October 15, 2022: 8:00 am
Pisgah National Forest
The Course
30.75 miles
6,250' climbing, 6,250' descending
90% trail, 10% gravel forest service road
Elevation Min/Max: 2,159' / 4,201'
Highlights: fall leaf color, six opportunities to sneak a glimpse of Looking Glass - an iconic granite dome, singletrack that'll wow you, stupendous ridge running, and a variety of ecosystems.
The Course Rundown:
Starting at the bottom of the Black Mountain Trail, you'll want to be sure you're warmed up for a long steep climb up right out of the gate to the course high point of Black Mountain at 4,200'. After topping out here and letting out a woot, you'll hit some rocky and rooty ridge running that leads you to the route's namesake Clawhammer Mountain. One of the best vantage points for views is along this rocky section. More ridge running and a brief steep descent drops you at the first aid station. After this, you'll climb again up where along the way you're rewarded with your second amazing viewpoint of Looking Glass Rock.
You'll be relieved to head down Barnett Branch trail through rhododendron tunnels and along a rushing creek. Once you hit the pink beds - an area named for the loads of pink rhododendron flowers in the summer - you'll be greeted with a reprieve for your quads with some flatter miles. You'll traverse wetlands over boardwalks and cross a few creeks. Unless it's been especially rainy, you should be able to keep your feet dry utilizing bridges at the creek crossings.
The easier miles continue as you'll complete a gravel road section of the course along Yellow Gap Road. This leads you to your second aid station. You'll continue downhill on Wolf Ford Road that leads to the South Mills River trail where you'll hear and see the bold, rushing river to to your right. More undulating trail leads to a low grade climb up Buckhorn Gap trail leading you to the third aid station (same spot as the first).
You'll head out on an old road that has turned to mostly double or singletrack. It drops steadily then climbs significantly to meet up with Avery Creek trail. Regain your composure for the next big climb. You'll head uphill (or up mountain, rather) along some stellar singletrack to Club Gap - a famous intersection of four classic Pisgah trails. Heading again uphill to your left, you'll climb up Buckwheat Knob to reach over 4,000' elevation once again.
Get your descending legs primed for a bomb down some super fun singletrack complete with large trees, rhododendrons, amazing viewpoints. You'll reach aid station four as you hit Avery Creek Road.
Next you're treated to another classic Pisgah must-do trail - Bennett Gap. Here you'll see one of my favorite vantage points of Looking Glass Rock - not once, but twice! Be sure to soak it in. This fine trail runs on the spine of the ridge and drops suddenly back to the bottom of Avery Creek Road. Here you'll have a fluids stop - not many miles left, but they're serious so be sure to fill up!
Climbing resumes with the steepest climb on the course. The Pressley Cove trail weaves you up an impressive drainage where you climb almost 1000' in about a mile. From here, you turn right uphill onto Maxwell Cove Road for a brief spell then back right onto Black Mountain trail to cruise back to the finish.
Done with your feat of endurance, you'll be treated to a great meal, cheering fans, admiration, and camaraderie with your trail running peers.
6,250' climbing, 6,250' descending
90% trail, 10% gravel forest service road
Elevation Min/Max: 2,159' / 4,201'
Highlights: fall leaf color, six opportunities to sneak a glimpse of Looking Glass - an iconic granite dome, singletrack that'll wow you, stupendous ridge running, and a variety of ecosystems.
The Course Rundown:
Starting at the bottom of the Black Mountain Trail, you'll want to be sure you're warmed up for a long steep climb up right out of the gate to the course high point of Black Mountain at 4,200'. After topping out here and letting out a woot, you'll hit some rocky and rooty ridge running that leads you to the route's namesake Clawhammer Mountain. One of the best vantage points for views is along this rocky section. More ridge running and a brief steep descent drops you at the first aid station. After this, you'll climb again up where along the way you're rewarded with your second amazing viewpoint of Looking Glass Rock.
You'll be relieved to head down Barnett Branch trail through rhododendron tunnels and along a rushing creek. Once you hit the pink beds - an area named for the loads of pink rhododendron flowers in the summer - you'll be greeted with a reprieve for your quads with some flatter miles. You'll traverse wetlands over boardwalks and cross a few creeks. Unless it's been especially rainy, you should be able to keep your feet dry utilizing bridges at the creek crossings.
The easier miles continue as you'll complete a gravel road section of the course along Yellow Gap Road. This leads you to your second aid station. You'll continue downhill on Wolf Ford Road that leads to the South Mills River trail where you'll hear and see the bold, rushing river to to your right. More undulating trail leads to a low grade climb up Buckhorn Gap trail leading you to the third aid station (same spot as the first).
