Highball to Thurmond Ultra
Thurmond, United States • 17 May 2026
Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay
The Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay is a point to point trail event in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia, finishing in historic Thurmond. The event offers multiple participation choices including 50 Mile and 50K distances, relay teams, ruck and virtual options. The finish area includes a communal toast and access to returning Amtrak service.
The course combines paved road sections, mountain dirt roads, technical singletrack, rocky climbs and scenic overlooks. The 50 Mile option covers roughly 50 miles with about 6,000 feet of elevation gain. The 50K option covers roughly 31 miles with about 3,100 feet of elevation gain.
Race formats and rules vary by option. The 50 Mile has two time limit choices: a 14 hour no awards option and a 12.75 hour awards-eligible option. The 50 Mile Relay is organized into five relay handoff points and accepts teams of two to four runners; each team member must run at least one leg. There is a 50K Ruck category, virtual 50 Mile and 50K options, and a listed pacer option for the 50 Mile.
Logistics are point to point. Aid stations, marked trails, and multiple course surfaces are part of the route through the Gorge and nearby small towns. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.