Ridge to Rails - Old Fort, NC
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Ridge to Rails - Old Fort, NC
The Ridge to Rails event in Old Fort, North Carolina offers three trail races that use a mix of established and new trails in the Old Fort Gateway Trail system and surrounding Mill Creek Valley. Courses combine singletrack, gravel stretches, double track, and some paved sections through Camp Grier and nearby ridge lines.
Distances:
- 50k : one large loop using local trails and forest roads.
- Half marathon : net downhill point to point from the Blue Ridge crest to Old Fort.
- 10k : figure 8 loop within the Old Fort Gateway Trail system.
Course details note use of named trails and roads including Jarrett Creek Rd, Star Gap Trail, Bernard Mtn Rd, Bernard Mtn Trail, Point Lookout Trail, Kitsuma Trail, Copper Ridge Trail, Rostan Trail, and Salt Gap Trail. The half marathon descends about 2,500 ft over roughly 13 miles with less than half that total ascent. Elevation figures for the races are: 50k gain/loss ~5,700 ft, half gain ~1,200 ft and loss ~2,600 ft, 10k gain/loss ~750 ft.
Event services include multiple aid stations (five on the 50k, two on the half, one on the 10k), shuttle service required for half marathon runners, parking at Camp Grier, and packet pickup available the day before and on race morning. All racers receive a race t-shirt, sticker, and finisher medal; top finishers and age group winners receive awards and gift certificates. Specific race rules cover trail etiquette, staying on marked routes, aid station check ins, no pacers, and procedures for dropping from the race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
