Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker
Old Fort, United States • 21 Mar 2026
Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker : Event details
The race takes place in Old Fort, North Carolina, with the event base at Camp Grier (985 Camp Grier Rd). Distances offered:
- 50 Mile
- 55 Kilometer
Elevation gain is listed as 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 opened on September 26, 2025.
Course and logistics
Courses use a mix of technical singletrack, grassy double track, gravel and a short section of pavement. The 50 mile route includes three major climbs and descents that pass Snooks Nose, Green Knob, Crest Trail and other ridges; the 55K includes two major climbs and does not include the climb up Mount Mitchell. Alternate courses have been prepared because damage from Hurricane Helene has closed portions of trails and the park; the 2025 reroute did not summit Mount Mitchell while the park remained closed.
Aid stations will be located about every 4-7 miles. At minimum they will provide water and Gatorade; minimum food items include bananas, orange slices, potato chips, pretzels, PB&J, and M&Ms. Mandatory gear includes a rain shell, at least 30 oz total water capacity, a whistle, cell phone, and an emergency blanket. All 50 mile runners must carry a headlamp at the start and when leaving the S Toe River aid station. Camp Grier offers private cabins, bunkhouses, rustic cabins and tent camping. The refund policy specifies partial refunds if cancelled more than 45 days before the event, with no refunds within 45 days; if the race is canceled it may be rescheduled or run virtually. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.