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.

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

⛰️ The Course

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.

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 trailhead to allow runners to thin out before hitting the trail. Each time you return from your summit, you will repeat the same out and back, which is necessary to achieve the distance and vertical gain advertised. You may encounter hikers on the course, so use caution and be courteous.

Strava Route

📅 Schedule

• Friday February 20th:
• 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 (Cleveland)
• Saturday February 21st:
• 6:30 AM - Packet Pickup available
• 8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start
• 4 PM - Must have started final lap!
• 6 PM - Course closed
• 6:30 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)
• Sunday February 22nd:
• 7:30 AM - Packet 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)

📍 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.

🗓️ Upcoming Changes

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 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.

⏳ Cutoffs

10 Hours: for the 10,000FT Saturday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 4PM!

8 Hours: for the 5,000FT Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 3PM!

🧗 Additional Information

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

For further details and registration, visit the Yonah Mountain Vertical Challenge page.