NEW DATE - September 6, 2025

New race date SEPTEMBER 6, 2025!***
We have heard from the Forest Service that the bridge to the Gateway Trailhead will be restored by the end of May 2025.
Runners that registered for the 2024 event will receive updated communication shortly!
Please note that this race was originally scheduled for 10/5/2024, one week after Hurricane Helene hit WNC. All race shirt, medal, and award artwork will reflect the 2024 date. The items were ordered and in house when the hurricane hit our area.

Chasing Trail 3hr, 6hr, 12hr, & 5k

Get ready to chase trails with us on September 6, 2025 in the new Gateway trail system in Old Fort, NC. This timed event lets you choose your distance in 3 hours, 6 hours, or 12 hours. *5k race option also available! The 5k would be one loop.

The course is a ~3.2 mile loop with approximately 380ft of elevation gain. This trail system is very approachable for beginner trail runners, while still providing a challenge as you add more and more loops.

Runners must complete at least 1 loop before the end of their time limit to be a finisher. Only loops completed within your time limit will be counted towards your total. Race fuel and hydration will be provided at the start/finish race base. Crews are welcome in the Gateway Trailhead parking lot. There are no aid stations ON the course.
A portion of race proceeds will be donated to McDowell Trails Association!

Mountain Running Company will be providing gift certificates for our top awards!

Top Male & Female for each event:
1st Place Wooden Award & $50 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company
2nd Place Wooden Award & $35 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company
3rd Place Wooden Award & $20 Gift Card to Mountain Running Company

Course Information

The course starts/finishes in the Old Fort Gateway Trailhead parking lot and runners will run through the race arch to complete each loop. Each race will start with a loop around the parking lot to spread out runners before heading towards Jarretts Creek Road. This is an approximately .1 mi of gravel road before runners with hook left onto the Gateway Trails.

The Gateway Trail section is ~ 1.9 miles of rolling uphill single track trail with approximately 300ft of climb and beautiful scenic views. The trail meets Jarretts Creek Road and runners will turn right onto the gravel road for ~.2 miles. The course will hook a sharp right onto the Foundation Trail and will stay left to continue onto the Foundation Trail. Runners will continue on this downhill singletrack trail for approximately 1 mile before meeting Jarretts Creek Road. Runners will follow Jarretts Creek Road into the Gateway Trailhead parking lot and loop through the start/finish arch to begin a new loop.

Crews/aid are allowed to set up tents in the Gateway Trailhead Parking lot. All tents must be weighted down at each corner and spectators must pay attention to vehicle traffic.

Packet Pick Up

Early Packet Pick Up 9/5/2025
4-6PM at Mountain Running Company 4 s Tunnel Road, Asheville. Runners can pick up multiple packets!

Race Day Packet Pick UP 9/6/2025
6-8:45AM Gateway Trailhead Parking Lot

REFUNDS/TRANSFER

Kick It Event Management (Kick It Events) & Chasing Trails Ultras have a no refund policy. As we work diligently year-round to prepare for this event, including the ordering of items like medals and shirts months in advance, we want to ensure a smooth experience for all participants.
Transfer Policy for Chasing Trails Ultras
We understand that plans can change and training might not go to plan, so we offer a transfer option to accommodate such situations. Please familiarize yourself with our transfer policy:
You can transfer your registration to another runner or to another Chasing Trails event (ie, 3 Hour to 5k) up to Sunday 8/31/2025 at 6pm. If you have any problems contact info@kickitevent.com immediately.
Runners running on someone else’s bib without our knowledge will be DQ’ed.
You can transfer from an in-person runner to a virtual runner up until Sunday 8/31/25 at midnight without having to pay shipping fees. If you transfer to a virtual runner after 8/31/2025 you will be charged a shipping fee for your race packet. There are no refunds for a transfer to a lesser subevent.
If you want to transfer to a different distance or to a different runner after 8/31/2025 please email Info@kickitevents.com and we will get you switched.

Postponement Policy for Chasing Trail Ultras
In the event the race is postponed and you would like your race swag mailed to you, you will be required to pay the shipping cost for your race bib and race swag.
In the event of severe weather or course flooding, the event will be postponed, at the race directors discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
Inclement weather determination is at the discretion of the race directors. We are looking for dangerous conditions for our runners and volunteers or impassable flooding on the course along the river. The postponement announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather, we reserve the right to postpone the race up until race morning.
No refunds will be given if you signed up for this race by accident. Double check the city, date and time BEFORE registering.

In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed at the race directors discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
Inclement weather determination is at the discretion of the race directors. We are looking for dangerous conditions for our runners and volunteers or impassable flooding.
The postponement announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to postpone the race up until race morning. A Postponement announcement will be by 5am race morning.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, health emergency or state of emergency, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race.
Race postponement will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website as well as posted on our social media platforms.

Event's current local time: 4:33 AM AST