The Grand Slam is a group of the 4 original 100 mile races that is done in the same year, or actually, within a 4 month period. Here is a link that describes it fully:
The first race, the Western States 100, is said to be the original 100 mile race, held in California on June 25-26 of this year. Runners climb a total of 17,500 feet before all is said and done.
The second race, the Vermont 100, is only 3 weeks after Western States, July 17-18. Slammers (as those who attempt the Grand Slam are called) are supposed to shake off the rigors of Western States and recover in time to finish another 100 miler. This is the "easiest" of the series; by easiest I mean a total gain of "only" 14,000 feet from start to finish. I did this race, and it was definitely no picnic.
The third race, the Leadville 100, was held this past weekend, about 5 weeks after Vermont, on August 21-22. 5 weeks is a little more rest, but you have to remember that the Slammers now have to shake off TWO 100 milers before attempting the third. Oh, and this race is at altitude and a LOT tougher than Vermont. This race is reported to be about 14,000 feet of total climbing, but most of the race is held above 10,000 ft. above sea level, a challenge in itself.
The last race, the Wasatch Front 100, will be held on September 10, only 3 weeks after Leadville and that this race is definitely the toughest of the 4. The total climbing is over 26,000 feet, about 3,000 feet short of climbing Mt. Everest. For those who are running on legs that have done 3 previous 100 milers, this is one tall order.
The odds seem stacked against anyone who attempts the Grand Slam, yet there are more people who actually achieve this feat now than anytime in the past. It is a tribute to the resiliency of the human body that this can be done.
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