Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay

🚂 Race Overview

The highball was a signal used in early railroads to signal the track was clear. When the ball was hoisted, trains were cleared to proceed! We're raising the ball on this unique 50 Mile and 50 Kilometer event, encouraging athletes to proceed on this epic trail adventure. Both races finish in Thurmond, West Virginia. With a population of 5 at the 2010 census, it is the least populated railroad town in the nation and part of the New River Gorge National Park.

🏃‍♂️ The 50 Miler

• Start Time: This event starts at 4:45 am in Montgomery, WV, 50 Miles from the finish line in Thurmond, WV.
• Transportation: Athletes have 14 hours to complete this epic adventure to catch the train back to Montgomery, which leaves at 6:59 pm.
• Course Details: The course includes about 12 miles of paved road, mountain dirt roads, and gorgeous trails with spectacular views.
• Elevation: With about 6,000 feet of elevation gain, athletes will earn their finishers medal, post-race food, and awesome awards!

🌄 The 50 Kilometer Event

• Start Location: This event starts in Hawks Nest State Park and finishes in Thurmond, WV.
• Trail Experience: The course follows the beautiful New River Gorge Trails, ensuring a scenic journey.
• Course Support: This is a well-aided and marked 50K, with a reasonable cutoff time making it a great beginner trail ultra.
• Elevation Gain: The course includes 3,100' of elevation gain, balancing manageability and challenge!

👟 The 50 Mile Relay

• Team Composition: This 50 Mile Relay can be run with 2, 3, or 4 people.
• Relay Points: There are 5 relay hand-off points, allowing teams to run in any order and at their pace.
• Run Variety: Participants can include the best trail runner, road runner, and mountain runner for an epic point-to-point race!
• Team Requirements: Each member of the team must run at least one leg of the relay.

📝 Registration Information

For more details and to register, visit the official race page: Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay.