The Challenge is this: Begin at dawn in Black Mountain, the quaint “front porch of Western North Carolina”, and follow trails to the “rooftop” of Western North Carolina, the 6,684′ summit of Mount Mitchell – eastern America’s highest point – then return to the start/finish area! With a starting altitude of 2,360′, the elevation gain for this 40-mile run will be 4,324′ – in the first 20 miles!
Race founders Wendell Begley of Black Mountain Savings and Trent Thomas from Black Dome Mountain Sports saw a need for this kind of event for both the elite athlete and the weekend warrior. Their goal was to design a race that was attainable physically while offering the opportunity to test oneself against the often-uncooperative forces of nature!
The Marathon runners start side-by-side with the Challengers and duplicate their course to the Black Mountain Gap overlook on the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, at an elevation of 5,340′ and with an extraordinary view of Mount Mitchell as a backdrop, Marathoners will turn and retrace their course to the Start/Finish area in Black Mountain.
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGERS OR THE DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN THIS EVENT!
This will be an extremely demanding course run over rugged mountain terrain under potentially life-threatening weather conditions. Participants must understand that their safety is paramount in the minds of the organizers and that while all reasonable precautions have been taken, it will be the competitor’s ultimate responsibility to insure his or her own safety.
We are proud to say that a portion of proceeds from proceeds will go to several non-profit groups that support land conservancy, wilderness safety and mountain hertitage…they include the Black Mountain Fire/Rescue Team, the Swannanoa Valley Museum and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy…An organization dedicated to the preservation of the wild places in which we love to play…Especially the area containing Mt. Mitchell…Click here to see what the SAHC is doing to protect the land we are racing in…
THE MOUNTAIN… Mount Mitchell is, at 6,684, the highest peak in eastern America nearly 400 higher than New Hampshires Mount Washington. Once known by its indian name of Black Dome, its name was changed to honor Dr. Elisha Mitchell through whose efforts the controversy over that lofty distinction was settled. (It is Dr. Mitchell’s stone grave which marks the turnaround of the Challenge at the mountain’s summit!).
Many visitors (and runners) find it hard to identify Mount Mitchell among the other peaks in the thirteen-mile-long Black Mountain Range…a common problem since six other peaks in the range are greater than 6,500! Due to its elevation, the climate and the ecosystems of Mount Mitchell more closely resemble that of New Hampshire and Maine. The consequence of its elevation provides perhaps the most profound surprise to visitors…especially to those who arrive on foot! Because of the meteorological variability, race organizers have said that there will never be a “course record” for these events as the influences of weather conditions outweighs even the demands of the steep terrain.
SAFETY…
Injuries… The rough terrain of this course coupled with the forces of nature make it quite likely that a competitor will suffer some sort of injury during this event…ranging from abrasions, contusions, or sprains as a result of falls… to hypothermia… to animal encounters, as this is still the natural habitat of the wildcat and the black bear. Be prepared to cope with whatever Mother Nature may see fit to send your way. Please note that firearms are not permitted within North Carolinas State Parks.
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