Grayson Highlands 50 Mile / 50k / 25k

About the Event

The Grayson Highlands 50 Mile / 50K / 25K is a premier mountain running event celebrating its 13th anniversary on May 2–3, 2026. Held at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, the race is famous for its technical trails, high-altitude balds, and the wild ponies that inhabit the park. Organized by Run Bum Tours, the event is designed to showcase the rugged scenic beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains rather than strictly adhering to exact pavement-style distance measurements.

Race Category	Schedule	Elevation Gain	Time Limit
50 Miler	Saturday, 5:30 AM	~7,500 ft	17 Hours
50K	Saturday, 7:30 AM	~5,000 ft	11 Hours
25K	Sunday, 8:30 AM	~3,000 ft	7 Hours
8 Miler	Sunday, 8:30 AM	~1,200 ft	4 Hours

The geography of Grayson Highlands is among the most unique in the Eastern United States, featuring "balds"—mountain summits covered in thick vegetation rather than forests—and rocky outcrops that offer 360-degree views of Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The park's elevation reaches over 5,000 feet, making it one of the highest race venues in the state. In early May, the weather at these altitudes is notoriously unpredictable; while average valley temperatures may be mild, the ridges often experience high winds, fog, and temperatures roughly 10°C (18°F) cooler than the surrounding lowlands. The presence of the park's famous herd of wild ponies adds a distinct environmental factor, as runners must share the trails with the resident livestock.

Logistically, the event spans two days to accommodate the various distances, with a non-mandatory packet pickup held on Friday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. All finishers receive a beanie or hat and a commemorative medal, with proceeds benefiting the state park, local rescue squads, and park "friends" groups. Due to the high demand and environmental protections within the state park, the event typically sells out well in advance. Registration for the 2026 races is currently open, and the organization maintains a strict "no refunds or transfers" policy within 90 days of the start date. Caleb Bowen holds one of the top performances in recent years, with a 2021 winning time of 6:55:07 for the 50-mile course.

Races Offered

50 Miler

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 80.5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

05:30

sell

$195.00

50K

May 02, 2026

straighten

Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:30

sell

$195.00

25K

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$125.00

8 Miler

May 03, 2026

straighten

Distance — 12.9K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

sell

$85.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Mouth of Wilson.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 10.2° / 20.6°

wb_sunny 8.6° / 18.6°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 9.4 /

water_drop 75.1%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 10.2° / 20.6°

wb_sunny 8.6° / 18.6°

air 9.4 km/h

water_drop 75.1%

About Mouth of Wilson

Learn more about the host city, Mouth of Wilson.

Mouth of Wilson is an unincorporated community in Grayson County in the U.S. state of Virginia, just north of the North Carolina state line. The community lies in the Blue Ridge Highlands section of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are part of what is considered the Middle Appalachian Mountains, on the western banks of the New River, where Big Wilson Creek empties its waters. The main road through the area is U.S. Route 58; other major roads include Virginia Route 16 and Virginia Route 93.