General Information

Wind your way through the woods from the Pilot Creek Trailhead to the Mountain Section of Pilot Mountain State Park where you will climb up to the Pinnacle for views of the Piedmont below.

Hot post-race meal at the finish line!!

Marathon starts at 9:00 am, 20k starts at 10:00 am.

Course Description

Marathon Course: Start at the Pilot Creek Trailhead. Run the Pilot Creek Trail to the campground. Take a right on Grindstone trail, then a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. Take a left onto Mountain trail to explore the backside of the mountain. Turn left back onto Grindstone trail at the Ranger’s station, then loop the mountain again! (Take a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. Take a left onto Mountain trail to explore the backside of the mountain. Turn left back onto Grindstone trail at the Ranger’s station.) The second time around you will turn right onto Pilot Creek Trail to return to the start/Finish area. Full Aid Stations at approximately 3.3 miles, 7 miles, 13.5 miles, 17 miles, and 23.5 miles.

20k Course: Start at the Pilot Creek Trailhead. Run the Pilot Creek Trail to the campground. Take a right on Grindstone trail, then a right onto the infamous Ledge Springs trail, climbing up to the top of the mountain. Turn right onto Jomeokee trail and circle the pinnacle clockwise. Come back through the upper parking lot to get back on Grindstone trail, heading down the mountain. turn left onto Pilot Creek Trail to return to the start/Finish area. See our website for elevation chart. Full Aid stations at approximately 3.3 miles, 7 miles, and 9 miles.

Full aid stations will have water, Gatorade, Coke, gels, PB&J sandwiches, Oreos, pretzels, and fruit.

Time Cut-offs and Limited Capacity

Cut Off Time of 3:30 pm for both races. Marathon runners must pass through aid station one (half way point) by 12:00 pm in order to continue in the race. Marathon runners must pass through aid station two (top of the mountain) for the second time by 1:30 pm in order to continue the race. Race Capacity Limit of a total of 125 runners combined for both races! Register early to ensure you get a spot!

Camping

Dry camping available at Jomeokee Campground,only a 6 minute drive from the race start! Visit their website at https://www.jomeokeecampground.com/ for details.

Packet Pickup

Packet Pick-up will be available on Friday, February 21 from 4:00-5:30 pm outside the Pilot Mountain State Park Visitor Center. Packet pick-up will also be available at the start race day from 8:00 am until 9:45 am. Please do not arrive at the park before 8:00 am, the park does not open until 8:00 am.

Refunds and Transfers

Runners can transfer their registration to another runner through 2-20-2025. Runners can also change distances up to race day. 20k runners changing up to the marathon distance will have to pay the difference in registration fees. Marathon runners changing down to the 20k distance will not receive a refund of the difference in fees. No refunds or transfers to another year or another event.

The Pilot Mountain Marathon and 20k will take place rain or shine, unless Pilot Mountain State Park is closed due to weather conditions. If the state park does close for weather conditions, we will make every effort to reschedule the race for a later date.

Event's current local time: 5:30 PM ET