Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge
- Date Sat 15th February 2025 - Sun 16th February 2025
- Time 8:00AM EST
- Location Cleveland, Georgia
- Price $85.80 - $149.40
- Races 3 races
- Distances Ultra
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating weekend at the Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge, taking place from February 15 to 16, 2025, in the beautiful Cleveland, Georgia. This thrilling event offers participants the chance to conquer the majestic Yonah Mountain with two challenging race options: tackle 5,000 feet of climbing over 25 kilometers on Sunday, or push your limits with a staggering 10,000 feet of elevation gain over 50 kilometers on Saturday.
This year’s event has been expanded to two days, allowing more adventurers to join in on the fun while exploring technical trails that promise a mix of steep ascents and breathtaking views. Runners will enjoy a mix of runnable sections and rugged terrain, including some scrambling spots. After each day’s race, participants can unwind at the after-party at NoFo Brew Co, just two miles from the trailhead. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or looking to challenge yourself, the Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge is the perfect opportunity to embrace the thrill of the climb and celebrate the spirit of adventure!
This year’s event has been expanded to two days, allowing more adventurers to join in on the fun while exploring technical trails that promise a mix of steep ascents and breathtaking views. Runners will enjoy a mix of runnable sections and rugged terrain, including some scrambling spots. After each day’s race, participants can unwind at the after-party at NoFo Brew Co, just two miles from the trailhead. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or looking to challenge yourself, the Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge is the perfect opportunity to embrace the thrill of the climb and celebrate the spirit of adventure!
Organiser's Description
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 second annual Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge.
Participants will have THREE 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.
-BOTH!!!
This event sold out in 2024! 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 2025!***This will become a two day race over Saturday and Sunday to allow more participants to register and mitigate congestion on the trail and at the trailhead. The 10,000ft challenge will be held on Saturday and the 5,000ft challenge on Sunday.
BONUS: Yes you may register for both events for a special 15,000ft challenge award!!!
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.
We are negotiating with a partner hotel/lodge in the area for a discounted rate for participants. We will update once we have something worked out.
Schedule
Friday February 14
4PM - Sunset Hike open to all participants, families, and friends! No additional fee to attend. Casual pace hike to check out the course and the views.
6PM - Packet Pickup at NOFO Brew Co [https://www.nofobrew.co/] (Cleveland)
Saturday February 15
630 AM - Packet Pickup available
8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start
4 PM - Must have started final lap!
6 PM - Course closed
630 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)
Sunday February 16
630 AM - Packet Pickup available
8 AM - 5,000FT-25K Race Start
2 PM - Must have started final lap!
4 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 [https://www.strava.com/routes/3159559501101241128?_branch_match_id=1144069782034841442&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXLy4pSixL1EssKNDLyczL1i8I9cwMN8it8nJNAgBpxYDAIwAAAA%3D%3D]
CUTOFFS
10 Hours for the 10,000FT Saturday- You must be on your final summit attempt by 4PM!
6 Hours for the 5,000FT Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 2PM!
HIKING POLES
Allowed!
REQUIRED GEAR
-All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times.
-All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.
AID
A full aid station will be provided at the main trailhead by Team Summit. You will pass this after every repeat, so roughly every five miles.
A partial aid station will be provided near the summit as well. *This may only be a water stop/safety check.
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.
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 second annual Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge.
Participants will have THREE 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.
-BOTH!!!
This event sold out in 2024! 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 2025!***This will become a two day race over Saturday and Sunday to allow more participants to register and mitigate congestion on the trail and at the trailhead. The 10,000ft challenge will be held on Saturday and the 5,000ft challenge on Sunday.
BONUS: Yes you may register for both events for a special 15,000ft challenge award!!!
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.
We are negotiating with a partner hotel/lodge in the area for a discounted rate for participants. We will update once we have something worked out.
Schedule
Friday February 14
4PM - Sunset Hike open to all participants, families, and friends! No additional fee to attend. Casual pace hike to check out the course and the views.
6PM - Packet Pickup at NOFO Brew Co [https://www.nofobrew.co/] (Cleveland)
Saturday February 15
630 AM - Packet Pickup available
8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start
4 PM - Must have started final lap!
6 PM - Course closed
630 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)
Sunday February 16
630 AM - Packet Pickup available
8 AM - 5,000FT-25K Race Start
2 PM - Must have started final lap!
4 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 [https://www.strava.com/routes/3159559501101241128?_branch_match_id=1144069782034841442&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXLy4pSixL1EssKNDLyczL1i8I9cwMN8it8nJNAgBpxYDAIwAAAA%3D%3D]
CUTOFFS
10 Hours for the 10,000FT Saturday- You must be on your final summit attempt by 4PM!
6 Hours for the 5,000FT Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 2PM!
HIKING POLES
Allowed!
REQUIRED GEAR
-All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times.
-All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.
AID
A full aid station will be provided at the main trailhead by Team Summit. You will pass this after every repeat, so roughly every five miles.
A partial aid station will be provided near the summit as well. *This may only be a water stop/safety check.
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.
Races
-
10,000ft - 50k
Incl. $7.30 Fee
Sat 15th February 2025 (8:00AM EST)
$112.30
10,000ft of climbing over 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km. 10 Hour cutoff. Course Record - F: 716 / M: 543 -
5,000ft - 25k
Incl. $5.80 Fee
Sun 16th February 2025 (8:00AM EST)
$85.80
5,000ft of climbing over 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km. 6 hour cutoff. Course Record - F: 349 / M: 206 -
DOUBLE UP - 15,000FT - 75k
Incl. $9.40 Fee
Sat 15th February 2025 (8:00AM EST)
$149.40
Toe the line Saturday AND Sunday for a weekend total of 15,000FT of vert and 75K of distance.
Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge