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Highball to Thurmond Ultra & Relay

location_city Thurmond

location_on West Virginia

flag United States

calendar_today 17 May, 2026

directions_run Running

language Official Website

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About the Event

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:

Race Options

No matter your distance, you’ll experience wild and wonderful West Virginia, the camaraderie of the trail running community, and a race-day story you’ll tell for years. Secure your spot, train hard, and get ready to raise the ball.

Races Offered

Other

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — Other

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

137 days remaining

Ultra

May 17, 2026

straighten

Distance — Ultra

terrain

Type — Road running

timer

137 days remaining

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Thurmond.

Temp (°C)
Feels Like (°C)
thermostat 13.4° / 24.0°
wb_sunny 12.0° / 23.2°
Wind (km/h)
Humidity (%)
air 10.5 /
water_drop 75.5%

About Thurmond

Scenic view of

Thurmond is a town in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States, on the New River. The population was recorded as 5 in the 2020 census. During the heyday of coal mining in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses and facilities for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway.

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