Bad to the Bone

Our lives’ ebb and flow is often reflected in the races we run and races we direct. Over the 25+ years of Bad to the Bone Sports, Gill and I directed countless road and trail races, have shaken more hands than there are visible stars, and I cannot even count how many times we have said “good job” to competing runners.

In 2011, we brought UROC onto the scene, attracting some of the best runners in the Country and the world for 12 years. UROC’s stage ranged from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with a point-point course from Breckenridge to Vail, then Auburn, California, and back to Virginia. UROC was a blast to direct, but also a logistical herculean feat.

Yearning to go back to our roots and old-school ultras, we have decided to retire UROC and bring back GEER (Great Eastern Endurance Run). www.geerultra.com GEER started at Bad to the Bone Sports' dawn at Sherando Lake Recreation Area, which has been closed to events since 2010. Too many events were clogging up the busiest recreation area in Virginia, and the National Forest's management decided to close it to special events.

After years of lobbying to return to Sherando Lake, we now have the unique opportunity to once more bring an event to the Recreation Area: here we are, then, with GEER 2025 at Sherando Lake. An old-school race with all the perks.

The event will take place on November 1 and include a 40 miler, 20 miler and 10 miler. The course is practically all delicious single-track and jeep roads, with the only pavement within the recreation area to reach the trails. The course for all three distances is challenging and spectacular.
We are also working with the Forest Service on primitive camping at Sherando Lake. The park and facilities will be closed for water main replacement. We are not sure we will be allowed to have camping yet, but we’ll update the website as soon as we have more information.

Registration will open on Friday, July 25th. www.geerultra.com We are keeping the prices reasonable: we want this event to reflect our commitment to the ultra running community and core values. Besides the “Bad to the Bone Sports” amazing, well-marked and designed course, fully stocked aid stations and supportive and fun atmosphere, your perks will include a well-crafted race finishers medal and technical shirt.
Pricing | 40 miler: $100 until September 1, $110 until October 1, $120 thereafter. 20 miler: $75 until September 1, $90 until October 1, $105 thereafter. 10 miler: $55 until September 1, $70 until October 1, $85 thereafter.
We hope to see you on November 1, 2025
Gill and Francesca
Bad to the Bone Sports
Bad to the Bone Sports is hiring a Race Production Manager. Contact Francesca at [email protected] for the job description.

I'm a big fan of animal sightings in the wild, however this one was a little close! A mom and two cubs appeared about 25 feet in front of me as I was climbing the West Ridge to the CO/CT trail near Keystone Colorado. I stopped; mom took a good look at me and decided I was too skinny 😁 to be a threat and moved along...

With Hendrix College – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

After only 7 days from the Leadville Marathon I completed race two of the Lead Challenge on Sunday, the Silver Rush 50 mile mountain bike race! Great day in the saddle, I took 50 minutes off my time in this race from last year. What was the difference? I actually trained on the bike this year! Bad to the Bone Leadville Race Series

Kicking off the 2024 racing season in an epic way! 33 miles, brutal cold, snow and MUD added to the challenge, but also dramatically increased the fun factor! Bad to the Bone

Bad to the Bone Sports is hiring!
Working for Bad to the Bone Sports means enjoying the outdoors, being involved with the trail and road running community and industry, learning the ins and outs of event production and having a blast with the BTTB team.

We have several part-time positions available: our hourly rates are very competitive. The job involves early mornings and heavy lifting.

Available positions
1. Logistics assistant for pre and post event tasks. The job includes tasks the week of an event, including loading the trucks with race supplies, clearing and marking trails, meeting with volunteers to deliver instructions, picking up supplies, stuffing race bags, organizing the race shed, cleaning race supplies, etc.

2. Race day event staff. On the day of the race, the job will involve several different tasks such as course marking, water stop set up, finish line and volunteer management. It will also include set up and breakdown of the race supplies and unpacking all the supplies.

3. Event Manager. The position includes in-depth and managerial event tasks, like course management, finish line management, pre-race marketing and organization, management of race staff and volunteers. The applicant will work closely with the founders of Bad to the Bone Sports to learn and manage events from beginning to end.

The 2024 event dates are:
March 9, Bel Monte Endurance Races
April 6, Charlottesville Marathon
April 27, UROC
May 18, Virginia Wine Country Half Marathon
October, Fall Classic Half Marathon

Contact Francesca at [email protected] for more details.

We are SO excited to announce a new sister event on September 2 at Mountain Run Winery in
"Mountain Run Winery is thrilled to host the Wine Country Half Marathon this Fall. Our 130-year old property makes the perfect backdrop for this race, and we look forward to welcoming you all in the Fall. Aside from its pastoral setting, our winery is known for high-quality wines, with our 2021 Petit Verdot being named to the Governor's Case during the 2023 Governor's Cup Wine Competition."
David Foster, Owner, Mountain Run Winery
September 2, https://virginiawinecountryhalf.com/index.php/september-2/race-info-sept
http://www.mountainrunwinery.com/

Did anyone say wine? The 12 Ridges Vineyard tasting room will be open 12-5 on Friday (28) and Saturday (29) for tasting and some snacks. Runners will go through the stunning viewing deck and crews will be able to enjoy some relax time. April 29, DON'T MISS IT!

will feature by MAProgress . Actual text from April 29, https://www.ultraroc.com/index.php

Live Tracking for this Saturday! Your friends and family will be able to follow you LIVE during the race. YOU MUST CARRY AND REGISTER YOUR PHONE! The live tracking will not work unless you register your phone and carry it during the race. Here is the link with all the info: https://belmonteraces.com/index.php/en/race-information/live-tracking
And here is the link to give your family and friends!
https://belmonte2023.maprogress.com/

Happy Holidays from ALL of us at ! May the new year be filled with adventures and joy: we can't wait to see all of you in 2023!

LABOR DAY CODE! USE CODE "RUNFORFUN2022" FOR 12% OFF!
Valid from August 31 to September 6th.
April 1, 2023.
Start training NOW for the Charlottesville Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K.
Here are 5 TRAINING TIPS:
1- Listening to your body is a smart way to prevent injury.
2- Use yoga and other full body mobilization techniques to prevent injuries.
4- Don't ignore nagging pains: talk to a professional before it becomes chronic.
5- Cross training is a GREAT way to improve fitness but minimize repetitive injuries, and it keeps the excitement in your daily training routine.
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Photo by FinisherPix