THE BLACK MOUNTAIN MARATHON
and
MOUNT MITCHELL CHALLENGE
February 23, 2008 Black Mountain,
North Carolina
Presented by founding sponsors
Black Mountain Savings Bank Black Dome mountain Sports
The 2008
Races are Dedicated to the Memory of Vickie Begley
BACKGROUND of THE BLACK MOUNTAIN MARATHON
AND MOUNT MITCHELL CHALLENGE...
The Challenge is this: Begin at dawn 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! With a starting altitude of 2,360', the elevation gain
for this 40-mile run will be 4,324' - in the first 20 miles!
Race founders Wendell Begley of Black Mountain Savings
and Trent Thomas from Black Dome
Mountain Sports saw a need for this kind of event
for both the elite athlete and the weekend warrior. Their goal was to
design a race that was attainable physically while offering the opportunity to
test oneself against the often-uncooperative forces of nature!
The Marathon runners start side-by-side with the
Challengers and duplicate their course to the Black Mountain Gap overlook on
the famed Blue Ridge Parkway. Here, at an elevation of 5,340' and with an
extraordinary view of Mount Mitchell as a backdrop, Marathoners will turn and
retrace their course to the Start/Finish area in Black Mountain.
Video
clip of the 2007 race...Check Black Dome for full length copies..
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGERS OR THE DIFFICULTIES INHERENT IN THIS EVENT!
This
will be an extremely demanding course run over rugged mountain terrain under
potentially life-threatening weather conditions. Participants must understand
that their safety is paramount in the minds of the organizers and that while
all reasonable precautions have been taken, it will be the competitor's
ultimate responsibility to insure his or her own safety.
We are proud to say that a portion of proceeds from the 2005 event
will go to the Southern
Appalachian Highlands Conservancy...An organization dedicated to the
preservation of the wild places in which we love to play...Especially the area
containing Mt. Mitchell...Click here
to see what the SAHC is doing to protect the land we are racing in...
THE MOUNTAIN...
Mount Mitchell is, at 6,684’, the
highest peak in eastern America – nearly 400’ higher than New Hampshire’s Mount
Washington. Once known by its indian name of Black Dome, its name was
changed to honor Dr. Elisha Mitchell through whose efforts the controversy over
that lofty distinction was settled. (It is Dr. Mitchell’s stone grave which
marks the turnaround of the Challenge at the mountain’s summit!).
Many visitors (and runners…) find
it hard to identify Mount Mitchell among the other peaks in the thirteen-mile-long
Black Mountain Range… a common problem since six other peaks in the range are
greater than 6,500’! Due to its elevation, the climate and the ecosystems of
Mount Mitchell more closely resemble that of New Hampshire and Maine. This
consequence of its elevation provides perhaps the most profound surprise to
visitors… especially to those who arrive on foot! Because of the
meteorological variability, race organizers have said that there will never be
a "course record" for these events as the influences of weather
conditions outweighs even the demands of the steep terrain.
SAFETY...
Injuries... The
rough terrain of this course coupled with the forces of nature make it quite
likely that a competitor will suffer some sort of injury during this
event...ranging from abrasions, contusions, or sprains as a result of falls...
to hypothermia... to animal encounters, as this is still the natural habitat of
the wildcat and the black bear. Be prepared to cope with whatever Mother
Nature may see fit to send your way. Please note that firearms are not
permitted within North Carolina’s State Parks.
Time Limits... Competitors must complete the Marathon and the Challenge
by 6:00 PM; cut-off times may be enforced from the half-way mark onwards
depending on the weather conditions at that time.
Safety... Emergency
personnel on the course will make the final determination of a competitor’s
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. The Event is self-supported...all gear required to finish
must be carried from start to finish. Aid stations will be available to re-supply
your food and water.
Your ability to prepare for and to properly cope with these and other
challenges will be a major part of the event!
Your safety is our primary concern... Local search and rescue
organizations (as well as the NC National Guard) volunteer their efforts to
ensure the safety of the race course with many of the personnel on station in
tents the night before! This race provides one way for these local agencies to
hone their skills for saving lives throughout the year in this unforgiving terrain.
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.
Citizen Times Article on 2008 Race
Race Photos from Jeremy Begley
Race Photos from Wilderness Photography
All Finishers from 1998 - 2008
Map of Marathon and Lower Challenge
Race director - Jay Curwen (800) 678-2367
Check here for area info and
here for some info on the mountain...including a live
camera!
Copyright © 1999 Thin Air Productions