The Pilot Mountain Marathon and 20k Races return! Wind your way through the woods from the Pilot Creek Trailhead to the Mountain Section of Pilot Mountain State Park where you will climb up to the Pinnacle for views of the Piedmont below. Hot post-race meal at the finish line!!
The marathon course starts at the Pilot Creek Trailhead. Run the Pilot Creek Trail to the campground. Take a right on Grindstone trail, then a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. Take a left onto Mountain trail to explore the backside of the mountain. Turn left back onto Grindstone trail at the Ranger’s station, then loop the mountain again! (Take a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. Take a left onto Mountain trail to explore the backside of the mountain. Turn left back onto Grindstone trail at the Ranger’s station.) The second time around you will turn right onto Pilot Creek Trail to return to the start/Finish area. Full Aid Stations at approximately 3.3 miles, 7 miles, 13.5 miles, 17 miles, and 23.5 miles. Water only aid station at approximately 11.5 miles and 21.5 miles.
The 20K course starts at the Pilot Creek Trailhead. Run the Pilot Creek Trail to the campground. Take a right on Grindstone trail, then a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. turn left onto Pilot Creek Trail to return to the start/Finish area. See our website for elevation chart. Full Aid stations at approximately 3.3 miles, 7 miles, and 9 miles.
Full aid stations will have water, Gatorade, Coke, gels, PB&J sandwiches, Oreos, pretzels, and fruit.
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I survived!
This was my first mountain trail race! And OMG was I not ready! Somehow, I got turned around (blame myself) and ended-up circling the pinnacle twice! I blame it on … MORE
This was my first mountain trail race! And OMG was I not ready! Somehow, I got turned around (blame myself) and ended-up circling the pinnacle twice! I blame it on the thin air.lol
Btw, a big THANK YOU, to the race organizers for giving me credit for the 20k because I had fell behind the cut-off time by 11 minutes for the marathon distance, I had originally signed-up for. Oh well, I’ll be back next year.
On second thought, I was looking for a challenge, but DAMN! This mountain was no joke.