Hellbender 2025!
Hellbender 2025 will look different than in the past. Because of Helene, we will most likely have an alternative course. We promise you that there will still be plenty of climbing and descending. You will still experience the beauty of our mountains in Western North Carolina, and the community of enthusiastic volunteers that make this race happen. As trail, road, and community conditions become more clear, we will update you with a course map. Until then, we hope you will still support our race and our mission as a nonprofit by signing up.
The Hellbender 100 is one of the most scenic hundred milers on the East Coast. This course will take you through a grueling tour of the massive Black Mountains, deep into the valleys below and to the summit of Mt. Mitchell, the highest mountain East of the Mississippi. With an elevation change of ~48,000+ ft, runners will experience some of the most challenging and beautiful trails in all of Western North Carolina. You'll not want to miss this premiere, graduate level hundred through the heart of Southern Appalachia!
Hellbender 100 is presented by Run828, a non-profit located in Western North Carolina. The RUN828 Foundation is committed to giving back to our WNC community. A percentage of Hellbender 100 proceeds will go to nonprofits who align with our mission of promoting healthy, active outdoor activities for all. For more information, visit: https://www.hellbender100.com/
We are now a Hardrock 100 qualifier!! Finishers from 2023 and 2024 can apply to the 2025 lottery, and 2024 and 2025 finishers can apply to the 2026 lottery.
We are also a Western States 100 qualifier!! Finishers from 2025 can apply to the 2026 lottery, and 2024 finishers can apply to the 2025 lottery.
Male, Female, and Transgender/Non-binary Registration Policy
The Hellbender 100 is open to male, female, and non-binary runners.
Transgender and non-binary runners are encouraged to participate! We will accept every transgender and non-binary runner’s self-declared gender category at registration and no one may challenge a runner’s self-declaration.
Waitlist Policy
If registration fills, you will be added to the waitlist. You will not be charged for entering the waitlist. You will be charged the entry fee only if you accept an invitation from the waitlist.
Refund Policy
Runners can receive a 50% refund until January 15, 2025. In the event of an unforeseen situation such as military deployment, death in the family, etc. we will offer a full 100% credit towards next year’s race. We also offer a pregnancy deferral with 100% credit toward a future race. Please contact us directly to discuss this option.
Note: Running injuries, weddings, vacations, to name a few, are not eligible for refunds or deferrals. Email cbaris@run828foundation.org with any questions.
Swag
Swag Bag with t-shirt
Finishers Buckle
Sub-24 Hour Award
Pre Race Meal
Stocked Aid Stations & Finish Line Food (details to be published in Runners Guide)
Runners Guide
https://www.hellbender100.com/participant-guide
Volunteer Hours
8 Hours of volunteer work is needed to be completed between 5/12/2024 and 5/1/2025. This can be trail work, volunteering, race directing at a race, or any other trail/running centered activity.
Qualification for Running Hellbender
You must have completed a 100k with 10,000' of vertical gain or any 100 miler between May 1, 2023 and May 1, 2025, or Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50 miler. These need not be a formal race. You can complete a route with the aforementioned requirements in a non-competitive event, FKT, or adventure run. Be prepared to submit proof if you are submitting the latter as your qualifier (a Strava link for example). You can register for Hellbender before completing your qualifier. Questions please contact cbaris@run828foundation.org.
Cutoffs
You will have 40 Hours to complete this race. Cutoffs will be enforced at multiple Aid Stations. Those cutoffs will be listed in the Runners Guide.
Required Gear
Due to the unpredictable mountain weather on this course we will require all RUNNERS and PACERS to carry the following gear at ALL times for their safety. This includes: headlamp, back-up light and batteries, weather proof jacket (seam-sealed), emergency bivy (such as a S.O.L. emergency bivy, an emergency blanket does not count), insulating long sleeve base layer, warm hat and gloves, emergency whistle, calories, hydration carrier (40oz+), cell phone or Garmin inReach, and GPS unit provided by the race. We will be very strict about these gear requirements. We will have mandatory gear checks before race start, and at multiple times during the race. We will reserve the right to pull runners and/or pacers from the course at any time if you are not carrying the required gear.
Lodging
For information on lodging/camping at Camp Grier (race start), please visit https://www.hellbender100.com/lodging. You can reserve lodging during your registration on ultrasignup or by visiting this link. https://ultrasignup.com/shopping.aspx?dtid=54290
For additional lodging options please visit https://www.blueridgetraveler.com/attractions/category/stay/
“Funded in part by the McDowell County TDA”
Event's current local time: 10:50 AM ET
