The StumpJump 50k is an
ultramarathon
An ultramarathon, also called ultra distance or ultra running, is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon length of . Various distances are raced competitively, from the shortest common ultramarathon of to over . 50k and 100k are bot ...
in the
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, also referred to as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical region of the United States. It is located broadly on the eastern portion of the southern United States and the southern por ...
that features a grueling course of extreme elevation changes and technical trail sections. The annual event takes place the first Saturday in October on the
Signal Mountain, Tennessee
Signal Mountain is a town in Hamilton County, Tennessee, United States. The town is a suburb of Chattanooga and is located on Walden Ridge. "Signal Mountain" is used as a colloquial name for the part of Walden Ridge close to the town. The town ...
, portion of the
Cumberland Trail. In 2007 the race field was limited to 400 participants to limit the impact on this wilderness area. The race benefits the Cumberland Trail Conference, and in 2007, raised $4,000 for CTC's for trail-building and maintenance programs.
Course
The course is shaped like a lollipop, with a total elevation gain of several thousand feet. Runners leave the stick of the lollipop at mile 10.3, then run a 10.2 mile loop and rejoin the stick at mile 20.5. This means that runners see the first 10 or so miles twice, which contains the most elevation change in the whole race. Runners cross Suck Creek Road twice.
The 50k course’s first and last 4 miles are on a jeep/dirt road. For the middle portion of the race, the trail is predominantly technical single track made up of packed dirt and mountain stone, including one section runners have nicknamed the "Rock Garden".
History and records
The Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k was started in 2002 by local trail running enthusiast Matt Sims as a way to get support for the Cumberland Trail Conference and promote local participation in trail running. Today, the race receives some of trail running’s top athletes including Max King, Duncan Callahan,
John Stamstad
John Stamstad is a member of the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame. He was famous for his domination of long-distance mountain bike races. He entered his first long-distance road bike race in 1985. The non-stop race was across Missouri from St. Lo ...
, Josh Beckham, Peter Kazery, Bryan Dayton and David Riddle, who holds the course record of 3 hours 49 min. and 52 seconds, set in 2011. Kris Whorton holds the women’s record with a time of 4:50:39. The race was founded with the support of
Rock/Creek
Rock/Creek is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based sporting goods retailer of clothing and gear for rock climbing, paddling, trail running, hiking, camping and travel.
History
Founded as Rock/Creek Outfitters and Canoeist Headquarters in 1987 when Daw ...
, a local retailer. Today the race is a part of the larger Salomon Rock/Creek Trail Series.
External links
StumpJump official siteBad Beard Trail Series official siteFirst-timer's report from 2003 eventRock/Creek StumpJump 50K flickr group
Ultramarathons in the United States
Sports competitions in Tennessee
Hamilton County, Tennessee
Sports in Tennessee
2002 establishments in Tennessee
Recurring sporting events established in 2002
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