Dark Horse Trail Series 26.2
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Event Overview
The Dark Horse Trail Series takes place at the Tryon Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, North Carolina. This event features a recurring loop course through a working horse park situated in the foothills. Participants navigate a terrain consisting of a mixture of wide packed dirt paths, single-track trails, and open meadows.
Course Details
The race is centered around a 6.5-mile loop. Each lap includes approximately 600 feet of elevation gain. Because the course is lap-based, runners return to the start and finish area at the end of every loop. The marathon distance has a total time limit of 6 hours, and participants must begin their final lap before the 5-hour mark.
Available distances include:
- 26.2 Miles
- 13.1 Miles
- 10 km
Logistics and Facilities
A single aid station is located at the start and finish line, which runners pass on every lap. The station provides water, soda, and various snacks such as pickles, cookies, chips, and pretzels. This is a cup-less event, and participants are required to bring their own hydration vessels.
Parking is available on-site near the General Store and the start/finish area. A designated open grass field is provided for runners to store personal belongings between laps. Restrooms are located at the start/finish line and at specific points along the course. Dogs are permitted on the course provided they remain on a leash.
Registration and Awards
All finishers receive a custom medal and a race sticker. Timing is conducted via chips, providing live results for each loop. Awards are presented to the top three male and female finishers overall, as well as the top three finishers in 15 different age categories. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