You'll head out on an old road that has turned to mostly double or singletrack. It drops steadily then climbs significantly to meet up with Avery Creek trail. Regain your composure for the next big climb. You'll head uphill (or up mountain, rather) along some stellar singletrack to Club Gap - a famous intersection of four classic Pisgah trails. Heading again uphill to your left, you'll climb up Buckwheat Knob to reach over 4,000' elevation once again.
Get your descending legs primed for a bomb down some super fun singletrack complete with large trees, rhododendrons, amazing viewpoints. You'll reach aid station four as you hit Avery Creek Road.
Next you're treated to another classic Pisgah must-do trail - Bennett Gap. Here you'll see one of my favorite vantage points of Looking Glass Rock - not once, but twice! Be sure to soak it in. This fine trail runs on the spine of the ridge and drops suddenly back to the bottom of Avery Creek Road. Here you'll have a fluids stop - not many miles left, but they're serious so be sure to fill up!
Climbing resumes with the steepest climb on the course. The Pressley Cove trail weaves you up an impressive drainage where you climb almost 1000' in about a mile. From here, you turn right uphill onto Maxwell Cove Road for a brief spell then back right onto Black Mountain trail to cruise back to the finish.
Done with your feat of endurance, you'll be treated to a great meal, cheering fans, admiration, and camaraderie with your trail running peers.
What's Included
- Fully marked course
- Timing, results
- Fully supported aid stations
- Medical support and communications
- Custom finisher award
- Post race meal featuring local, organic produce
- Tons of fun!
Registration
No day of race registration!
Date |
Pricing |
7/10/22 - 9/19/22 |
$100 |
9/20/22-10/09/22 |
$110 |
10/10/22 - 10/13/22 |
$120 |
Start/Finish Location
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The start and finish location will be well marked about 1 mile from the intersection of US 64 and Hwy 276/280. Go north on Highway 276 through the entrance of Pisgah and the venue is on the right.
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Schedule
10/14/22, Friday -
3 pm - 6 pm: bib pick up at the Start/Finish location (see map above)
10/15/22, Saturday -
6:30 am-7:30 am: bib pick up / mandatory racer check in
7:45 am: mandatory pre-race meeting
8:00 am: race start
6:00 pm: race cutoff
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: post race gathering at Oskar Blues Brewery!! Come hang out with other runners and volunteers and swap stories about the day.
3 pm - 6 pm: bib pick up at the Start/Finish location (see map above)
10/15/22, Saturday -
6:30 am-7:30 am: bib pick up / mandatory racer check in
7:45 am: mandatory pre-race meeting
8:00 am: race start
6:00 pm: race cutoff
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm: post race gathering at Oskar Blues Brewery!! Come hang out with other runners and volunteers and swap stories about the day.
Travel, Accomodations
Closest airport: AVL - Asheville Regional Airport (16.7 miles to the start)
Closest towns: Pisgah Forest (1-2 miles), Brevard (5 miles)
Closest large city: Asheville (32 miles)
Distance to big cities: Atlanta - 173 miles, Charlotte - 126 miles, Chattanooga, TN - 248 miles, Knoxville, TN - 137 miles
Nearby camping (across the street): Davidson River Campground
Aside from spectacular trail running, this area is known for amazing waterfalls, world class mountain biking, tough slab climbing, fly fishing, bluegrass music, the Blue Ridge Parkway, top notch breweries, small farms, and white squirrels. Bring your family along to enjoy all Transylvania County has to offer!
Explore Brevard is a good start when planning your trip.
Information pamphlet about things to do in Pisgah National Forest
Closest towns: Pisgah Forest (1-2 miles), Brevard (5 miles)
Closest large city: Asheville (32 miles)
Distance to big cities: Atlanta - 173 miles, Charlotte - 126 miles, Chattanooga, TN - 248 miles, Knoxville, TN - 137 miles
Nearby camping (across the street): Davidson River Campground
Aside from spectacular trail running, this area is known for amazing waterfalls, world class mountain biking, tough slab climbing, fly fishing, bluegrass music, the Blue Ridge Parkway, top notch breweries, small farms, and white squirrels. Bring your family along to enjoy all Transylvania County has to offer!
Explore Brevard is a good start when planning your trip.
Information pamphlet about things to do in Pisgah National Forest
Weather, Sunrise, Sunset
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Weather in mid-October in Pisgah Forest is usually nice and mild with crisp mornings and warm afternoons.
