Highball to Thurmond Ultra
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Event overview
The Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay is a point-to-point trail event on May 17, 2026, in New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia. Races finish in Thurmond, WV (population 5 at the 2020 census). The event offers multiple formats:
- 50 Mile
- 50K
- 50 Mile Relay
- 50K Ruck
- Virtual 50 Mile
- Virtual 50K
Participants may return from the finish to the start area by Amtrak train.
Race and logistics
The 50 Mile events start in Montgomery, WV, and the 50K starts at Hawks Nest State Park; all finish in Thurmond. The 50 Mile course includes about 12 miles of paved road, mountain dirt roads, and trails, with roughly 5,000 feet of elevation gain. The 50K is a daylight, point-to-point trail course with about 3,100 feet of elevation gain and marked, aided routing. The 50 Mile Relay can be run by 2 to 4 people, with each team member required to run at least one leg and handoffs allowed at official aid stations.
Registration benefits listed for participants include a finisher medal, a custom 2026 hoodie, race photos, well-stocked aid stations, awards for top finishers and relay teams, and an option to add a train ticket from the finish back to the start. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.