King of the Mountain Logo

King of the Mountain

Pelham, AL

Sat, Aug 14, 2027

In 308 days · Sat, Aug 14, 2027

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When

Saturday, August 14th, 2027

Where

Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham AL

Distance

5K

Typical weather

On this date: rain 3 of the last 10 years

2025

72–89°F

rain

2024

73–91°F

dry

2023

73–86°F

dry

2022

73–94°F

rain

2021

72–88°F

dry

2020

72–87°F

dry

2019

74–95°F

dry

2018

72–93°F

dry

2017

73–85°F

rain

2016

74–90°F

dry

Best months to race in Alabama →

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Race-day forecast · Saturday, Aug 14

Partly cloudy · 72–98°F

Saturday, Aug 14starts near 72°F · 6% chance of rain · wind up to 7 mph

About this race

Race start is at North Trailhead

Beginning with a short service road start, runners will quickly sort themselves before entering the single track of Blue Trail. After some rolling uphill, you will take a hard left up one of Oak Mountain's gnarliest climbs, and my favorite training hill, Outback Highway! Once summitted, good news, the most grueling stretch is behind you. But you still have 2.5 miles of rugged Alabama terrain. After the next, shorter, and gentler hill, you will crest over onto one of my favorite top-outs with boulders towards a slippery pine straw downhill. Next is a walk-worthy climb to your halfway point, your water station, and the crown of this race: King's Chair! After a quarter mile of mostly runnable trail, you will come to your second toughest, but final climb to Eagles Nest. From there, it's about a half mile of technical downhill till you get back to Red Road for a fast finish. But make sure you watch your ankles here!

Each participant gets a headband, sticker, finisher pin, food, beer, coke, and some gnarly climbs! 

There are only two awards in this race. The King, and the Queen. However, if a female wins overall she is both King, and Queen, unless another female gets second. In that case we will have a lady King (first overall), and a lady Queen (second overall). Men are not eligible to win the Queen award. However, anyone who beats 40 minutes will also be knighted.

So, come test your grit with the Southeast's toughest 5k. ~1,100 feet of climbing, and descending over only 3.1 miles, on Oak Mountain's rugged terrain.  

Packet pickup will be morning of, at North Trailhead  

Race start is at North Trailhead

Website

AllTrails

Strava

Course map

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