Quest for the Crest 50k

Quest for the Crest : Burnsville, NC (May 16-17, 2026)

Quest for the Crest is a point-to-point trail event in Burnsville, North Carolina, organized by Run Bum Races / RunBumTours. Distances listed for this edition are:

• 50K
• 25K
• 11K

Course, requirements, and event details

The courses put runners on steep, technical trails with sections that require using hands and ropes. The 50K is described with about 12,000 ft of vertical gain and includes multiple peaks, finishing on the summit of Mt. Mitchell. The first climb for the main races is a 2.5 mile ascent with about 3,300 ft of gain. The 11K is a one-way hill climb to the summit of Mt. Mitchell; runners are given 4.5 hours with various cutoffs and there is no formal aid on that course, although there are places to fill water. All runners are required to take a shuttle to the race start. Event swag includes a pint glass and a hat or beanie; 50K finishers receive a medal and runners receive free photos. The organizer states this is a rugged, high-risk trail event and warns it should not be a participant’s first trail race. The stated refund policy: no refunds/transfers within 90 days of the event; beyond 90 days partial credit or full credit options apply in certain cases. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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