Slam the Dam 10K Run

The Old Fort Fifty will be held on the rugged, legendary trails that have made the area famous in the mountain bike world while also incorporating some newer trails recently built by the G5 Trail Collective. While the 30.9 mile distance is on the shorter side for an endurance race, don't fool yourself into thinking this is going to be a walk in the park. You will be served up a heaping helping of elevation gain, climbing 4874 feet and descending an equal amount over fast and technical chunky terrain as well as some super omega flow. There will be two rest areas along the way (Mile 13 and 23.5) stocked with plenty of water and snacks.

The Old Fort Fifty will be open to cyclists AND runners!

Starting and finishing at Camp Grier, racers will first head over to the Gateway Trail System, an incredibly well-built network of modern, flow-heavy trails. From there, you’ll head up and over to the raw goodness of Star Gap and its infamous Heckle Rock. Finally, you’ll have a couple “gotta get up to get down” climbs before being rewarded with descents down both Bernard Mountain and the ear-to-ear grin-inducing Kitsuma Trail.

There will be plenty of affordable indoor lodging and camping options at Camp Grier the night before and also after the event with plenty of room for the family to make a weekend out of it. You can stay Friday night and wake up close to the start line, and if you decide to hang out Saturday night, you can race or spectate the Pisgah Enduro on Sunday! During your stay, you’ll have access to the lake, showers, a post-race cookout, and refreshments provided!

Both the Old Fort Fifty and the Pisgah Enduro will be part of the King of Pisgah Series.

COURSE:

[Old Fort Fifty MAP and CUE REST AREAS.png] [Old Fort Fifty PROFILE.png]

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday – 2:00pm – Camping/Bunkhouses Open.

Friday – 5:00pm-10:00pm – Sign-In Open.

Friday night – Have fun at Camp!

Saturday – 5:30am-7:30am – Sign-In Open.

Saturday – 7:45am – Pre-Race meeting.

Saturday – 8:00am – Race Start.

Saturday – 8:00pm – Race Cutoff.

Saturday night – Have fun at Camp!

Sunday - Have fun at Camp!

Monday - 12:00pm - Camping/Bunkhouses Closed.

RULES:

1. Have Fun!

2. Cyclists must wear an approved cycling helmet at all times while on the bike.

3. Racers may receive support from other participating racers while on course.

4. Racers may NOT receive outside support while on course.

5. Racers must stay in single-file except to pass.

6. Racers must obey all local traffic laws.

7. Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are prohibited.

8. Racers must use a front light (250 lumen minimum) after 7:00PM.

9. The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any racer for any reason.

10. SIGN-IN upon completion of the event (Please, this includes DNF racers).

VENUE:

Camp Grier, 985 Camp Grier Rd, Old Fort, NC 28762https://www.campgrier.org

OTHER:

REQUIRED GEAR:

Every racer will be required to carry the following at all times while participating in the event:

1. Mobile phone.

2. Rain jacket.

DOWNLOADS:

Old Fort Fifty MAP and CUE

NEW! REVISED AUG 2025 - Old Fort Fifty GPX

NEW! REVISED AUG 2025 - RIDEWITHGPS.COM LINK:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52118116

LIVE RESULTS:

We will be using ITSYOURRACE.COM for live results. Download the IYR App or visit:

https://2025OldFort50.itsyourrace.com/ for live results.

COURSE MARKING:

Flagging.jpg

LODGING:

-Tent / Car Camping passes are available for $20 per car, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one car and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

-Bunkhouse passes are available for $20 per person per night and include a roof over your head, a bunkbed, and access to community kitchen, power outlets, bathrooms, and showers. Bring your own pillow and blankets. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

-Small RV Camping passes are available for $30 per vehicle, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one vehicle and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

---Class B and Class C vans/ Travel trailers (max 27' total length) are welcome.

---Class A motor homes and 5th wheel trailers are prohibited.

---RV hookups are NOT available.

---Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times. No dogs in buildings.

If your RV is not permitted or if you require a hookup we recommend reserving a spot nearby at the Asheville East KOA in Black Mountain, NC.

High-speed East Coast technical rocky rooty singletrack ENDURO racing in Pisgah National Forest, around Old Fort, along the steep escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With dizzying vertical descents to quad-crushing climbs, you will ride a roller coaster that puts this region on the map for the downhill minded. The venue is an actual Summer Camp. There’s a lake, pump track, post-race cookout, and more! Choose bunkhouse or car/tent camping and spend the weekend racing and enjoying life!

The course starts in the shadow of the highest peak East of the Mississippi, Mount Mitchell, on the legendary Heartbreak Ridge trail. Stage one and two drop over 3000' elevation in a combined 4.5 miles. Stage three follows with the most amazing trail that parallels Interstate 40… Kitsuma, and descends another 1300' in 2.5 miles to the finish. Start/Finish and lodging at Camp Grier in Old Fort, NC (where the after-race party will be waiting for you).

The Pisgah Enduro will be a SUNDAY (one-day only) event. If you would like a full-weekend of racing and camping at Camp Grier join us for the Old Fort 50 being held on Saturday!

If you are craving more challenges, be sure to register for the entire King and Queen of Pisgah series!

COURSE:

[2022-Pisgah-Enduro-Day-2-MAP-1-492x600.jpg]

1. Upper Heartbreak Ridge

2. Lower Heartbreak Ridge

3. Kitsuma

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Friday – 2:00pm – Camping / Bunkhouses Open.

