Rattlerock Ultra

Rattlerock Ultra - July 25, 2026

Rattlerock Ultra is a friendly and energetic ultra event in Northern West Virginia. The race includes 50k and 25k distances on rocky, technical trails. The ultra distance boasts almost 6,000 feet of elevation gain— More Gain, More Pain —making it one of the toughest 50k races in the state. The technical nature of the trails combined with the gain make for a very non-PR course, great for experienced runners who like a challenge in summer.

This event is organized by DEATH TO TYRANTS TRAIL RUNNING where runners train, race, and unite to slay one DNF Tyrant at a time: "On your feet and FIGHT!" Rattlerock is held in the beautiful Coopers Rock State Forest and was started to offer a difficult but quality ultra in summer with good markings, aid, and volunteers.

THE FOREST:

The woods above 2000 feet at Coopers Rock are gorgeous, lush, and vibrant. You will run through abundant patches of flowered rhododendron, cross clear bubbling streams on wooden bridges (or on foot-if you prefer!), whiz past five-story rock cliffs, frolic through open meadows, drop down a sunny cliff that would make both snakes and goats rejoice, shuffle up and down rocky terrain, graze your calves on plush ferns, stroll past a serene lake teeming with trout, and soar through a tunnel of mossy boulders. You might even scramble past our mascot rattlesnake and accelerate to new speeds unknown.

THE ATMOSPHERE:

People are super friendly in this state, if you haven't heard. Couple that with the general kindness and smiles of authentic Appalachian trailrunners, and you get double awesomeness. You will receive high-fives from volunteers, handshakes from RDs, and maybe a moonpie, too. You will find encouragement with every passing loop. And when you hear it a mile deep into the woods, you will know that THE DRUM BEATS FOR YOU! It will guide you past the tyrannical DNF to the finish line of victory.

CUTOFF:

9.5 hours (4:00pm)

MARKINGS:

The course will be marked with extreme care, and it will be checked right before the event to ensure that no runner gets lost due to spaced out or missing markings or signs.

COURSE:

A 7.9+ mile loop repeated 4 times for the 50k and 2 times for the 25k.

TERRAIN:

The course is extremely rocky and technical in the first mile, with boulders and winding hills and turns that flows into a tunnel of rhododendron and then between two faces of rock towering 20 feet above on either side. This is followed by a long downhill with some loose rocks then across a stream with a foot bridge, and along a stream trail that is somewhat rolling and still level in some spots. A steep climb of less than a mile will lead runners to the first aid station, followed by a comfortably steep and less technical downhill which turns into a gradual climb that enters a meadow. With some steep but mostly gradual climbing and descending in the meadow, runners hit a gravel road (and shade again) for a short stretch before getting to the reservoir, where they will then turn onto a flat but rooty, wide trail for a fast mile finish at the end of each loop.

COURSE SUMMARY:

Rattlesnake Trail, Ridge Trail, Mt. Chateau (S), Mt. Chateau (N), Rhododendron Trail, Wall, Clay Run Conn., Powerline, Clay Run, Roadside Trail.

NUMBER OF AID STATIONS:

8 for the 50k, 4 for the 25k

SPONSORS:

Death to Tyrants Trail Running, Hammer Nutrition, The Rad Shack, and Release * Restore.

AWARDS:

RATTLEROCK running hats will be presented to the top 3 male and top 3 female finishers.

ADD-ONS:

Any runner can purchase a printed running hat at checkout on ultrasignup or on race day.

LOGISTICS:

Parking is FREE! We cannot support distance-switching or pacers at this event; however, crews may hang out at the start/finish area. Camping is available for reservation inside Coopers Rock State Park and at many places nearby. Hotels are also available (Cheat Lake and Morgantown are 10-20 min from the start).

PACKET PICKUP:

5-6:30pm on Friday.

POST RACE FOOD:

Pizza!