Iron Mountain Trail Run
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Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain is scheduled for September 4, 2027 in Damascus, Virginia, with the start and finish at the Damascus Town Park gazebo. The event offers multiple trail distances.
- 50 Miler
- 40 Miler
- 30 Miler
- 16 Miler
The race is organized by IMTR and is usually USATF sanctioned, though in some years RRCA has provided insurance instead of USATF sanctioning. The majority of the course follows the Iron Mountain ridgeline through the Jefferson National Forest along former sections of the Appalachian Trail. The 50 mile course has about 8000 feet of total climb. Official time limits are 12 hours for the 50 and 40 mile events, 10 hours for the 30 mile event, and 8 hours for the 16 mile event.
The published course starts at the Town Park gazebo and runs east along the VA Creeper Trail to Straight Branch (mile 5), climbs Iron Mountain via the Beech Grove Trail, then follows the Iron Mountain Trail and various forest service roads with several turnarounds for the shorter distances. A more detailed course itinerary identifies crossings at FS 90 and Route 600 and describes sections such as FSR 84, Old 84, Dickey Gap, Barton Gap, Rowland Creek Falls Trail, and the return to Damascus.
Hurricane Helene caused damage that affects the route. The Creeper Trail through Damascus is closed for repairs, so runners will initially use streets and sidewalks through town before joining the Iron Mountain Trail. The course will be roughly 2 miles shorter this year with an out and back format for much of the route, and further changes are possible. Trail conditions may be worse than in prior years.
Registration opens June 1, 2027. Early registration fees and later increments are published for 2026 as a reference: $35 first week, $70 after the first week, and $100 two weeks before the event; race shirts are an additional $20. Fees include aid during the race and a post race meal. There are no refunds, no entry transfers, and no deferrals. For 2026 the event tested same day registration. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
