Aid: Yes, water at Riffle Ford Rd. turn around point
Cost: Donations accepted (coupla bucks, maybe a picture of Good Ol’ Abe or at least some spare change and Dorito crumbs from under your couch cushion 😊 Help support Muddy Shoes Trail Runners!!!
OK, some other stuff:
- Just for the record, all are welcome to join us on these runs. You don’t have to be signed up for Stone Mill. If you want to come out and just do a couple of miles, go for it! We just love to see people out in the woods, hittin’ the single track!
- I highly recommend you download caltopo on your phone and use the map link above. It helps with navigation if you get in a pickle out in the woods. Shows your location live and where the trail is.
- The course for Saturday is flagged by two trail flagging experts (Thanks Coach Mike E. and Coach Phil!!!). If you get lost, well…..never mind. We’ll discuss tricky intersections before the run.
- Saturday will go from cold (45 degrees and breezy to 60 degrees with a breeze. This will be a good run to test your race day wardrobe management plan.
- My lawyer wanted me to let you know the following – *Please note, the course may not be marked beyond the normal trail markings (tree blazes), and neither Stone Mill nor MyMuddyShoes are responsible or liable for any incidents that may occur during these runs. This includes fronting bail money!
Well, I think I’ve talked enough for now.
C U there. These trails ain’t gonna run themselves!
Cheers,
Muddy Shoes