Friday – Have fun at Camp!

Saturday – 5:00pm-10:00pm – Sign-In Open.

Saturday – Have fun at Camp!

Sunday – 12:00pm – All racers must be at the top of Heartbreak Ridge for racer meeting and race start.

Sunday – 5:00pm – Awards.

Sunday night – Have fun at Camp!

Monday – 12:00pm – Camping / Bunkhouses Closed.

RULES:

1. Have Fun!

2. Racers must wear their helmets at all times while riding in the event. This includes during transition stages.

3. Racers must complete every stage.

4. The racer with the lowest sum of timed stage times wins. Transition stage times will not be considered.

5. In the event of a tie: The racer with the fastest time on the final stage of the day will be considered in the lead.

6. Racers must stay on-course for the duration of the event. DO NOT CUT CORNERS / SWITCHBACKS.

*Racers must ride to the start of Stage 1 on the designated course.

*Shuttles will not be provided.

*Private shuttles are prohibited.

7. Electric-Assist bikes (E-Bikes) are prohibited.

8. The Race Director reserves the right to disqualify any racer or team for any reason.

9. SIGN-IN and RETURN YOUR TIMING CHIP upon completion of the event (Please, this includes DNF teams).

VENUE:

985 Camp Grier Road, Old Fort, NC http://www.campgrier.org/

DIRECTIONS:

N35.64484° W82.19317°

From Asheville, NC.

• Take I40 East to exit 72 for US-70 toward Old Fort/Mountain Gateway Museum

• Take Old US-70 to Camp Grier Rd

• Continue onto US-70 E/W Main St

• Turn left onto Old US-70

• Turn right onto Camp Grier Rd.

From Hickory, NC.

• Take I40 West to Exit 73

• Turn right onto Catawba Ave (signs for Old Fort)

• Turn left onto W Main St

• Turn right onto Old US-70

• Turn right onto Camp Grier Rd

• Destination will be on the left

Camp Grier

985 Camp Grier Rd.

Old Fort, NC 28762

OTHER:

DOWNLOADS:

PISGAH ENDURO - MAP

PISGAH ENDURO - ELEVATION PROFILE

PISGAH ENDURO - GPX

RIDEWITHGPS.COM link:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49422683

COURSE MARKING:

Flagging.jpg

LODGING:

-Tent / Car Camping passes are available for $20 per car, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one car and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

-Bunkhouse passes are available for $20 per person per night and include a roof over your head, a bunkbed, and access to community kitchen, power outlets, bathrooms, and showers. Bring your own pillow and blankets. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

-Small RV Camping passes are available for $30 per vehicle, per night, up to four people, and include: A grassy patch with room to park one vehicle and to pitch a few tents plus access to drinking water, toilets, and showers. Multiple nights are available. Please reserve your spot during registration.

---Class B and Class C vans/ Travel trailers (max 27' total length) are welcome.

---Class A motor homes and 5th wheel trailers are prohibited.

---RV hookups are NOT available.

---Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times. No dogs in buildings.

If your RV is not permitted or if you require a hookup we recommend reserving a spot nearby at the Asheville East KOA in Black Mountain, NC.

FAQ's

1. Am I registered?

– Please check your inbox and spam folder for a confirmation email from BikeReg.com. If you did not receive a confirmation email please contact the race director at [email protected].

2. Are we using timing chips?

– YES! We will be using a fly-by chip timing system. This means the timing system will record your time automatically as you cross the start and finish lines of each stage.

3. Will there be drinking water on course?

– YES! There will be an aid station between stages two and three. The aid station will have water, first aid, and snacks.

4. How does the start work?

– All racers will pedal from Camp Grier to the top of Heartbreak Ridge trail using Heartbreak Ridge trail. This includes five miles of pavement followed by a five mile, 3000' elevation gain, single track climb to the start of stage one. Be prepared for a BIG climb to start. NO SHUTTLES.

– All racers must be at the start of stage one prior to 12:00pm. It is your responsibility to understand the distance to the start of stage one and to be there on time. A race official will clear the course at 12:00pm. If a racer does not make it to the top by 12:00pm the race official will instruct them to turn around. If you do not make it to the top by 12:00pm you will not race.

5. How long will I have to wait before I start stage one?

– Minimum of 90 minutes and up to two hours. Be prepared. Bring water. Bring snacks. Bring sunscreen and bug repellant. The top waiting area is a grassy field in the forest.

6. Can I use a private shuttle?

– NO.

OTHER:

This event is under special use permit with the U.S. Forest Service.

REFUND POLICY:

Sorry, No refunds.

IT'S BACK!

The Race to the Rock 5K is back! As most of you know, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure were devastated by Hurricane Helene in 2024.

While the area is slowly recovering, the Lake Lure Olympiad Committee is pleased to be able to bring back both the Race to the Rock 5K as well as the Slam the Dam 10K, as part of their "Race for Recovery" weekend. Unfortunately, the Lake Lure Triathlon will have to wait another year as the lake is still not up to proper standards for safe swimming.

If you're a veteran of the Race to the Rock 5K - welcome back! If you haven't done this race before, treat yourself to a challenging 5K course topped off by a spectacular finish at the top of Chimney Rock State Park with a stunning 75 Mile panoramic view of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.

All spectators and participants will need to exit the mountain after the race and awards.

Participants will be allowed, at no charge, back up on the mountain after the park reopens.

All trails will remain CLOSED until the park reopens.