Hellbender 100
Old Fort, United States • 8 May 2026
Hellbender 100 : May 8, 2026
The Hellbender 100 is a 100-mile trail event in Old Fort, North Carolina, presented by Run828, a local nonprofit. The race is open to male, female, and non-binary runners, and the organizer will accept each transgender and non-binary runner’s self-declared gender category at registration. Pacers are allowed.
The 2026 course will differ from prior years because of Helene; organizers expect an alternative route that combines sections used in 2025 with parts of the original course. The route goes through the Black Mountains, into valleys, and to the summit of Mt. Mitchell. The course includes about 48,000+ feet of elevation change. Participants must finish within 39 hours; additional cutoffs will be enforced at multiple aid stations and listed in the Runners Guide.
Entry rules require a qualifying effort: a 100k with 10,000 feet of vertical gain or any 100 mile event completed between May 1, 2024 and May 1, 2026, or the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50 mile. Qualifiers need not be formal races and proof may be requested. Registration may occur before a qualifier is completed.
Required gear is mandatory for runners and pacers and will be checked. Mandatory items include a headlamp with backup and batteries, flashing red light for nighttime road sections, weatherproof seam-sealed jacket, emergency bivy, insulating long sleeve base layer, warm hat and gloves, whistle, calories, hydration carrier (40 oz or more), water filtration or purification, cell phone or Garmin inReach, and a race GPS unit. The event is cupless; entrants receive a reusable cup in their swag bag.
If registration fills, entrants join a waitlist and are not charged unless invited. When pulling from the waitlist, organizers will alternate evenly between women and men. Refund and deferral rules specify a 75% refund until January 1, 2026, a 50% refund until March 15, 2026, and specific 100% credit options for certain serious situations and for pregnancy, fertility, paternity, maternity, and adoption deferrals. Volunteer hours and other participant requirements are listed in event materials. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.