Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker
Old Fort, United States • 21 Mar 2026
Event details
The Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker is scheduled for March 21, 2026 at Camp Grier, Old Fort, North Carolina. The event offers two distances:
- 50 Mile
- 55 Kilometer
Reported elevation gain is approximately 12,000 ft for the 50 mile and 7,500 ft for the 55K. Time limits are 16.5 hours for the 50 mile and 12 hours for the 55K. Registration closes Wed, Mar 18 at 11:59 PM ET.
Course and logistics
Courses include technical singletrack, grassy double track, gravel, and short pavement. The 50 mile course historically included three major climbs and descents and a summit of Mount Mitchell; however, due to damage from Hurricane Helene and a park closure, the course has been rerouted and may not summit Mount Mitchell. The 55K includes two major climbs and does not include the Mount Mitchell climb. Aid stations will be located roughly every 4-7 miles and will be a mix of full and fluid-only stations. Minimum items at aid stations include water, Gatorade, bananas, orange slices, potato chips, pretzels, PB&J, and M&Ms.
Runners must carry required gear at all times: a rain shell, at least 30 oz total water capacity, a whistle, a cell phone, and an emergency blanket. All 50 milers are required to carry a headlamp and to carry it again after the S Toe River aid station. Camp Grier offers multiple lodging types on site. The event has a waitlist and a tiered refund policy with partial refunds available up to 45 days before the event. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.