Ridge to Rails 50k, Half, & 10k

The 25th Hour

Welcome to the 25th Hour! Once a year, on the last day of Daylight Saving Time, we can "fall back" in love with running at the newest race offering from Relentless Running Events. The 25th Hour Endurance Run is a 25 hour timed event run on a beautiful and challenging 3.6 mile trail loop. The race will begin at 9 am on Saturday and finish at 9 am on Sunday. Runners will see how far they can go, and awards will be presented for runners as they achieve milestone distances. There will also be awards for top mileage finishers. All runners will receive a branded race shirt and some extra special swag items. Hosted at Camp Grier in Old Fort, this race will include gorgeous views of Jarrett Creek, Copper Ridge, and Camp Grier Lake.

Course

The course for The 25th Hour Endurance Run is a combination of single-track trail and gravel, with a grassy loop in the lake area. The grassy area near the lake is where the official aid station and timing tent will be located. Each loop is 3.6 miles in length and has around 400' of elevation gain. The course is challenging but runnable and fair. Best of all, it's scenic and fun.The grassy field in the lake area will be available for tent camping and there will be space along the course for runners to set up personal aid stations to use during the event.

Amenities

AID STATIONS AND SUPPORT: There is a large well-stocked aid station and a water only station each lap. The main aid station is located in tent city next to the starting/finishing line. This is fully stocked with typical ultra food throughout the race and supplemented with real food around mealtimes. We do our best to accommodate dietary preferences, you will find veg options.CAMPING is FREE: If you are interested in camping the field (‘tent city’) will officially be open on Friday, October 30th at 4:00 pm for you to set up and check out the area. Tent Camping only. Sorry, no RV space available. This is a family-friendly event and runners are encouraged to bring partners, children, crew to camp for no extra charge. LODGING is available thru Camp Grier. They can offer you a bunk, room, or entire cabin on property or nearby. This is a great option for family or crew coming along. More info at https://www.campgrier.org/

Rules

The 25th Hour Endurance Run is a time-based event where runners will be ranked by how many complete laps they finish within the generous 25 hours. Partial laps will not be counted. Runners completing the same number of laps will be ranked based on the elapsed time the last lap was completed. Runners may exit the course but must return to the course at the same location they left it. The professionals from MCM Timing are scoring this year and all runners will be running with a chip-enabled bib. No pets are permitted on Camp Grier property. No open fires allowed. We will have a campfire at the start/finish if weather allows. Pacers are permitted after the 10 hr mark has passed (7 pm). Please share the space and do not set up sleeping tents along the edge of the course but rather behind your aid canopies. If you bring it with you, please pack it out; do not leave your trash at the race site. There are no rule police. Behave yourselves and be good stewards for our sport.

Awards

The top 3 male and top 3 female runners at The 25th Hour Endurance Run will receive a unique, hand-crafted award from local carver Sam Moore from Black Mountain, NC. The top m/f masters (40+) and grand masters (60+) will also earn one of these! Milestone awards will be presented to runners as they achieve milestone distances (25, 50, and 75 miles). Other special awards and giveaways to be announced soon. All runners will receive a race sweatshirt at packet pickup.

Refund Policy

There will be no transfer of entry fees or refunds given to any new entrants after July 31, 2026. After that time, the Luis Escobar refund policy will be in place. He says it best:“Finally – please remember that there will be NO refunds – NO transfers – NO exceptions. Do not ask for a refund or a transfer to another date or event – the answer is a polite, no. There will be no refunds even if your cat ate your homework or your dog ate your cat or your grandmother ran over your dog or your grandfather ran over your grandmother or you can’t find a babysitter or your girlfriend is cheating on you or you are cheating on your girlfriend or you get shot in the head during an unfortunate piñata incident, of if you become injured or if you don’t have time to train or if you contract poison oak, syphilis, herpes simplex, chapped lips, the heart break of psoriasis or any other communicable decease or you get bit by a lizard, you have a hangover or you got shot in the neck with a poison dart or your trailer gets destroyed by a tornado or you get deported or your daughter gets married, or any other reason – your registration will not, under any circumstances, no way, no how, ain’t gonna happen, be refunded. Comprende? Don’t like that idea? Don’t register.”

Event's current local time: 4:58 AM ET

Black Mountain Turkey Trot: A Mountain Thanksgiving Tradition

Get ready for an unforgettable Thanksgiving morning at the 2nd annual Black Mountain Turkey Trot! Imagine crisp mountain air filling your lungs as golden autumn leaves crunch beneath your feet. Transform your Thanksgiving morning with a tradition of community, health, and gratitude.

This North Carolina Turkey Trot is only 20 minutes from Downtown Asheville, located in the the beautiful town of Black Mountain, North Carolina, a small, artistic town in Buncombe County known for its scenic mountain setting, creative energy, and historic downtown - also named one of "America's Prettiest Small Towns" by TripAdvisor!

