Mt Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon
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Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge
The Black Mountain Marathon and Mount Mitchell Challenge take place in Black Mountain, North Carolina on April 3, 2027. The events resume in 2027 after cancellations in 2025 and 2026 due to Hurricane Helene. Both races begin in downtown Black Mountain and finish at Lake Tomahawk.
The Challenge follows trails to the summit of Mount Mitchell, listed at 6,684 feet, and is 36 miles with about 4,500 feet of elevation gain. Marathon runners share the route with Challengers to the Blue Ridge Parkway overlook at mile 13, at about 5,340 feet elevation; marathoners then return to the finish while Challengers continue to the summit. The Black Mountain Marathon has about 3,000 feet of gain. Each race is limited to 250 runners and a waitlist opens once capacity is reached.
Logistics include early packet pickup on Thursday, April 1 at Mountain Running Company in Asheville and Friday, April 2 at the Black Mountain Hampton Inn meeting room; race morning packet pick up and gear check occur in Black Mountain. There is no crew access on the course and no drop bags. Aid stations are stocked; the marathon has six stations and the Challenge has ten. This is a cupless race. Required gear includes a vessel holding at least 20 oz, a rain shell, and a cellphone; runners must present these items at check in and at aid stations or they will be disqualified.
Prize money and pottery awards are listed for top overall and masters finishers in both events. Registration includes a quarter zip technical long sleeve shirt, a wooden finisher medal, a finisher trucker hat, professional chip timing, stocked aid stations, two beer tickets for the post-race party for those 21 and older, and a donation to the Swannanoa Valley Museum and Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce. The event has a no refund policy unless a waitlist exists, in which case a tiered refund schedule applies. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
