Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker

Event Overview

The Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker is a 50-mile and 55 km trail run based in Old Fort, North Carolina. It starts at Camp Grier. The course travels through trails in the area near Mount Mitchell, which the organizer describes as an extremely scenic tour of "the other Pisgah."

Course Details

The event offers two distances:

• 50-mile route
• 55 km route

The 50-mile course features three major climbs and descents, including ascents over three peaks above 6,000 feet, one of which is Mount Mitchell. According to the source, this makes it the highest 50-mile race east of the Mississippi River. The 55 km route includes two major climbs and descents but does not include the ascent of Mount Mitchell. The courses include a mix of trail types: technical singletrack, grassy doubletrack, gravel, and a small amount of pavement.

Course maps and a detailed participant guide are available. The organizer notes that an alternate course may be used due to trail closures from past weather events; participants should refer to the current year's guide for the exact route.

Race Logistics

The event date is March 21, 2026. There are time limits of 16.5 hours for the 50-mile race and 12 hours for the 55 km race. Aid stations are located approximately every 4-7 miles and provide water, sports drink, and basic foods like bananas, chips, and PB&J sandwiches.

All runners must carry required gear at all times, including a rain shell, a minimum of 30 oz water capacity, a whistle, a cell phone, and an emergency blanket. Runners in the 50-mile race must also carry a headlamp from the start. Live GPS tracking is provided via a device runners must carry.

Packet pickup is available the day before the race and on race morning at Camp Grier. The refund policy allows partial refunds up to 45 days before the event, with no refunds inside that window. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.