Mt Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon
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Mt Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon
The event in Black Mountain, NC includes a Marathon and a 40 mile Challenge that follow trails from the start area up toward Mount Mitchell and return to the start/finish in Black Mountain. The route reaches high elevations and uses a mix of paved road, single track, and rough gravel.
- Marathon: out-and-back to the Blue Ridge Parkway turnaround at Black Mountain Gap.
- 40 mile Challenge: continues from the Parkway turnaround to the Mount Mitchell summit and back.
The course begins near 2,360 feet above sea level and reaches the Mount Mitchell summit at 6,684 feet. The total elevation gain for the Challenge is 4,324 feet in the first 20 miles. The first and final three miles are paved; from mile three the route is a mix of single track and rough gravel. The summit approach is run on a combination of pavement and trail when trail access is available. The current course uses the Old Mitchell Trail from Stepps Gap to the summit and descends via State Road 128. A course map is available.
Aid stations number 10 for the Challenge and 6 for the Marathon. Stations provide water, Gatorade, fruit, salty and sweet snacks, and some offer hot soup. Participants must follow a pack in pack out rule for personal gear. First 250 runners who reach the Parkway turnaround within the race cutoff window may continue to the summit; remaining runners complete the Marathon. There is a drop date of January 1 for deferrals or refunds with conditions. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
