Hwy 25 & Hwy 2, Thurmond WV
Sunday, May 18th, 2025
🚂 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.
- Train Schedule: The train leaves at 6:59 pm: last call whistle at 6:45 pm, allowing athletes 14 hours to complete the race.
- Course Details: A mix of paved road (about 12 miles), awesome mountain dirt roads, and gorgeous trails with a spectacular view!
- Finishers Medal: Athletes will earn their finishers medal, post race food, and awesome awards with about 6,000 feet of elevation gain.
🌄 The 50 Kilometer Event
- Event Start: This will be a full daylight event starting in Hawks Nest State Park and finishing in Thurmond, WV.
- Course Type: A point-to-point course that takes participants along the beautiful New River Gorge Trails.
- Beginner Friendly: A well-aided and extremely well marked 50K, great for beginners with a reasonable cutoff time.
- Elevation Gain: With 3,100' of elevation gain, this course is both manageable and challenging!
👟 The 50 Mile Relay
- Team Structure: Can be run with 2, 3, or 4 people, with 5 relay hand off points.
- Run Flexibility: Teams can run it in any order and run as many or as few legs as they want, as long as each member runs at least one.
- Team Composition: Bring your best trail runner, best road runner, best mountain runner for an epic point-to-point 50 mile race!
- Challenge Together: Combine talents for an exciting team experience on the trails.
🔗 Learn More
For more information and to register for the race, please visit the official page: Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay.
Starting Line Map
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