Highlands Sky 40 Mile Trail Run

Event

The Highlands Sky 40M is a 40-mile trail ultra-marathon organized by the West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners. The race is held on the Saturday before Father’s Day and is presented as the 21st edition of the event. The race is centered at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

Course and terrain

The course travels primarily through the Monongahela National Forest and includes sections on Timberline Ski Resort and through Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, finishing at Canaan Valley State Park. It traverses the Roaring Plains and Dolly Sods Wilderness Areas, which contain a high plateau and features such as rocky terrain, stunted trees, mountaintop meadows, northern hardwoods, stunted red spruce, and heath barrens. Trail surfaces include woodland paths, sphagnum bogs, and rocky and boulder-filled plains.

Logistics

The West Virginia Mountain Trail Runners list a partnership with the Monongahela National Forest. Registration for the event opens on February 2, 2025. The organizers also note trail work and a training run weekend as part of the event information. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.