Quest for the Crest 50k/25k/11k

Quest for the Crest 50k/25k/11k

May 16 - 17, 2026

Burnsville, NC

50K, 25K, 11K

After the devastation of Hurricane Helene hitting the South Toe area we have had some significant changes to the route. We are working on opening up the trails again as the infrastructure is rebuilt. Currently over half the trails are free and clear of washouts / blowdowns. We are working to getting it back. We will hopefully be having there 2025 edition but the route might be slightly different than the past. You will still get a ton of climbing and insane views. A Mountain Race of EPIC proportions!

Welcome to what runners everywhere have deemed "hands down the hardest 11k , 25k and 50k in North America"! Boasting 12,000 ft of vertical gain in the 50k, 4,500 gain in the 25k and 3,300 ft in the 10k, this route will leave you breathless yet high on life as you take on the ridiculously technical trails and soak up the incredible views from Mt. Mitchell and the surrounding peaks. There is not one view, but several wide-open views along the highest mountain chain East of the Mississippi! The juice is worth the squeeze for this one!

Quick Facts:

• ALL courses are point to point and include insane amounts of vertical climbing
• Each race will put participants on all fours briefly to climb up sections. There are sections that utilize a rope. We're not joking...IT IS STEEP!
• First climb for both races is a 2.5 mile climb with 3300 ft gain
• 50k tackles 3 peaks including Mt. Mitchell
• 11k is one major climb

See if you got what it takes to finish this beautiful, competitive, and ridiculously challenging gem of a course!

Registration Opens: Mon. Jun 30, 2025 @ 12:00 AM ET

Start Times:

• 50K: Sat 5:30 AM
• 25K: Sat 7:00 AM