Tsali Ultra
Graham County, United States • 17 Jan 2026
Event overview
The Tsali Ultra takes place on January 17, 2026, at the Tsali Recreation Area in the Nantahala National Forest, near Bryson City and Almond, North Carolina. The event offers the following distances:
- 50K
- 30K
- 8K
The event is classified as a Mountain, Ultra, Trail (MUT) race. Good Endurance Running is listed as host for the NC USATF 50 km Trail Championships, held in conjunction with the Tsali 50K.
Course and logistics
The course uses the Tsali Trail system, which runs alongside Fontana Lake and provides views of the Great Smoky Mountains. The recreation area includes singletrack and former logging roads; the trail complex also contains four major loops that total about 40 miles of trail. Organizers note rolling trails, aid station support, and defined cut-off policies.
Runners have fixed time limits to complete each distance: the 8K allows 7 hours, the 30K allows 8 hours, and the 50K allows 9.5 hours. Cut-off times are strictly enforced for runner and volunteer safety. None of the aid stations can be reached by runner personal support crews.
Championships and awards
The NC USATF 50K Trail Championship will include prize money for Open and Masters divisions. Eligibility requires 2026 USATF membership and at least 12 consecutive months of North Carolina residency. Prize amounts for each division are: 1st $200, 2nd $150, 3rd $100. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.