Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival

Past Event

985 Camp Grier Rd, Old Fort NC

Saturday, December 6th, 2025

🏃‍♂️ Event Overview

Event Type: The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is a 3/6/12hr trail run and mountain bike ride on the trails that encompass Camp Grier and the Gateway Trail System, right in the backyard of Old Fort, NC.
Festival Atmosphere: The weekend will have a festival atmosphere with multiple vendors, live music, and special guest speakers across the trail running and mountain bike world.
Purpose: The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funding for the Old Fort Strong Fund, which aims to put money directly into the hands of Old Fort residents and businesses as they rebuild their homes and repair their businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.
Community Impact: Our goal is to raise a minimum of 2 million in donations for this fund to help provide relief, rebuild homes, and support local businesses that have suffered in Old Fort.

Spots Available: The race is open to 450 spots (225 runners/225 riders).
Course Details: There will be separate loops, roughly 3.5 miles for runners and 8 miles for mountain bikers with a common start/finish area.
Fundraiser Agreement: Runners and riders who sign up also agree to become a fundraiser and seek out donations from their networks.
Minimum Goal: Each participant's goal is to raise $100 minimum for the fund.

Fundraising Incentives: Prize packages from our sponsors will be given to those who go above and beyond the minimum fundraising amount.
Prize Tiers: There will be a prize package given out for those raising $1,000+ prize and $5,000+.

December 5th, 2025: 1:00pm - check-in begins, 6:00pm - check-in and vendors close.
Demember 6th, 2025: 7:30am - race check-in begins, 9:30am - 3/6/12 hour run/ride begins, 12:30pm - 3 hr ends, 3:30pm - 6 hr ends, 9:30pm - 12 hour ends.

Participant Swag: All participants in all distances receive a high-quality branded race t-shirt, race sticker, plus other items from our sponsors.
Awards: First place M/F in all timed events receives a hand-crafted award and swag from our sponsor.
Raffle Participation: All participants who register will automatically be added to the race raffle, which will include multiple big ticket items from our sponsors.
Raffle Ticket Sales: Extra raffle tickets can be purchased during registration or afterwards for $25 each, with all funds raised going to the Old Fort Strong Fund.

Early Pickup: We encourage all participants to join us Friday, Dec 5th to pickup your packet early, socialize with fellow athletes, support our vendors, and enjoy live music under Beech Pavilion.
Check-in: Packet pickup will run from 1pm-6pm on Friday. Check-in on race morning is available and will start at 7:30am.

Parking: Parking for the event will be held in the upper fields of Camp Grier. Please carpool as parking is limited: 4 persons per car is highly encouraged.
Shuttles: Spectator shuttle/festival shuttles for those not running will run each day from a TBD location in Old Fort both Friday and Saturday.

Location: There will be one aid station near the start/finish line and tent village near Camp Grier Lake.
Food Options: Basic race food options will be available and some heavier items during meal time hours will be prepared.
Crew Setup: Crews will be able to set up in the tent village area in the fields between the lake and pool adjacent to the start/finish area to support their runners.
Pacers: Pacers are allowed starting at 3:30pm Saturday for 12 hour run participants only.

Trail Etiquette: Stay on marked trails, DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS!
Finish Requirements: Must cross the finish line after completing each lap.
Race Etiquette: Use proper trail etiquette when passing other participants and be courteous to other trail users.
Littering Policy: No littering and obey any race official's request.

Accommodation Options: Camp Grier can offer lodging from private cabins, bunk beds, and primitive camping.
Registration: You can register for lodging options during checkout on RunSignup or separately here.