Old Dominion has stayed relevant because it’s part of the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (along with Western States, Vermont, Leadville, Wasatch). The grand slam used to be more of a thing. I wonder if anyone running OD was going for the slam?
Yea, I had that detail in but chose to cut it, as I try to stay somewhat true to the "minute" part of "The Ultra Minute," and have to cut quite a bit. Do you actually think that's the only reason it's "relevant?" For me, it's the history and old-school appeal, though I must confess I'm a native Virginian, so perhaps I'm a bit biased.
I'd say that OD is on a resurgence since it re-joined the Grand Slam (it wasn't part of the GS after 2001 when there was a race hiatus and the GS added Vermont in its place -- OD was only recently added back). I will also say that its old school feel, runnable course sprinkled with technical Massanutten trail, and its storied history make it a favorite of many. I loved my race experience there in 2018 and now I go back as crew every year. In this era of blow up arches, corporate sponsors, collecting stones and tickets, OD is just simple and sneaky hard. And really special.
Old Dominion has stayed relevant because it’s part of the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (along with Western States, Vermont, Leadville, Wasatch). The grand slam used to be more of a thing. I wonder if anyone running OD was going for the slam?
Yea, I had that detail in but chose to cut it, as I try to stay somewhat true to the "minute" part of "The Ultra Minute," and have to cut quite a bit. Do you actually think that's the only reason it's "relevant?" For me, it's the history and old-school appeal, though I must confess I'm a native Virginian, so perhaps I'm a bit biased.
I haven’t run OD so I honestly don’t know; I just meant to suggest that’s one reason it’s kept running!
I'd say that OD is on a resurgence since it re-joined the Grand Slam (it wasn't part of the GS after 2001 when there was a race hiatus and the GS added Vermont in its place -- OD was only recently added back). I will also say that its old school feel, runnable course sprinkled with technical Massanutten trail, and its storied history make it a favorite of many. I loved my race experience there in 2018 and now I go back as crew every year. In this era of blow up arches, corporate sponsors, collecting stones and tickets, OD is just simple and sneaky hard. And really special.
Phil Sanderson was there for his 7th grand slam! I think there were 4 total runners going for it this year.
Massive update! Thanks for staying on top of so much!