Great Eastern Endurance Run

Great Eastern Endurance Run (GEER)

The Great Eastern Endurance Run takes place at Sherando Lake Recreation Area, 96 Sherando Lake Rd, Lyndhurst, VA, on November 7, 2026. The event returns to this park after a long hiatus and is produced by Bad to the Bone Sports.

Distances offered:

• 40 Miler
• 20 Miler
• 10 Miler

The course runs through Appalachian forest and along ridgelines, mixing technical singletrack, rocky jeep roads, steep switchbacks, and short stretches of pavement. The route includes a summit of Bald Mountain and descents into forest hollows. Terrain is mostly singletrack and remote forest road.

Aid stations and support vary by distance. The 40 Miler has seven aid stations not including start and finish, the 20 Miler has two aid stations, and the 10 Miler has one aid station. The longest unsupported section noted is 9.3 miles on the 20 Miler. Aid stations are stocked with water, electrolyte drink, ice, fruit, salty snacks, sweet items, gels, candies, chips, and pretzels. Crew access is allowed at designated points reachable via the Blue Ridge Parkway; vehicles should park with all four wheels off the pavement. On the 40 Miler there is one crew only location at Bald Mountain Overlook which is not an aid station.

Cutoff times are strictly enforced for safety: the 40 Miler cutoff is 12 hours and the 20 Miler cutoff is 6 hours.

Drop bag rules require small backpack size, clear labeling with aid station name and bib number, and no valuables. Kennedy Trail drop bags return around 2 PM. Bald Mountain drop bags return after 4 PM and are not vehicle accessible. Unclaimed drop bags will not be shipped.

Primitive camping at Sherando Lake may be available pending Forest Service approval. Finishers receive a custom medal and a technical race shirt. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.