The view of the Shenandoah Valley from Bird Knob, taken during the 2001 Catherine’s Fat Ass.

Keith Knipling

Catherine’s Fat Ass

Roughly 50 km run in the southern Massanuttens named for nearby Catherine Furnace, one of four iron blast furnaces operated within that mountain range during the 19th century.

Date
  • Sat Jul 22, 2023
Start location
Start time
  • 7:00 am
Distance
  • 29.1 miles
Total ascent/descent
  • 5,700 feet
Aid stations
  1. Bird Knob (5.9 miles)
  2. Catherine's Furnace (10.3 miles)
  3. Morgan Run (13.0 miles)
  4. Pitt Spring (18.4 miles)
  5. Catherine's Furnace (20.2 miles)
  6. Bird Knob (24.5 miles)
GPX file
Print or download
In charge
Reports
Catherine's Furnace, the namesake of the run
Catherine Furnace, the namesake of the run.

Entry into the 2022 edition of Catherine’s Fat Ass 50k opened on Monday June 6 at 9 AM, and we filled the field of 75 in less than 24 hours. Entry on to a wait list opened up the next day, and was closed two weeks prior to the July 23 run date, as the total number of additional runners on the wait list was up to 27. The wait list was utilized in chronological order; everyone on the wait list ultimately was afforded the opportunity to join the entrants list.

If you have signed up for the run, either as a direct entrant or as a member of the wait list, please email RD Chelsea Smith if you find that you will not be able to come out for the run after all. This courtesy to your fellow runners and to the RDs is very much appreciated!

In 2014, and after 14 wonderful years as Catherine’s FA’s director, event founder Jeff Reed decided to pass on the torch. As such, Dan Aghdam took over as VHTRC’s RD for this very difficult, hot, and awesome (you might not think that after you finish) event. And for 2022, the transition to a new era will begin, with Chelsea Smith directing the event with Dan. In 2023 Chelsea will take over as the solo CFA RD, as Dan will be taking the helm at the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Miler that year.

  1. The course will have 6 Aid Stations. Aid stations 1, 2, 5, and 6 will be fully stocked. Aid stations 3 and 4 will have water only.
  2. The fully stocked aid stations will consist of liquids supplied by the club (water, Gatorade, sodas and ice), and aid bags provided by each runner. Bring two labeled Ziploc bags for the two aid points with your personal food and/or drink options to the start, and drop them in the appropriate bins when you check in pre-run. You will then find one bag during your two passes through the Catherine’s Furnace aid station (A.S 2 and 5), and your other Ziploc bag during your two passes through the Bird Knob aid station (A.S. 1 and 6). The aid station volunteers “may” bring those runner bags back to the finish after they close, but don’t expect to get them back and don’t put anything you would hate to lose in either bag. These are not drop bags, they are for your aid purposes only - so no change of clothing, shoes, etc.
  3. All runners who enter the event will have to stay on the course. If you choose to take a different path you are required to drop out of the event at an AS and you must let the AS Captain know that you are dropping out. From that point on you are on your own.
  4. As usual, we will have a great party at the end. So plan your day to allow plenty of time for post-run recovery and socializing!
  5. Entry will open through the VHTRC’s online signup system on Monday June 5th, 2023 at 9 AM. If the limit of 75 is met, then a wait list will be built.

Volunteers are the life blood of the CFA 50k! If you are interested in coming out the day of the event (Saturday July 23) to help, please contact RD Chelsea Smith. We are also looking for course markers the day before the run; again, contact RD Chelsea to help get those infamous CFA green ribbons out on the trails!

Please make sure you thank the following individuals who donated their time for the 2022 event.