Two Perfect Ways to Join Us

The Black Mountain 5K Turkey Trot - Challenge yourself on our professionally designed 5K course winding through Black Mountain's charming historic downtown and picturesque neighborhoods. Every step takes you past stunning mountain vistas and welcoming storefronts decked in holiday charm. With chip timing for accurate results, competitive runners can push for a personal best while casual participants enjoy the festive atmosphere at their own pace.

The Wishbone Fun Run - Our family-friendly 1-mile route creates the perfect opportunity for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities. Bring the grandparents, the little ones, and everyone in between! Strollers and furry friends on leashes are welcome to join the fun. Create precious holiday memories as three generations move together in celebration.

Support The Community

Your participation directly impacts our neighbors in need. A portion of all registration fees supports Bounty & Soul, a vital organization addressing food insecurity and promoting wellness throughout Black Mountain and Swannanoa. Working at the intersection of food, farms and health.

Produced and owned by Kick It Event Management, a local WNC small business.

Race Description Registration opens August 1, 2026! Due to Hurricane Helene, the running of the 2025/2026 BMM & MC were cancelled. We’re excited to bring the events back, in a new season, in 2027. The Challenge is this: Begin at 7AM 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! The Marathon runners start side-by-side with the Challengers to the Black Mountain Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile 13). Here, at an elevation of 5,340' and with an extraordinary view of Mount Mitchell as a backdrop, Marathoners will turn back and head to the finish line at Lake Tomahawk. Mount Mitchell Challengers will continue to the summit. The Challenge is 36 miles long and has around 4,500 feet of gain. The Black Mountain Marathon has about 3,000 feet of gain. We work closely with multiple local, state and

federal agencies to ensure your safety and provide the best race experience possible. Race Directors will alert runners as soon as possible if we are denied access to the Blue Ridge Parkway on race morning due to inclement weather and the Mount Mitchell Challenge is cancelled.Included in Race Registration: - Quarter Zip Technical Long Sleeve- Wooden Finisher Medal- Finisher Trucker Hat - Professional Chip Timing- Stocked Aid Stations-Two beer tickets (21+) for the post-race party- Donation to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce Important Information Race Start Time: 7:00AM (Both Races)Race Start Location: 150 Cherry Street, Downtown Black MountainRace Finish Location: Lake Tomahawk, Black MountainCheck Point Cut Offs: For the Challengers only - Blue Ridge Parkway (13 Miles) 10:15AMFinish Line Cut Off: 10 Hours/5PM Crew Access: There is no race crew access on the course.Drop Bags: There are no drop bags. Required Gear:Due to the potential for drastic

weather changes on the course, we will be requiring runners to have a vessel that can hold at least 20oz, rain shell, and cellphone. Runners must present this gear at check in on race morning and at aid stations. If runners do not have this gear, they will not be a part of this race and will be disqualified from any race results.Post Race Award Party - INFORMATION COMING!Race ScheduleThursday, April 1 4-6PM | Early Packet Pick Up | Mountain Running Company, Tunnel Road, AshevilleFriday, April 2 5-8PM | Early Packet Pick Up | Downtown Black Mountain. Location TBDSaturday, April 3 Race Morning6AM-7AM Packet Pick Up & Gear Check 7AM Both races start at 150 Cherry Street, Black Mountain 7:30PM Post-race award party - location TBD! Awards Top Awards for the Challenge: Including the male, female & nonbinary category. 1st Place $250 & Custom Pottery Award2nd Place $200 & Custom Pottery Award3rd Place $150 & Custom Pottery Award4th Place $100 & Custom Pottery Award5th Place $50 & Custom Pottery

Award1st , 2nd, 3rd Place Masters (40+) of the male, female & nonbinary categories will receive a custom pottery award. Top Awards for the Marathon: Including the male, female & nonbinary category. 1st Place $250 & Custom Pottery Award2nd Place $200 & Custom Pottery Award3rd Place $150 & Custom Pottery Award1st Place Masters (40+) of the male, female & nonbinary categories will receive a custom pottery award. Race Rules Listen to the Race Officials and obey the event rules at all times. Runners must have the required gear on them at all times. There is no muling or dropping gear.No littering. This event requires runners to leave no trace.Do not cut switchbacks or cut the course. There are no pacers for either race. This is a cupless race. Runners must provide their own reusable bottles to refill at the aid stations. Aid stations WILL NOT have single use cups for runners. Check in and out of all the aid stations by telling the volunteers your bib #. Inform volunteers at aid stations if you

wish to drop from the race. Race History 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! Refund & Deferral Policy The Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge has a no refund policy. Please note that we do not offer any refunds or discount codes if you cancel your registration for this event,

except in the case where the event is sold out and there is a waiting list. ONLY if there is a waitlist, the following refund policy will be implemented.Aug 1 to Jan 1, 2027 - 75% RefundJan 2 to Feb 17 - 50% RefundFeb 18 to Race Day - No Refund Bibs cannot be transferred as we will have a waitlist and the spot will go to the next participant in line. In the event of a special situation such as military deployment, death in the family, pregnancy, etc. we will offer a full 100% credit towards the 2028 race. Please contact us directly to discuss this option. Event's current local time: 4:59 AM ET