Holy Cowans Gap

Holy Cowans Gap

Holy Cowans Gap is a 31.9 mile trail ultramarathon held at Cowans Gap State Park on May 24, 2026. The course accumulates about 5,800 feet of ascent and descent and uses Pavilion #4 for the start, finish, and mid-point aid station. Entry opens April 10, 2026 at 9:00 am and is limited to 75 runners. Entrants must have completed at least one prior ultramarathon as required by permitting.

The route primarily follows the Tuscarora Trail with many side trails, including the Standing Stone and Link Trails, to increase elevation gain. There are some rocky sections but much of the trail is non-technical with runnable and scenic stretches. Notable features include the absence of switchbacks on the Cove Mountain ascent and a steep climb on the Bird Knob Trail along the park boundary.

Aid is provided at seven stations distributed along the course. The course will be marked, but participants must carry a turnsheet and map; a GPX file, turn sheet, and map are provided. Two time cutoffs are applied to manage the event timeline: a five hour limit near the halfway point (about 15 miles) and an additional 8.5 hour limit at roughly 23.9 miles. Volunteers support aid stations and course management in remote terrain, and medical care is the responsibility of each runner. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.