• Chelsea Smith
• Dan Aghdam
• Haley Jones
• Daniel Gracias
• Carrie Drummond
• Alisa Springman
• Jim Daniels
• Katie Keier
• Todd Folmsbee
• Bruce Tweedie
• Charlene Howard
• John Hord
• Carl Bligan
• Kevin Bligan
• Tracy Cooley
• Jesse Fuller
• Allison Holko
• Quatro Hubbard
• Adi Smith
• Stan Spence
• Jamie Greenawalt
• Larry Huffman
• Jeni Dwyer
• Jayme Dubinsky
• Ivory Lira

Course description

Aid Station Split Cumulative Notes Map
Bird Knob 5.9 mi 5.9 mi
Catherine’s Furnace 4.4 mi 10.3 mi
Morgan Run 2.7 mi 13.0 mi  
Pitt Spring 5.4 mi 18.4 mi  
Catherine’s Furnace 1.8 mi 20.2 mi
Bird Knob 4.3 mi 24.5 mi

Notes

  • Water only.

From the parking lot the early miles climb gradually up a twisty and sometimes rocky trail for about 1.9 miles to the start of the steep climb up to Bird Knob. It is about 1.5 mile to a picnic area, and then another .4 mile to the start of the climb up to Bird Knob. The trail forms a T intersection, and the Bird Knob trail is on the left (if you continued straight, you would go to the Visitors Center). So you must turn left on the orange blazed trail and go up the mountain. You go up for about two miles — steep for only a half mile or so, then slightly less intense. Be sure to check out the views at the top. You can look over New Market and the green Shenandoah Valley below. Really excellent!

Map and elevation profile of Catherine's Fat Ass 50 km
Map and elevation profile of Catherine’s Fat Ass 50 km.

The trail continues on south along the top, with some slight ups and downs, with lots of rocks, but it gets a little more runnable as you go south. You will come to a sign on the right side of the trail that says something like Bird Knob is a couple of miles ahead, but indicates there is a trail to the left. Continue on (to the right) toward Bird Knob, and following the white blazes. You will run some more miles, and crossing some cleared Forest Service roads (but continue on the trail south). You will eventually come to a clearing. The trail will seem to die, with a faint hint of trail to the left and ahead — turn left and go down the hill. As you go, you will see the trail pick up again and go down into a little gully. It broadens and becomes easy to run. You will go to a Forest Service road again, and find yourself running on it through the little gully, then up to the southeast to a gravel road. There will be a metal barrier across the road. Go around it onto the gravel road. You have just completed the first section — estimated to be about 7 miles. This is also the first aid station of the run.

Bird Knob to Catherine Furnace — about 4 miles

After you leave the aid station follow the dirt road down for about ½ mile and you will come to a left turn on Roaring Run Trail (Purple). Make the left turn and go up to the top and turn right to go down the Purple Trail, heading south (do not turn on Pink), in between two mountains until you reach Catherine Furnace.

Catherine Furnace to the Yellow Trail — about 3 miles

After refilling at Catherine Furnace, go back onto the road and continue your downward venture. Bear left at the intersection and across the little bridge onto Cub Run Road. Up you go for about 2 and a half miles to the Morgan Run Trail (Yellow). Aid station number 3 is located at the turn onto Yellow (water only). This station is more limited in its offerings than the major aid stations.

Yellow Trail to the Orange Trail — about 1.5 miles

The Yellow Trail (Morgan Run Trail) goes up to the Orange Trail, heading west. It is nearly straight up a hollow in between opposing mountain slopes. It just about goes up the middle of a stream too — called Morgan Run. It is truly beautiful and green, but rocky and slow going. Be VERY careful for the slippery rocks. Think of this section as icy and you will do stay upright. As you get to the top the trail will flatten out and get soft. There are a lot of ferns, and could be a bit muddy. At the Orange Trail intersection turn right.

Orange Trail to Pitt Spring — about 3.7 miles

The Orange Trail heads north, with some ups and downs, but it is all very runnable. It is a Forest Service fire road that is a bit overgrown. You will run along it for about 3.7 miles. As you approach Pitt Spring, there will be a clear change to a downhill trail. You will come out to the spring, and aid station (water only).After the aid station you will be back on the gravel road heading east to Cub Run.

Pitt Spring to Catherine Furnace/Purple Trail — about 2 miles

Clean, cool water is abundant at Pitt Springs
Clean, cool water is abundant at Pitt Springs.

