About This Race
OUTLAST Blue Ridge presents a unique endurance challenge that tests mental fortitude as much as physical fitness. This six-hour event requires runners to complete a 5K loop every hour, on the hour, for six consecutive rounds. The format is deceptively simple: finish each lap within the hour to advance, miss the cutoff and you're eliminated. The challenge lies not in raw speed but in pacing strategy and discipline. Runners who finish their 5K early must wait until the next hour begins, creating natural rest periods that become increasingly valuable as fatigue accumulates. This format rewards consistent pacing over aggressive early efforts. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the event combines the accessibility of a shorter distance with the mental demands of ultra endurance racing. Success requires completing all six rounds to truly OUTLAST the field.
The course consists of a 5K loop that runners complete six times over six hours. Based on the terrain classification, the route follows paths rather than roads or technical singletrack. The loop is designed to be completed within an hour by runners of varying abilities, suggesting moderate terrain without significant technical challenges. The lack of elevation data indicates either a relatively flat course or incomplete course mapping.
Practical Info
Late March in western North Carolina typically sees mild spring conditions with temperatures in the 50s-60s Fahrenheit, though mountain weather can be variable.
CLT - Charlotte Douglas International Airport
Mill Spring is a small community in Polk County. Nearby Hendersonville and Asheville offer more lodging options within an hour's drive.
Best For
Notable Features
The hourly format creates a distinctive race experience where strategy matters as much as fitness. Runners must balance effort with recovery, knowing they'll have built-in rest periods but also face elimination for missing any single lap. The social aspect of waiting between rounds adds a community element often missing from traditional trail races.