Pilot Mountain Goat

Race Info

7 Mile starts at 10:00. 3 Mile starts at 10:15.

Climb your way up the mountain like a nimble mountain goat! 3 mile and 7 mile options for all levels of goats and goat-like creatures.

3 mile course:

Start at the Pilot Mountain State Park campground. Run out the wide gravel trail, turn right onto Grindstone Trail. Climb up the mountain to the upper parking lot. Run out the Pilot Knob trail and around the knob. Return back to the finish line on the sidewalk above the bathrooms.

7 Mile Course:

Start in the Pilot Mountain State Park campground. Run out the wide gravel trail and stay straight to go onto Grindstone trail. Turn onto Mountain trail to run around the back of the mountain. Mountain trail connects back to Grindstone trail. Run up Grindstone trail, around the pinnacle on Pilot Knob trail and finish the same place as the 3 mile race.

NOTE: Both races START in the campground and END at the top of the mountain. You will have to run/walk back down the mountain to your car (2.25 miles back down the trail) or get a ride back down from friends or family. You CANNOT ask a park ranger for a ride back down after the race.

Race Capacity Limit of 150 runners total - Register Early to ensure you get a spot!

The first 49 cars will park at the campground, any additional cars will be parked in overflow parking lots. Plan to carpool to the race if possible.

What you get for your registration:

• The opportunity to test yourself against the mountain and other like-minded mountain goat-like creatures
• Beanie embroidered with race logo
• Awards for top finishers (top 3 men and women) and in each age group (top 3 in age group in 7 mile and 1st in age group for 3 mile) for both distances
• Post-race breakfast

Long sleeve race shirts from previous years will be available for purchase at packet pickup and after the race for $10 each. These shirts do not have a year on them.

Packet Pick-up

Early packet-pick-up will be available outside the Pilot Mountain Visitor Center on Friday December 19 from 4:00-5:30 pm

Packet pick-up will be available race day at the starting area from 8:15 am until 9:50 am. Please do not arrive at the park before 8:00 am, the park does not open until 8:00 am.

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be given for registered runners unable to attend on race day. Runners can change distance registered for or transfer their registration to another person by December 17, 2025 through Ultrasignup. Registration can not be transferred to another race or to the next year.

The Pilot Mountain Goat will take place rain or shine, unless Pilot Mountain State Park is closed due to weather conditions. If the state park does close for weather conditions, we will make every effort to reschedule the race for a later date.