At Pitt Spring, refill your water again. At the road, turn downhill to the right, heading the same direction as before (on section three). Except this time, when you reach the marked intersection, turn left and follow the dirt road to Catherine Furnace (aid station #5). From the left turn, it is about a half mile downhill. The furnace will be on your left, clearly visible. You will cross over the little creek and immediately turn left onto the purple trail. The purple blazes are hard to see, but the trailhead is clear, and it is very close to the furnace and the stream.

Purple Trail End to Bird Knob — about 4 miles

The Purple Trail is evil. It is long, slow climbing, in a hot part of the day, on a difficult, rocky trail. The start is kind of cool — shaded and easy to run, but it gets insidious within a mile. And that’s the bite. You think it is going to be easy, but it just keeps on going up. Oh hell, it is still fun, of course, but be prepared for your legs to be aching when you get over the mountain to the road. You will go up the Purple Trail, heading north, in between two mountains. This is a long, progressively steeper climb. You are not anywhere close to the top until you get to the switchbacks. Follow the too steep downhill to the dirt road and make a right turn. There is a nice view of the valley if you stop there and look back from where you came.

After only half a mile of dirt road you will come to aid station number six. From the aid station, continue up the dirt road straight to the metal gate. Go around the barrier and follow the “Ant Road.” From this gate all the tough uphills are done! It is not quite all downhill from here, but close enough!

Back to the Start — about 6 miles

The gravel road will change into a wide dirt road, then grow narrower, but still clearly a jeep type road. It will go slightly right at some points. Be prepared for several cross roads and one road that goes straight ahead but leads to a dead end — you will want to bear right when in doubt. The dirt road feels longer than it looks on the map. At the end is a clearing, and the Bird Knob Trail in on the left of the clearing. There will be a little opening, and pretty much nowhere else to go. Within a few dozen feet, you will come upon the sign you saw in the first section. Turn right, head to the north, and go back down the mountain. It will still be some miles before you are done, but the trail will be somewhat familiar, shaded, and with some great views on the way. At the bottom of the Bird Knob Trail, turn right and continue back to the East 211 Parking Lot. It is a nice gentle downhill in the last 2 miles, and you will be very happy indeed by that time to be done.

About

Catherines FA 50k has been going on, more or less, since 2001. It was originally founded by Peyton Robinson and Jeff Reed (see Jeff Reed’s old CFA site). Over the years it has become one of the most popular events for local VHTRC runners, and sometimes for not so local ultrarunners. This is mostly due to the course, which is beautiful and difficult; to the friendly atmosphere; and to the awesome trail party that usually forms in the 211 East Parking Lot at the start/finish.

The course itself totals just under 50k, but nobody has ever complained about it being too short. Much of the course is very runnable, only to have all that running kick you in the butt later. You get to navigate over rocky climbs, smooth wooded trails, mossy creek beds, great overlooks, and well-maintained dirt roads, while potentially encountering goats, bears, snakes, deer, Kniplings, and other wildlife. What more could you ask?

It should also be noted that over the years many individuals have contributed towards making this event a possibility. Jeff Reed and Dan Aghdam would like to especially thank Peyton Robinson, Tom Corris, Bill “Van Animal” Van Antwerp, Linda Wack, Vicki Kendall, Dave Yeakel, Quatro Hubbard, Mike Bur, and Brian McNeil among many, many others, without whom this event would not have happened or lasted over the years. Thank you.

Last updated July 26, 2022

Club Event Participant Medical Policy

This is an event with very real risks to your well being. The VHTRC does not provide medical care for runners at this event. Runners are responsible for their own health, safety, and well being at this event. No doctors, nurses, or emergency medical technicians, or anyone with any medical training are available along the course, at any aid station, or at the finish. The club does not supply any medical goods or services, including bandages, splints, antiseptic, or Ibuprofen or any other drugs to maintain the health of runners. Physical, medical, and emergency care is the runners' responsibility. In case of an emergency, we will endeavor to get local emergency personnel to an injured runner as soon as possible. Since most of our events are in remote areas, medical care may be far away in distance or time. Each year, runners finish — or are forced to drop out — with scrapes, deep cuts, hematomas, dislocations, and sprains. Runners have experienced cuts, bruises, bee stings, and asthma attacks. This is an event with very real risks.