King of the Mountain
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King of the Mountain at Oak Mountain State Park
King of the Mountain is a trail 5K held at Oak Mountain State Park, North Trailhead in Pelham, Alabama. The course uses single-track trails and mixed terrain, covering approximately 3.1 miles with about 1,100 feet of climbing and descending.
The route begins on a short service road before entering the Blue Trail single track. Runners encounter rolling uphill sections and a steep climb on Outback Highway, then continue across rugged terrain, including boulder-strewn top-outs and slippery pine-straw downhills. A walk-worthy climb leads to the halfway water station and the feature known as King's Chair. After a runnable quarter mile the course reaches a final climb to Eagles Nest, followed by roughly half a mile of technical downhill that returns to Red Road for the finish. Participants are advised to watch footing on the technical sections.
Awards are limited to two overall placements: King and Queen. If a female wins overall she is both King and Queen unless another female finishes second; men are not eligible for the Queen award. Any runner who completes the course in under 40 minutes receives an additional recognition described as being knighted.
Registration opens January 29, 2026 and closes June 15, 2026; the listed registration fee is $20.00. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
