For the past three years, this wonderful race has been the focal point of my early season training. Being more of a medium distance racer, I found that training for a February ultra gives you enough motivation through the dark winter months to enter the spring season with a fantastic base. The races are sold out and usually do so in the first few days but if you're intested in next year's edition, I made a couple of low-budget videos to give you an idea of what they're like. These were made in November and early December. Since then we have had more than 24" of snow. It should be an epic race again this year. Inov-8 has been a force in the past with Mark Lundblad winning the Challenge in last year's contest and Anne Lundblad taking the Woman's Marathon, (as well as past Challenge victories).
The races are out and back, mostly on trail and very treaturous. The weather is the main monster, (expect EVERYTHING), but the footing can be just as frightening. The Challenge is a 40 miler (5000'+ in the first 20 miles) taking you from the town of Black Mountain to the top of the highest point on the East coast, Mt. Mitchell, then back . The Marathon follows the same path but turns around at the base of Mt. Mitchell. Race day is Feb 27th. Hope everyone is out working off those holiday calories. Enjoy...d
Monday, December 28, 2009
Mt. Mitchell Challenge and Black Mountain Marathon
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10 comments:
Hi Dwight. Does the ascent portion of this race have a lot of up/down? Or, is it a constant uphill grind? 5,000+ feet of climbing in the first 20 miles is a bit different from the 3,000' start to the 6,684' turn-around. This will be my first attempt at the Challenge and was just wondering if I should expect more of a Shut-In Ridge type course. Thanks!
Its pretty much all uphill. There are several flatter sections where you can recover. Only 1 real downhill that I can think of but very short. I personally think Shut-in is harder but the last pitch up to the Mt. Mitchell summit will do some pretty good ass-kicking of its own. Good luck...d
good luck to all!!!!
Thanks. Glad to here Shut-In is harder!
I would say Shut In is harder or equal to the marathon course but not the 40 mile especially in bad weather.
Hi Mark. How does your Shut-In time compare to your ascent only time on the MMC? I know there will be some variables because when you finish Shut-In you're done, not just half done! But I'm just trying to get an idea of what I can expect for myself for an ascent time.
Thanks.
Yeah, sorry Rick. Mark is right. I am comparing the Marathon to Shut-in. The weather is the huge unknown with Mitchell. Right now, you may be post-holing the entire way or slipping on ice every step. This will greatly determine your race time. Last year the weather was one of the worst days ever for the event. Whatever the day brings, don't underestimate the misery of running 2hrs downhill. :-)
Rick,
My fastest Shut In time is 2:26, my best ascent time for the Mitchell course is just under 2:50One thing to note the turnaround at the top of Mitchell is close to 21 miles. Shut In has downhill sections, the ascent to Mitchell has some brief flat sections but no downhill.
Really the greatest variable is weather. If the course has little to no ice and cool race day temps you can fly up/down, but if it has lots of ice or bad race day weather you'll feel more like a Sherpa. Course conditions change dramatically from one week to the next especially up near the top. I've carried Yaktrax everytime in the race as I used them some in training but I've never used them in the race....so you just never know, guess that is part why the race is called a "challenge".
ML
Thanks alot guys, this is great info. I guess I need to get my butt over there and run some of the course myself!
My wife walks marathons regularly, and I'm an avid hiker. The Black Mountain Marathon seems to allow 11 hours (7 AM to 6 PM), and I'm confident we could walk the marathon in that time. Do they accept people who intend to walk instead of run?
Thanks.
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