THIS EVENT IS POSTPONED INDEFINITELY. Western North Carolina was hit with a catastrophic weather event and is currently assessing the damage to the communities, roads, trail systems, and buildings. We will be postponing this event and regrouping on when it will be possible to hold in the future.
The Kick It Events team has evacuated our homes that are without power/water. We are prioritizing the safety of our families and ask for patience with communication at this time.
Race Guidelines
The goal of the timed races is to complete as many loops as possible in your chosen timed race. Loops will only be counted to your total if they were completed before the end of your race time. The 12 Hour Race will end at 7PM, the 6 Hour Race will end at 2PM, and the 3 Hour Race will end at 12PM. For example, if you are running the 6 hour, you MUST finish all your loops within the 6 hours. Any laps finished outside of your time limit will not be counted.
Crews with 10×10 canopies are welcome at the Gateway Trails Parking lot. All canopies or tents must be weighed down with 10lb weights at each leg or with stakes. There is additional parking locked further up Curtis Creek, a short walk to the race base. There are two bathrooms at the trailhead.
The trail system is not closed. Please be courteous of other people using the trails. Camps must clean up after themselves and remove any trash from their site. Dogs & Strollers are not allowed on this course. Well behaved dogs are welcome at the Gateway Trailhead.
This event will be held rain or shine. If there is lightning, we will delay any race start for at least 30 minutes. If there is lightning during the race, we ask runners/spectators to take shelter.
Packet Pick Up
Early Packet Pick Up
4-6PM Friday 10/4 at Mountain Running Company at 4 S Tunnel Road, Asheville
*** Make sure you pick up any last minute supplies & fuel from them!
Race Day Saturday 10/5 Packet Pick Up 6AM-9AM at the Gateway Trailhead Parking Lot at the Race Site
Site Map & Course Info
Site Address: 1501 State Road 1227, Old Fort NC.
The race start/finish line will be on the grass portion of the Gateway Trailhead parking lot. There are two runner parking lots. See the map below!
PARKING MAP BELOW!
The first left (green arrow) will show the overflow parking lot (green cars) if need be. This is the only parking lot that overnight tent camping is allowed. If you are arriving on Friday night and wish to camp, this is the field where you will be permitted to camp.
The second left (blue arrow) will lead to the Gateway Trailhead parking lot. This parking lot has around 75 parking spaces, all first come first serve. There will be parking volunteers in hi-vis vests helping runners park. There are 2 bathrooms in this parking lot.
Runner/Crew Stations (timed events only)
Set up for runners can start at 3PM on Friday 10/4 in the designated grass lot in the Gateway Trailhead parking lot. This will be marked off by Kick It Events staff. Please do not arrive earlier than that to set up. If runners set up their stations on the event site where other tents are designated, they will be asked to move. If you put up a 10×10 tent, you MUST have 10lb weights for that tent.
Aid Station
There are NO aid stations on the course. Please be prepared to carry all of your nutrition and fuel for 3.1 miles of trail. There are 2 bathrooms in the Gateway Trailhead parking lot.
There will be 2 red tents next to the START/FINISH area that will have aid for runners.
- Water! Cups will be available but please reduce as much trash as possible.
- Other hydration: Tailwind Dauwaltermeon (non-caffeinated) & Tailwind Raspberry (caffeinated)
- JamBars: organic, gluten free/vegan options available
- Bananas
- Other snack food available!
Headlamp Requirement
Sunrise is approximately 7:30AM on Saturday 10/5. For that reason, a headlamp or light source is required for the 12 Hour & 6 Hour races. It’s a somewhat technical trail course, you’ll need it! Blinky lights will be set out on the trail for extra guidance.
Headlamp must be worn after 6PM or when it gets dark. Runners will not be allowed to start any loops after 6PM without a headlamp.
Course Marking Information
The course will be well marked with survey tape and directional arrows. The directional arrows are black with a white background. The course is linked below. There will be blinky lights for the early morning/evening times.
The course is 3.1 miles with approximately 380 ft of elevation gain on trail with approximately .2 miles of gravel. The course is NOT closed to the public so please be aware that there may be others/mountain bikers/pets on the course and be courteous when passing.
Refund Policy for Chasing Trail Ultras
At Chasing Trail Ultras, we appreciate your understanding of our refund and transfer policy. As we work diligently year-round to prepare for this event, including the ordering of items like medals and shirts months in advance, we want to ensure a smooth experience for all participants.
Chasing Trail Ultras and Kick It Event Management has a NO REFUND policy
- There are no refunds for event cancelation due to severe weather, weather emergency, hurricane warning, winter storm warning or flooding as decided upon by the race directors. These decisions are made for the safety of our participants, volunteers and the need for our first responders to be used to help with the weather emergency. Registering for this event is your agreement that there are no refunds for weather emergency cancelations.
- There are no refunds if you’ve registered for this event “by mistake”. Please read through the location and date of the event before registering.
- There are no refunds due to injury or illness.
ALL Race Awards
Top Male & Female
1st Place Custom Award & $50 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company
2nd Place Custom Award & $35 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company
3rd Place Custom Award & $20 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company
Race Day Schedule
6:00-9:00AM Packet Pick UP at Gateway Trailhead
7:00AM 12 Hour Race Start *headlamp required
8:00AM 6 Hour Race Start *headlamp required
9:00AM 3 Hour Race Start
9:30AM 5k Race Start
10:30AM 5k Tentative Awards
12PM 3 Hour Race End
12:30PM 3 Hour Tentative Awards
2PM 6 Hour Race End
2:30PM 6 Hour Tentative Awards
7:00PM 12 Hour Race End
7:30PM 12 Hour Tentative Awards
A portion of race proceeds will be donated to the McDowell Trails Association!
Their mission is to extend and maintain greenways and trails to promote a healthy lifestyle and recreational opportunities for residents and visitors in McDowell County.
Click here to add your own text
