Thurmond, WV | Sunday, May 17, 2026Registration Closed
Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay – May 17, 2026 Run, ruck, or relay your way through one of the most unforgettable ultra marathons in the Appalachian Mountains. The Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay is a point-to-point 50 Mile, 50K, and 50 Mile Relay adventure through the heart of New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia—a bucket-list race for trail runners seeking epic scenery, adventure, and a finish line celebration like no other. Taking place Sunday, May 17, 2026, this race blends rugged singletrack, rocky climbs, and small-town energy with the challenge of racing the clock—and the train—to the finish. The Highball name comes from an early railroad signal meaning “track ahead is clear—proceed at full speed.” That same spirit drives this event, as athletes tackle steep climbs, technical trails, and jaw-dropping overlooks before finishing in historic Thurmond, WV—a ghost town brought to life by the cheers of spectators. Why you’ll love Highball to Thurmond: Epic point-to-point route through New River Gorge National Park Choice of distances: 50 Mile Ultra, 50K Ultra, or 50 Mile Relay Race the Amtrak train to the finish line, then ride it back Finish line celebration with a champagne toast and small-town hospitality Wild and wonderful West Virginia scenery—waterfalls, ridgelines, and historic rail bridges Trail running community spirit with runners, ruckers, and relay teams sharing the journey Race Options 50 Mile Ultra – Starts at 4:45 (early start) or 6:00 AM in Montgomery, WV. About 12 miles of paved road mix with gorgeous mountain dirt roads and rugged trails for ~6,000 feet of elevation gain. Finish in Thurmond in time to board the Amtrak train back—complete with a champagne toast. You have 14 hours to beat the last call whistle at 6:45 PM. 50K Ultra – Starts at Hawks Nest State Park. A daylight point-to-point with ~3,100 feet of gain, well-marked trails, and plenty of aid stations. Perfect for a first ultra or a fast, scenic run through the Go
Available Distances
Awards & Prizes
Timing and Awards
Award Categories! 50 Mile - The top 3 men, women and non-binary overall, along with the top 3 men and top 3 women (under 40 years), top 3 men and top 3 women (40-54 years), top 3 men and top 3 women (55 years or older) will receive awards. 50K - The top 3 men, women and non-binary overall, along with the top 3 men and women in each of the following age groups: 19 and under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+ and over will receive awards. 50K Ruck - The top 3 men, women and non-binary ove
Participant Giveaway
31 Miles: Hoodie
50 Miles: Hoodie
50K: Hoodie
Registration & Pricing
Distance
Price
Opens
Closes
31 Miles
$135.00
Jul 11
Nov 30
$145.00
Dec 1
Feb 14
$155.00
Feb 15
May 15
50 Miles
$150.00
Jul 11
Nov 30
$160.00
Dec 1
Feb 14
$170.00
Feb 15
May 15
50 Mile Pacer
Past Results
1 Mile
Year
Finishers
Median Time
Fastest Time
2022
61
8:01:45
4:51:31
4 Miles
Year
Finishers
Median Time
Fastest Time
2025
80
7:51:08
4:57:27
2024
57
9:13:08
5:07:26
50 Mile
Year
Finishers
Median Time
Fastest Time
Interested in this race?
$0.00
Jul 11
May 16
50K
$50.00
Jul 11
May 15
Event Schedule & Virtual Clinics
Mandatory Pre-Race Athlete Meetings All athletes are required to attend one of these two meetings. Highball to Thurmond Mandatory Pre-Race Athlete Meeting - Opt. 1 Monday, May 11, 2026 · 6:00 pm EST Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/bus-sskk-mph Or dial: (US) +1 929-266-2742 PIN: 750 449 474# More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/bus-sskk-mph?pin=2998878121291 Highball to Thurmond Mandatory Pre-Race Athlete Meeting - Opt. 2 Tuesday, May 12, 2026 · 7:30 pm E
What's Included with Registration
Parking & 50K Shuttles
For the 50 Miler , we will use street parking within Montgomery. You can ride the train back to Montgomery after you finish! There is no post race shuttle back to Montgomery. The 50K has options for parking: 1) Park in Montgomery, take the shuttle to the start line at Cotton Hill Fishing Access Parking Lot, and ride the train from the finish line in Thurmond back to Montgomery after you finish! The shuttle is available as an add-on during registration. The shuttle will leave Montgomery at 5:30 a