A mind-bending, heart-pounding, leg-crushing race to the top of Southwest Virginia.
Climb to the highest point in the Cumberland Mountains! The High Knob Hellbender is a challenging 6.2-mile road race that climbs more than 2,000 feet in elevation from its starting point in Norton, Va., the smallest incorporated city in the entire state, to the 4,200-foot High Knob Observation Tower in the Jefferson National Forest.
The elevation is 2,200 feet above sea level at the starting point behind the city’s municipal parking lot. Runners head northeast behind downtown to Coeburn Avenue where they turn right and continue to the Kentucky Avenue intersection. The route turns right onto Kentucky Avenue, and a few early climbs might seem like the ascent has begun, but the best is yet to come! Runners pass beneath U.S. 23 and begin climbing in earnest at the city’s Legion Park. Following a stout climb past the park, local landmark Benge’s Rock will be on the right. This is where the first aid station will be located.
Farther up the road, runners pass by the entrance of Flag Rock Recreation Area, a city park named for an impressive overlook of Norton and the Virginia-Kentucky state line. Following a few more twists and turns, runners reach the city reservoir where the second aid station is located. This is also the trailhead for the City of Norton’s Flag Rock Area Trails system, which is open to foot travel and mountain biking.
The climbing only continues until runners reach the turn for U.S. Forest Service Road No. 238. After turning left, it’s only half a mile until the final push to the parking lot and 4,200-foot summit where an observation tower offers a 360-degree view of distant peaks as far away as the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and West Virginia. This is also the highest point in the Cumberland Mountains.
Total elevation gain: 2,046 feet.
Awards
Awards will be presented to the top three men and women winners and overall masters man and woman (age 40 and up). We will also have age group awards for the top three men and women in the following categories: 29 and Under; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; and 60 and over. Additionally, finisher medals will be given to everyone who reaches the summit.
Aid Stations
We will have aid stations at approximately the 2.5-, 4-, and 5-mile markers.
Clothing Bags
If you have a clothing bag that needs to be taken to the finish line, please let the race director know. We will have a vehicle that can take bags to the summit.
Time Limit
All runners are encouraged to finish the course by 1 p.m.
Shuttle
Runners will be shuttled from the race finish back to downtown Norton using Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ bus service.
Weather Outlook
We will post a weather outlook closer to the 2021 race date.
Spectators/Parking
The parking area where the race will finish is small with only 20 spaces. There will be volunteer vehicles, rescue vehicles, and possibly shuttle buses using some of these spaces so parking will be limited for spectators. If you have spectators and they don’t mind a short walk to and from the finish line, please contact the race director for directions to a gravel lot approximately 0.6 miles from the finish line that can be used for parking
Hellbender research
The inspiration for the race’s namesake is not only the “hell-bending” road runners will tackle to reach the High Knob summit, but also the Eastern Hellbender. This large, aquatic salamander can be found in Virginia in the mainstem and tributaries of the New River drainage and in the Clinch, Powell, and Holston River tributaries of the Upper Tennessee River. They can live to 30 years in the wild and more than 50 years in captivity. Faculty and students at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise are researching this giant amphibian in hopes of learning more about where it lives within the region.
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The Hard Rock of 10Ks?
I loved this 10k. The idea of all uphill (most of the +2,000 ft is in the last 5 miles). The setting, the way the production fit the race (no … MORE
I loved this 10k. The idea of all uphill (most of the +2,000 ft is in the last 5 miles). The setting, the way the production fit the race (no chip time, no need – no pr’s here), and of course the challenge of pretty much up hill all the way. Perfect weather in 2020 to top it off.
The point to point course starts next to the main street of Norton, VA and climbs to the scenic lookup above the town. A significant portion has the classic switchbacks of a road that only leads to an overlook – where you slow the vehicle down to make the sharp turn. Woods provided pleasant scenery and shade. The last 50 yards are flat but otherwise it is uphill.
The production was smooth, the swag terrific – the hellbender on the tshirt has a facemask for 2020, and the age group award mugs were locally made. It was smart to go with gun time and presumably lower the cost so more money goes toward the charitable cause. The race start was late enough in the morning to allow easy driving to Norton from where ever you spent the night.
I loved seeing what I could do, and there is the added benefit of all the hills in the races following the Hellbender seeming insignificant.