Highball to Thurmond Ultra
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Event overview
The Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay is a point-to-point trail event on May 17, 2026, that runs through New River Gorge National Park and finishes in Thurmond, West Virginia. The race offers in-person and virtual options and includes aid stations and finish-line amenities such as a finisher medal and a custom hoodie. Participants may purchase an Amtrak train ticket to return from Thurmond to the start area after finishing.
Race options and course
Available events:
- 50 Mile
- 50K
- 50K Ruck
- 50 Mile Relay
- 50 Mile Pacer
- Virtual 50 Mile
- Virtual 50K
The 50 Mile and 50 Mile Relay are point-to-point from Montgomery to Thurmond and include a mix of paved road (about 12 miles), mountain dirt roads, and singletrack trails. The 50 Mile course is listed with roughly 5,000 feet of elevation gain. The 50K is a daylight point-to-point from Hawks Nest State Park to Thurmond with about 3,100 ft of elevation gain and marked, aided trail sections. The relay may be run by teams of 2 to 4, with handoffs allowed at official aid stations and the requirement that each team member runs at least one leg.
Registration and policies
Entry fees vary by event and may increase on a stated date. Virtual events have separate registration deadlines. The stated refund policy: no refunds within 30 days of the event; earlier requests may be eligible for a 50% refund of entry fees (processing fees excluded). Entries cannot be deferred to another event or year. Entries may be transferred to another person for a $5 fee. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
