Pilot Mountain Goat
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Event details
The Pilot Mountain Goat takes place at Pilot Mountain State Park, 1792 Pilot Knob Park Road, Pinnacle, NC on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The event offers the following distances:
- 7 Mile
- 3 Mile
Race capacity is limited to 150 runners total. Registration closes December 17, 2025. The first 49 cars will park at the campground; additional cars will be directed to overflow parking lots.
Course and logistics
Both races start at the park campground and finish at the top of the mountain. The 3 mile course follows the wide gravel trail onto Grindstone Trail, climbs to the upper parking lot, runs the Pilot Knob trail around the knob, and returns to the finish on the sidewalk above the bathrooms. The 7 mile course uses the campground gravel trail onto Grindstone Trail, continues onto Mountain Trail around the back of the mountain, reconnects to Grindstone Trail, then follows Pilot Knob trail to the same finish.
Participants must return down the trail to reach parked cars - the descent is 2.25 miles - or arrange a ride; park rangers cannot provide rides back down after the race. Early packet pick-up is available Friday, December 19 at the Pilot Mountain Visitor Center from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Race-day packet pick-up is at the starting area; the park opens at 8:00 am. No refunds are given; transfers or distance changes are allowed through December 17, 2025. The event proceeds rain or shine unless the park closes for weather.
What registrants receive includes a beanie embroidered with the race logo, awards for top finishers and age groups, and a post-race breakfast. Long sleeve shirts from previous years are available for purchase at packet pickup and after the race for $10 each. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.