Average high: 68 degrees; Record high: 87 degrees Average low: 49 degrees; Record low: 29 degrees It can be sunny or rainy, especially if any late season hurricanes develop. Be prepared for any weather conditions! You're in for a treat as this is the start of our leaf season, especially at higher elevations. Day of race - Sunrise: 7:37 am Sunset: 6:55 pm |
Awards
Top 3 females and top 3 males will receive unique locally crafted awards.
You don't have to be the fastest to win something! We're offering several raffle awards that will be awarded at the finish.
Awards will be presented as the top 3 finishers come through, but we will also have a post race gathering to swap stories and hang out -- the best award of all!
You don't have to be the fastest to win something! We're offering several raffle awards that will be awarded at the finish.
Awards will be presented as the top 3 finishers come through, but we will also have a post race gathering to swap stories and hang out -- the best award of all!
Parking
Parking is located near the start of the race - at the ranger station, at the Art Loeb trailhead, or at the work center parking lot. Parking is limited, so please arrive early, consider carpooling, get dropped off at the start of the race, or allow time to walk in from surrounding parking areas in the forest or along the Brevard bike path. Specific information will be included in the prerace guide emailed to all participants.
Aid Stations
There are four full service aid stations and one water stop before your final climb to the finish.
Aid station mileages and locations are as follows.
Aid 1: 7.6 miles at intersection of Black Mountain Trail and Clawhammer Road
Aid 2: 13.8 miles at intersection of Yellow Gap Road and Wolf Ford Road
Aid 3: 18.7 miles at intersection of Buckhorn Gap Trail and Clawhammer Road
Aid 4: 23.4 miles at intersection of Buckwheat Knob Trail and Avery Creek Road
Water stop (5): 26.2 miles at intersection of Bennett Gap Trail and Avery Creek Road
Sorry, no drop bags are allowed, but we will have water, sports drink, and a variety of solid foods. Please be sure to carry any specific nutritional or medical needs with you.
Aid station mileages and locations are as follows.
Aid 1: 7.6 miles at intersection of Black Mountain Trail and Clawhammer Road
Aid 2: 13.8 miles at intersection of Yellow Gap Road and Wolf Ford Road
Aid 3: 18.7 miles at intersection of Buckhorn Gap Trail and Clawhammer Road
Aid 4: 23.4 miles at intersection of Buckwheat Knob Trail and Avery Creek Road
Water stop (5): 26.2 miles at intersection of Bennett Gap Trail and Avery Creek Road
Sorry, no drop bags are allowed, but we will have water, sports drink, and a variety of solid foods. Please be sure to carry any specific nutritional or medical needs with you.
Cutoff Times
Race cutoff time is 10 hours. This ensures everyone is off the course by nightfall. 10 hours equates to roughly an 18:45 average mile pace. This is not a course for hiking only as the terrain is rough and climbs are steep and slow.
This is not the best course for a first 50k unless you're a seasoned mountain runner.
Rolling cut off times at each aid station will be enforced. Cut off time at the final water stop at mile 26.2 is 8 hours 30 minutes. If you are pulled from the race please understand that it is for your own safety.
This is not the best course for a first 50k unless you're a seasoned mountain runner.
Rolling cut off times at each aid station will be enforced. Cut off time at the final water stop at mile 26.2 is 8 hours 30 minutes. If you are pulled from the race please understand that it is for your own safety.
Low Impact Event
We aim to leave no impact on the forest as trail users. Treat the land as it is your own - no littering, stay on the trail, and be kind to other trail users. The 50k will be a cupless event; you are required to carry a hydration vessel with you at all times.
Static Map
Interactive Map
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Elevation Profile - Click image for detailed analysis
Course Cues
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Miles
0.0 Start at (Lower) Black Mountain Trail 0.2 Continue onto Thrift Cove Trail 2.6 Right onto (Middle) Black Mountain Trail 7.6 Aid Station. Continue on Black Mountain Trail 8.8 Right onto Barnett Branch Trail 11.8 Right onto Yellow Gap Road 13.8 Aid Station. Right onto Wolf Ford Road 15.1 Continue through gate onto South Mills River Trail 17.0 Right onto Buckhorn Gap Trail 18.7 Right onto Clawhammer Road 19.2 Right onto 5057A 20.8 Right onto Avery Creek Trail 21.8 Left onto Buckwheat Knob Trail 23.5 Aid Station. Cross Avery Creek Road. Continue onto Bennett Gap Trail. 26.2 Left onto Avery Creek Road 26.2 Right onto Pressley Cove Trail 27.4 Right onto Maxwell Cove Road 27.6 Right onto Black Mountain Trail 30.7 Finish |
Proud to be a Trail Sisters Approved race!
The Clawhammer 50k is a UTMB Index Race!
Our races meet the ATRA Event Standards.
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