Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker

Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker

The Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker is a trail running event based at Camp Grier in Old Fort, North Carolina. The event offers the following distances:

• 50 M
• 55 K

The original route traverses terrain in the Grandfather District and was planned to include three 6,000 ft plus peaks, including Mount Mitchell. Due to damage from Hurricane Helene and a continuing park closure, the course may be altered for some years and the 2025 route does not summit Mount Mitchell. Course changes and alternate routes use existing singletrack and roads in the area.

Both courses mix technical singletrack, grassy double track, gravel, and short sections of pavement. Named features on the route include Snooks Nose, Green Knob, Black Mountain Crest, and Heartbreak Ridge. The 50 M contains multiple major climbs and descents; the 55 K omits the Mount Mitchell climb but includes the first and last major climbs present on the 50 M.

Aid stations are placed about every 4 to 7 miles with a combination of full and fluid only stations. Minimum aid offerings include water, Gatorade, bananas, orange slices, potato chips, pretzels, PB&J, and M&Ms. Published course figures list approximate elevation gain of ~12,000 ft for the 50 M and ~7,500 ft for the 55 K, with published time limits for each distance.

Participants must carry required gear including a rain shell, at least 30 oz of water capacity, whistle, cell phone, and emergency blanket. All 50 M runners must carry a headlamp at specific points. Camp Grier lodging options include private cabins, bunkhouses, rustic cabins, and tent camping and can be reserved through the event registration system. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.