Cancelled Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED
DESCRIPTION
The 2nd Annual Vertical Night Challenge trail race is set for October 1, 2022, with two races (Vertical Mile and Half Vertical Mile) beginning at 6:00 p.m. at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, 3451 Rocky Face Church Road in Hiddenite, NC 28636.
REGISTRATION
Registration for the Vertical Night / Half-Vertical Night Challenge is $35. There is no race day registration.
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
All state and local ordinances pertaining to COVID-19 will be followed. Crewing areas will be available along the trail and will be 10 feet apart.
AID STATION
At the base of the mountain, near the start/finish line, there will be an aid station with water, Gatorade, soft drinks, and salty and sweet snacks. Pickles and pickle juice will also be available.
LOGISTICS
Runners are encouraged to carry a water bottle. Each lap (8 laps for Vertical Night and 4 laps for Half-Vertical Night) will travel the nearly 2-mile loop. After the start/finish line, there is a paved section along the base of the rock face that is the ideal place to bring your drop bag. Some runners bring pop-up tents. Runners then travel about a half-mile on trails to the Stairway to Heaven Trail. This half-mile hill is on an open, very steep rock face. After Stairway, it’s about one mile downhill to the steps and the start/finish line.
COURSE RECORD
Fastest First Lap – Men
Brian Beal – 17:14 (2020)
Fastest First Lap – Women
Sarah Nichols – 21:58 (2020)
Vertical Mile – Men’s Record
Brian Beal – 2:47 (2020)
Vertical Mile – Women’s Record
Sarah Nichols – 3:36 (2020)
CONTESTS, AWARDS, & SHIRTS
Runners who sign up for the Vertical Night Challenge must do the Vertical Mile. We cannot give credit or count your time if you only do half the race. Runners who sign up for the Half-Vertical Mile Challenge can only run this distance.
Awards will be given to Overall Male and Female finishers recognizing their accomplishment. Overall Alexander County Male and Female finishers will also be recognized. Additionally, awards will be presented for the Overall Fastest First Lap for Male and Female as well as Alexander County Fastest First Lap Male and Female. Only those who complete 8 laps will be eligible for the Fastest First Lap award.
Awards will also be given in the Half-Vertical Mile Challenge to Overall Male and Female finishers recognizing their accomplishment. Overall Alexander County Male and Female finishers will also be recognized. There are no Fastest First Lap awards in the Half-Vertical Night Challenge race.
Finishers of both the 2022 Vertical Mile Challenge and Vertical Night Challenge will receive the Vertical Double Buckle. These buckles were presented in 2020 and were appreciated! There are no buckles for the Vertical Half-Mile.
Also in 2022, five-year finisher awards will be presented.
Shirts will be guaranteed to those who register by September 23rd and finish the race.
PACKET PICK-UP
Packet pick-up starts at 4:30 p.m. until the race begins at 6:00 p.m. on October 1, 2022 at Rocky Face Mountain Recreational Area, located at 3451 Rocky Face Church Road in Hiddenite, NC.
Event's current local time: 7:17 AM ET
