Black Mountain, NC, United States · Saturday, April 3, 2027

Fixed Distance 50K

Mount Mitchell Challenge

161 days away

58 km Distance

not publishedn/a Climbing

2.9 est Grit · Entry level

Calculated from 58 km alone — the organiser has not published an elevation profile. Read 2.9 as a floor, not a verdict.

35.6179° N, 82.3212° W © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Field size ~72 Mid-sized. Company early, well spread out by halfway.

DUV results for the 2023 edition (40mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, April

Daytime high 19°C

Night low 6°C

Rainfall Showers likely

Daylight 12 h 37 m of light

Regional 2001-2025 average for April — NASA POWER, grid elevation 738 m. Not a forecast.

Results history

Year	Race	Finishers	Men's winner	Women's winner
2023	40mi	72	Aaron Slabach · 04:49:24	Emily Flynn · 06:24:48
2020	40mi	310	Nathan Holland · 03:14:42	Lisa Holding-Eagle · 04:09:21
2019	40mi	112	Luke Paulson · 04:29:00	Amanda Morris · 05:27:48
2018	40mi	158	Elliott Morgan · 04:20:48	Aliza LaPierre · 05:31:29
2017	40mi	137	Nathan Holland · 04:49:22	Jacqueline Merritt · 05:31:23
2015	40mi	129	Daniel Hamilton · 04:54:58	Jacqueline Palmer · 05:41:54
2014	40mi	146	Dane Mitchell · 04:45:54	Aliza LaPierre · 05:35:45
2013	40mi	111	David MacKey · 04:33:14	Francesca Conte · 06:08:14
2012	40mi	135	Scott Williams · 04:58:37	Rory Bosio · 05:55:24
2011	40mi	129	Mark Lundblad · 04:52:33	Jocelyne Darimont · 05:02:40

The field shrank 77% between 2020 (310) and 2023 (72). 7% of the 2023 field were women.

DUV results for the 2023 edition (40mi) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Course notes

gear With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

Gear for this race

Chosen for 58 km of trail.

Trail Running Shoes 58 km of trail — cushioning that is still there in the last quarter.
Race Nutrition 58 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Flask capacity for 58 km, without the bounce.
GPS Watches Battery life first — a 58 km day outlasts most full-GPS modes.

Brooks

Catamount 3

RunRepeat found the Brooks Catamount 3 to have a cozier upper that enhances the overall fit, though breathability and durability could be better. iRunFar noted…

★★★★★ 4.5

Adidas

Terrex Speed Ultra

RunRepeat found the Adidas Terrex Speed Ultra to have a grippy outsole and great lockdown, while iRunFar noted that the shoe works on a variety of trail conditi…

★★★★★ 4.5

Spring Energy