Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay – May 17, 2026
Run, ruck, or relay your way through one of the most unforgettable ultra marathons in the Appalachian Mountains. The Highball to Thurmond Ultra &...
Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay – May 17, 2026
Run, ruck, or relay your way through one of the most unforgettable ultra marathons in the Appalachian Mountains. The Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay is a point-to-point 50 Mile, 50K, and 50 Mile Relay adventure through the heart of New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia—a bucket-list race for trail runners seeking epic scenery, adventure, and a finish line celebration like no other. Taking place Sunday, May 17, 2026, this race blends rugged singletrack, rocky climbs, and small-town energy with the challenge of racing the clock—and the train—to the finish.
The Highball name comes from an early railroad signal meaning “track ahead is clear—proceed at full speed.” That same spirit drives this event, as athletes tackle steep climbs, technical trails, and jaw-dropping overlooks before finishing in historic Thurmond, WV—a ghost town brought to life by the cheers of spectators.
Why you’ll love Highball to Thurmond:
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Epic point-to-point route through New River Gorge National Park
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Choice of distances: 50 Mile Ultra, 50K Ultra, or 50 Mile Relay
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Race the Amtrak train to the finish line, then ride it back
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Finish line celebration with a champagne toast and small-town hospitality
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Wild and wonderful West Virginia scenery—waterfalls, ridgelines, and historic rail bridges
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Trail running community spirit with runners, ruckers, and relay teams sharing the journey
Race Options
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50 Mile Ultra – Starts at 4:45 (early start) or 6:00 AM in Montgomery, WV. About 12 miles of paved road mix with gorgeous mountain dirt roads and rugged trails for ~6,000 feet of elevation gain. Finish in Thurmond in time to board the Amtrak train back—complete with a champagne toast. You have 14 hours to beat the last call whistle at 6:45 PM.
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50K Ultra – Starts at Hawks Nest State Park. A daylight point-to-point with ~3,100 feet of gain, well-marked trails, and plenty of aid stations. Perfect for a first ultra or a fast, scenic run through the Gorge’s most iconic overlooks.
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50 Mile Relay – Teams of 2–4 cover the full course in five legs. Mix and match your strengths—trail crushers, road speedsters, hill climbers—for an unforgettable shared ultra experience.
No matter your distance, you’ll experience wild and wonderful West Virginia, the camaraderie of the trail running community, and a race-day story you’ll tell for years. Secure your spot, train hard, and get ready to raise the ball.