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.

Participants will have FOUR options upon registration.

-5,000FT of climbing over 3 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 25km.
-10,000FT of climbing over 6 summits of Yonah, totaling roughly 50km.
-Double UP - Race both events! Saturday and Sunday
-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 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. There are #runnable sections of the trail depending on your skill level.

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.

***NEW FOR 2025!***
This will become a two day race over Saturday and Sunday to allow more participants to register and mitigate congestion on the trail and at the trailhead. The 10,000ft challenge will be held on Saturday and the 5,000ft challenge on Sunday. 

Location
Yonah Mountain Trailhead
34.63721066176569, -83.72498145886013

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.

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.

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

630 AM - Packet Pickup available
8 AM - 10,000FT-50K Race Start
4 PM - Must have started final lap!
6 PM - Course closed
630 PM - After-party at NoFo Brew Co (2 miles away)

Sunday February 22nd

730 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)

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!
 
HIKING POLES
Allowed!
 
 REQUIRED GEAR
-All Summit events are cup-less. All participants should carry a bottle, bladder, or collapsible cup at all times.

-All participants should have a waterproof shell or jacket with them at all times.
 
AID
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.

A partial aid station will be provided near the summit as well. *This may only be a water stop/safety check.
 
CREWING
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.