Mystery Mountain Marathon & 12-Miler

Mystery Mountain Marathon and 12 Miler

Mystery Mountain Marathon and 12 Miler are trail races held at Fort Mountain State Park on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The event offers two distances:

• Marathon
• 12 Mile

Both courses run over and around Fort Mountain with approximately 5,500 feet of total elevation gain. Trails include single track, rocky and rooty sections, rugged mountain bike trails, and smoother horse trails. The route passes a low stone wall near the summit that dates to around 500 AD and offers panoramic views of fall foliage.

The early and middle sections use the Gahuti and Big Rock trails; marathon runners continue onto the 301 loop that passes through pine and hardwood stands, old mines, waterfalls and rhododendron before returning to the lake. The races start and finish with a loop around the lake. Bears have been spotted on parts of the course and runners are advised to be bear aware.

Aid station support differs by distance: the 12 Mile has three aid stations plus one fluids only station, and the marathon has six aid stations plus two fluids only stations. Time limits and cutoffs are enforced for safety; the 12 Mile has a 6 hour limit and the marathon has an 8 hour limit with intermediate cutoffs. The race is organized as a 100 percent non profit event and a portion of proceeds supports Fort Mountain State Park. Combined entries are limited to 250 participants. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.