Hellbender 100
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Hellbender 100 - May 7, 2027
The Hellbender 100 is a 100 mile trail race held in Old Fort, NC and organized by the RUN828 Foundation. The course travels through the Black Mountains, into the valleys below and to the summit of Mt Mitchell. The total elevation change is listed as approximately 48,000+ feet. The event is a qualifier for Hardrock and for Western States.
Entry rules and logistics include a qualification requirement of either a completed 100k with 10,000 feet of vertical gain, any 100 miler completed between May 1, 2025 and May 1, 2027, or the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50. Qualifying efforts may be non-competitive routes or FKTs if proof is provided. Registration opens Oct 1, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET; a waitlist will be used if registration fills and waitlist invitations are charged only when accepted. When the waitlist is used, the race will alternate evenly between women and men.
Runners have 39 hours to complete the course; cutoffs will be enforced at multiple aid stations and detailed in the Runners Guide. Required gear for runners and pacers is strictly enforced and includes items such as a headlamp and backup light and batteries, flashing rear light for nighttime road sections, seam-sealed waterproof jacket, emergency bivy, insulating layer, warm hat and gloves, whistle, nutrition, hydration carrier (40 oz+), water filter or purification, cell phone or inReach, and a GPS unit provided by the race. Mandatory gear checks will occur before the start and during the race.
Refunds and deferrals: 75% refund is available until January 1, 2027; 50% refund is available until March 15, 2027. In certain unforeseen situations a 100% credit toward a future race is offered; pregnancy, fertility, paternity, maternity, and adoption deferrals are eligible for 100% credit. The event is cupless; registrants receive a reusable cup in their swag bag. Swag includes a t-shirt, finishers buckle, sub 24 hour award, pre race meal, stocked aid stations and finish line food. Volunteers must complete 8 hours of trail or running related volunteer work between May 1, 2026 and May 1, 2027. The organizer directs a portion of proceeds to nonprofits aligned with promoting outdoor activity in western North Carolina. A Trail Mix Fund application process is available to request a waived registration fee for eligible applicants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
