The Mountain Masochist Trail Run is a long-running ultra in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.
Although the course has changed several times since the event was founded, its character as a long run through forests and mountain trails remains.
The current course starts and finishes in Montebello, following the historic course in the opposite direction toward the Mount Pleasant loop.
By using both old routes and newly connected sections, it links the parts that carry the event's history with today's mountain trails in one journey.
The early stages pass Old Hotel Trail around Mount Pleasant and an old jeep road, then continue south along dirt and gravel roads in the national forest.
Later, old logging roads and singletrack alternate, repeatedly changing from wide roads to narrow woodland trails.
The final section descends from Potter's Ridge toward Montebello.
The organisers say that changes to course have reduced the proportion of gravel roads and increased the time spent in the mountains and on singletrack.
This means that the feeling of following mountain trails is at the heart of the event.
The race takes place as the autumn colours deepen across the Blue Ridge.
You can run among the trees of the national forest and experience the seasonal scenery while linking old mountain roads with narrow trails.
Long-distance and shorter ultra events are offered, allowing you to choose a mountain experience of a different length.
This event takes you through the mountain paths and long-running local running culture against a backdrop of autumn foliage.
Even as course changes, the journey linking the Blue Ridge forest over a long distance continues.
