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.

• Climbing Options: 5,000FT of climbing over 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km.
• Climbing Options: 10,000FT of climbing over 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km.
• Double UP: Race both events! Saturday and Sunday.
• Relay: 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 Trail

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.

🎉 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.

🗓 Race 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

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.

🏨 Accommodation

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.

🏃‍♂️ 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

⏰ 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!

🏔️ Required Gear

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

🛠️ Aid Stations

• Full Aid Station: 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.
• Partial Aid Station: A partial aid station will be provided near the summit as well. This may only be a water stop/safety check.

🚫 Crewing Guidelines

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.