The Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge

April 3, 2027 | 7AM Race Start | Downtown Black Mountain, NC

  • Warmly dressed runner in yellow long-sleeve top and hat running in the snow
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REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 1st, 2026 AT 7AM EST!

Due to Hurricane Helene, the running of the 2025/2026 BMM & MC were cancelled. We’re excited to bring the events back, in a new season, in 2027. 

The Challenge is this: Begin at 7AM in Black Mountain, the quaint front porch of Western North Carolina, and follow trails to the rooftop of Western North Carolina, the 6,684′ summit of Mount Mitchell – eastern America’s highest point – then return to the start/finish area!

The Marathon runners run side-by-side with the Challengers to the Black Mountain Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway (mile 13). Here, at an elevation of 5,340′ and with an extraordinary view of Mount Mitchell as a backdrop, Marathoners will turn back and head to the finish line at Lake Tomahawk. Mount Mitchell Challengers will continue to the summit. The Challenge is 36 miles long and has around 4,500 feet of gain. The Black Mountain Marathon has about 3,000 feet of gain.

​Each race is limited to 250 runners. However, once the cap is reached a waitlist will be started. See you on the mountain!

Register Here Volunteer Sign Up Sponsor Info Results

Important Race Information

  • Race Start Time: 7:00AM (Both Races)
  • Race Start Location: 150 Cherry Street, Downtown Black Mountain
  • Race Finish Location: Lake Tomahawk, Black Mountain
  • Check Point Cut Offs: For the Challengers only – Blue Ridge Parkway (13 Miles) 10:15AM
    • If Challengers do not make it to the Parkway before 10:15AM, they will turn around and be automatically dropped into the marathon event.
  • Finish Line Cut Off: 10 Hours/5PM
  • Crew Access: There is no race crew access on the course.
  • Drop Bags: There are no drop bags.

Early Packet Pick Ups

  • Thursday, April 1st 4-6PM | Mountain Running Company, Tunnel Road, Asheville
  • Friday, April 2nd 5-8PM | Downtown Black Mountain. Location TBD

​Race Day, April 3rd

  • 6AM-7AM | Packet Pick Up & Gear Check
  • 7AM Both | races start at 150 Cherry Street, Black Mountain
  • 10:15AM | Challenge cut off at the Parkway checkpoint
  • 5:00PM | Event finish cut off
  • 7:30PM | Post-race award party – location TBD!

Aid Station Information

  • Marathon: 6 aid stations
  • Challenge: 10 aid stations

Please Note

  • Each aid station will have at a minimum water, electrolytes, salty snacks, and fruit.
  • This is a cupless race. We will not have single use paper or plastic cups at the aid stations. See required gear for more info.
  • Aid station locations can be found on the Course Information page.

Awards & Swag

Top Awards

Awards are as follows for runners in the male, female, and nonbinary categories.

Mount Mitchell Challenge

  • 1st Place $250 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 2nd Place $200 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 3rd Place $150 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 4th Place $100 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 5th Place $50 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place Overall Master (40+) will receive Custom Pottery

Black Mountain Marathon 

  • 1st Place $250 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 2nd Place $200 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • 3rd Place $150 Cash Prize & Custom Pottery
  • Top 1 Overall Masters (40+) will receive Custom Pottery

Included in Race Registration

  • Quarter Zip Technical Long Sleeves Shirt
  • Wooden Finisher Medal
  • Finisher Trucker Hat
  • Professional Chip Timing
  • Stocked Aid Stations
  • Two beer tickets (21+) for the post-race party
  • Donation to the Swannanoa Valley Museum & Black Mountain Swannanoa Chamber of Commerce

Shirt & Medal Artwork

Coming Soon!!!

Rules & Required Gear

Due to the potential for drastic weather changes on the course, we will be requiring runners to have a vessel that can hold at least 20oz, rain shell, and cellphone.  Runners must present this gear at check in on race morning and at aid stations. If runners do not have this gear, they will not be a part of this race and will be disqualified from any race results

  • Listen to the Race Officials and obey the event rules at all times.
  • Runners must have the required gear on them at all times.
  • There is no muling (others carrying your gear, nutrition, water, etc) or dropping gear.
  • No littering. This event requires runners to leave no trace.
  • No dogs on the course.
  • Do not cut switchbacks or cut the course.
  • There are no pacers for either race.
  • This is a cupless race. Runners must provide their own reusable bottles to refill at the aid stations. Aid stations WILL NOT have single use cups for runners.
  • Check in and out of all the aid stations by telling the volunteers your bib #.
  • Inform volunteers at aid stations if you wish to drop from the race..

Emergency personnel on the course will make the final determination of a competitors ability to continue. At checkpoints along the race route these safety personnel trained in wilderness first aid and equipped with radio communications will be ready to take action. We are in debt to the skilled members of the Black Mountain Fire and Rescue, Yancey County EMS, South Toe Volunteer Fire Department, Buncombe County EMS, Black Mountain Police, Montreat Police, USPS – Blue Ridge Parkway, US Forest Service, and Mount Mitchell State Park for all of their support and protection.  

Refund / Waitlist / Transfer / Cancellation Policy

The Black Mountain Marathon & Mount Mitchell Challenge has a no refund policy.

Please note that we do not offer any refunds or discount codes if you cancel your registration for this event, except in the case where the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.

ONLY if there is a waitlist, the following refund policy will be implemented:

  • Aug 1 to Jan 1, 2027 – 75% Refund
  • Jan 2 to Feb 17 – 50% Refund
  • Feb 18 to Race Day – No Refund

Bibs cannot be transferred as we will have a waitlist and the spot will go to the next participant in line.

In the event of a special situation such as military deployment, death in the family, pregnancy, etc. we will offer a full 100% credit towards the 2028 race. Please contact us directly to discuss this option

Race Cancellation / Changed to Virtual

  • In the event of inclement weather, this race will become virtual and race packets will be mailed out to runners to the address they registered with. Make sure your UltraSignUp account is up to date with address information.
  • In the event the race needs to be canceled there will be no refunds.
  • The cancellation announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to cancel the race up until race morning.
  • If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
  • Race cancellation will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://blackmountainmarathon.com) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
  • Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct.