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.

🤔 Registration Options

• 5,000FT Climb: 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km.
• 10,000FT Climb: 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km.
• Double UP: Race both events on Saturday and Sunday.
• 50K Relay: Team up to cover Saturday's 10,000FT 50K while alternating ascents at leisure.

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

🚵 Course Information

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

After-party hosted at NoFo Brew Co - 2 miles from the trailhead!

🔔 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.

🗓️ Event Schedule

Friday, February 20th:

• 4 PM: 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.
• 6 PM: 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).

🗺️ Course Description

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

⏰ Cutoff Times

• 10 Hours: For the 10,000FT on Saturday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 4 PM!
• 8 Hours: For the 5,000FT on Sunday - You must be on your final summit attempt by 3 PM!

🆗 Required Gear

• Cup-less: All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times.
• Weather Gear: All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.

🍽️ Aid Stations

A full aid station will be provided at the main trailhead, featuring Precision Fuel carb/electrolyte mix (60g of carb/1,000mg of sodium), along with everything else you’d expect including hot food, as well as GF and plant-based options. You will pass this after every loop (roughly every five miles).

There will be a water stop on course near the summit, you will pass it shortly before the summit and again on your way down. Volunteers will be at the mountain-top as well with emergency supplies as-needed, but only for emergencies.

👥 Crew Information

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.