Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge

The Mount Yonah Vertical Race
“Without mountains, we might find ourselves relieved that we can avoid the pain of the ascent, but we will forever miss the thrill of the summit. And in such a terribly scandalous trade-off, it is the absence of pain that becomes the thief of life.” —Craig D. Lounsbrough

Details
Join Team Summit for the third annual Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge weekend.

Participants will have FOUR options upon registration.

-5,000FT of climbing over 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km.
-10,000FT of climbing over 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km.
-Double UP - Race both events! Saturday and Sunday
-10,000FT 50k Relay - Grab a friend and tag-team Saturdays 10,000FT 50K! Runners may alternate ascents at their leisure.

Prizes provided by ALTRA Running.

This event sold out in 2024 and 2025! Register now and secure your spot.

The trail is technical and steep for the majority of the climb, with a few sections of scrambling required. As you get closer to the summit, the path becomes a dirt/gravel double-track leading to the top. There are #runnable sections of the trail depending on your skill level.

After-party hosted at NoFo Brew Co - 2 miles from the trailhead!

NEW FOR 2026
Saturday’s 50K will offer a 2-person relay! Bring a friend and tackle the distance together, alternating ascents at your leisure.

NEW FOR 2025!
This will become a two day race over Saturday and Sunday. The 50K will be held on Saturday and the 25K on Sunday. 

Location
Yonah Mountain Trailhead
34.63721066176569, -83.72498145886013

Start/Finish will be in the main parking lot for Mt Yonah. This is a gravel lot with limited space, volunteers will direct participants on where to park. Please consider carpooling.

Schedule
Friday February 26th
530PM - Bib Pickup at NOFO Brew Co (Cleveland)

Saturday February 27th

630 AM - Bib Pickup available
8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start
4 PM - Must have started final lap!
6 PM - Course closed
6 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away) and bib pickup for 25K

Sunday February 28th

730 AM - Bib Pickup available
9 AM - 5,000FT-25K Race Start
3 PM - Must have started final lap!
5 PM - Course closed
5 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)

The Course
The race course follows the Yonah Mountain hiking trail up to the summit of the mountain. From there you will pass the overlook before returning down the mountain. The trail is runnable in some sections, rocky and rooty in others, and a few spots require scrambling over boulders. The race will start with a quick out and back on the gravel road leading to the trail-head, this is so runners will thin out before hitting the trail. Each time you return from your summit, you will repeat the same out and back, this is necessary to achieve the distance and vert advertised. You may encounter hikers on the course, so use caution and be courteous.

Strava Route
 
 

CUTOFFS
10 Hours for the 50K Saturday- You must be on your final summit attempt by 4PM!

8 Hours for the 25K Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 3PM!
 
HIKING POLES
Allowed!
 
 REQUIRED GEAR
-All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times. Revolution Running Co is donating 150 reusable silicon cups to the event, ask for one during check-in!

-All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.

-Adequate footwear - the trail is rocky, rooty, wet, muddy, icy, and everything in between. Be prepared.

*This is a mountain race that takes participants up and over 3000' above sea-level. The weather at the summit can feel drastically different from the trailhead. Do not leave the trail-head without the required gear on you at all times. There is no rescue or bail-out point near the summit, except by helicopter.
 
AID
A full aid station will be provided at the main trailhead, featuring Precision Fuel carb/electrolyte mix(60g of carb/1,000mg of sodium), along with everything else you’d expect including hot food, as well as GF and plant-based options. You will pass this after every loop (roughly every five miles).

There will be a water stop on course near the summit, you will pass it shortly before the summit and again on your way down. Volunteers will be at the mountain-top as well with emergency supplies as-needed, but only for emergencies. 

CREWING
Due to limited space at the trailhead, personal pop-up tents/tables are not allowed. If needed, you may use your vehicle for a personal aid setup, being mindful of others visiting the park or participating in the event. Reminder that you will pass through the whole length of the parking area during each repeat.

Sorry, no pacers or crew allowed on the trail with participants.

WEATHER
Our team closely monitors the weather during race weekend and leading up to it for any adverse conditions. The Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge will be run "rain or shine", but could potentially be delayed or cancelled depending on the severity of any storms and with guidance from the USFS. Your safety and the safety of our crew and volunteers will always be our priority. If storms are expected, keep an eye on your email and our socials for any updates.