How hilly is the Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon?
The Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon is described as mountainous.
Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2027 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Official event website & entry ↗Data current as of
Decision summary
Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon at a glance
- Cut-off average pace
- 9:19/km
- Typical conditions
- 88/100
- Evidence depth
- 29 verified facts
10:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Source facts available
Route details
Known course facts at a glance
Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon has known course details for its ultramarathon race. The summary below keeps the focus on what is confirmed for the course.
- Official distance
- 64.4 km
- Terrain
- Trail
- Scenery
- Countryside, Mountain, Waterfront, Forest
Quick answers
What runners ask first
Where does the Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon route go?
The Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon route starts at Black Mountain, North Carolina (start/finish area), starting altitude 2,360' and finishes at Black Mountain, North Carolina (same start/finish area). Underfoot, expect rugged mountain trail; current route follows the Old Mitchell Trail from Stepps Gap to the summit, descending via State Road 128. It passes Mount Mitchell summit (6,684'), Blue Ridge Parkway (5,340'), Mount Mitchell State Park, Old Mitchell Trail and Stepps Gap. weather is so variable that organisers state there will never be a 'course record'.
What should runners know on race day for the Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge Ultramarathon?
Packet pickup Thursday 2PM-5pm at Jus Running in Asheville and Friday 5-8pm in Downtown Black Mountain.
Race character
Scenery
- Countryside
- Mountain
- Waterfront
- Forest
Atmosphere
- Wilderness
- Competitive
Terrain
- Trail
- Elevation character
- Mountainous
- Technicality
- Technical
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- 500
- Field cap
- 250
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Open entry: The held registration model is open entry and this edition is not marked sold out.
- Cut-off
- Both races start at 7am; runners have until 10AM to cover the ~15 miles to the Blue Ridge Parkway turnaround; overall course deadline 5:00 PM.
- Qualification status
- All runners register for the marathon; only the first 250 runners to reach the Blue Ridge Parkway turnaround within the cut Off time may continue to the Mount Mitchell summit for the full 40 Mile Challenge. No prior qualifying time required.
Race day logistics
- Bag drop
- Packet pickup Thursday 2PM-5pm at Jus Running in Asheville and Friday 5-8pm in Downtown Black Mountain.
- Medal
- Awards presentation at 7:30PM in downtown Black Mountain, with overall top finisher and masters awards for both the Challenge and the Marathon.
Access and course status
- Start
- Black Mountain, North Carolina (start/finish area), starting altitude 2,360'
- Finish
- Black Mountain, North Carolina (same start/finish area)
Course facts
- Course type
- Out And Back
- Surface
- Rugged mountain trail; current route follows the Old Mitchell Trail from Stepps Gap to the summit, descending via State Road 128.
- Landmarks
- Mount Mitchell summit (6,684'), Blue Ridge Parkway (5,340'), Mount Mitchell State Park, Old Mitchell Trail, Stepps Gap
- Notable features
- Self-supported mountain race over rugged terrain
- weather is so variable that organisers state there will never be a 'course record'. The 2025 and 2026 editions were cancelled due to Hurricane Helene trail damage
- the next edition is set for 3 April 2027
- Aid stations: 10 on the Challenge and 6 on the Marathon, stocked with water, Gatorade, oranges, bananas, salty and sweet snacks, and some with hot soup
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 11°CTypical temperature
- 17 kphTypical wind
- 3 mmTypical rainfall
- 88Favourability /100