Click the "play" triangle to watch a preview drive of sections of the course. Note that some sections use photos instead of video.
above information.
Course Description
Both races start and finish at the Paddy's Creek section of Lake James State Park.
The 50-miler is approximately 48% pavement, 48% gravel road, and 4% trail. Total elevation gain is around 5,000' with a maximum elevation of just under 4,000'. Note: the 50-miler is actually about 54 miles so look at it as a 50-miler with a bonus.
The 50K is approximately 33% pavement and 67% gravel road. The total elevation gain is about 3,245' and the maximum elevation is about 3,750'. Please note that even though these are the "Table Rock Ultras," the 50-K does not actually go to the top of Table Rock Mountain. It does, however, have plenty of climb and has a great view of Table Rock from the Wiseman's View Overlook.
Certification
We want the 50-milers to get to the top of Table Rock and since there is a one-mile trail leading up and down from the top, that pretty much precludes any certification of the 50-mile course. Plus, it's going to be fifty-four miles, anyway. We will consider certifying the 50K course, but it likely won't happen this year. We'll make it as close to accurate as possible, however. You're looking at a net climb of about 2200' over the first half of the 50K so you're not likely to PR at this race, unless it's your first 50K.
Course Maps
Currently, the maps are unofficial and water stops marked on the maps are just preliminary. This is an ultra and it's possible that we'll change the number of aid stations back as we move forward with planning. Plus, it's hard to get that many volunteers! Click the links below for MapMyRun summaries of the courses as they are currently planned.
50-Mile Course (Note: this map does not include the two-miles on trail up and down Table Rock from the parking lot.)
50-K Course (Note: The 50-K runners will seperate from the 50-milers at about mile 1.25 for an out-and-back necessary to make the course the proper distance. Once you reach the Wiseman's View Overlook, you will then head straight back to the finish.
Traffic Conditions
Should not be an issue this time of year until possibly the Highway 183 and Highway 126 sections of the 50-mile course. The gravel roads are pretty rough and any cars/trucks will likely be going reasonably slow. If it has been dry, they may throw up some dust, but should not be a problem, otherwise. We will likely have to hand out reflective vests on Highway 126 for runners arriving after a certain time because it will be getting dark early this time of year and it is a public road. Also, with sunset occuring around 5:30 p.m., we may require headlights for those runners on Highway 126 after dusk and we definitely plan to hand out reflective vests for those running after sunset.
What to Expect
You can only learn so much from the profile and the map. We encourage you to go out and drive, bike, or run portions of the course to get a feel for what it will be like. We can use all the colorful adjectives in the world to describe the courses, but nothing can compare to first-hand experience.
That said, here's a rough approximation of the course, based on biking it recently and having run most of it on various occassions.
Miles 0.00 - 3.75 are relatively flat. You'll get a good look at Shortoff Mountain to your right as you run up Old Hwy 105.
Miles 3.75 - 11.25 you've left the pavement on Old Hwy 105 and are in for a long, almost consistant climb of almost 2,000'. The average grade on this section is 5.0%. Views Shortoff, Table Rock, and the Linville Gorge.
Miles 11.25 - 13.00 you're treated to a drop of about four hundred feet.
Miles 13.00 - 16.50 is payback time for that descent as you gain 800', with a brief detour down to Wiseman's View Overlook, and reach the highest point on the 50-K course. Note that 50-K runners will not go all the way to mile 16.50 and will head directly back to the start/finish area after their turnaround. 50-milers should look across the Gorge at Table Rock Mountain because that's where you're headed.
Miles 16.50 - 20.00 give the 50-milers another long descent of almost 600' and put you back onto pavement at around mile 19.00 (Hwy 183.)
Miles 20.00 - 22.50 climb about 600', all on pavement, and turns off Highway 183 onto Dogwood Knob Road. Apparently, you really are running up a knob...
Miles 22.50 - 23.75 descend off Dogwood Knob and for a brief stretch, you're running on Highway 181. Please use extreme caution here. This can be a dangerous road--hopefully less so in December.
Miles 23.75 - 32.00 is a long, downhill (mostly) stretch that drops about 1,150'. You're back on the gravel and off of major roads, running through the Gingercake Acres subdivision and down Table Rock Mountain Road. The road may be rutted and washboarded, but a runner shouldn't have any issues.
Miles 32.00 - 35.00 is the toughest climb on the course with a gain of 900-1,000' and takes you to the top of Table Rock Mountain. It's also the only "technical" trail section of the course with the 1.25 mile trail from the parking lot to the top of Table Rock. Enjoy the view of the Gorge and the surroundings and catch your breath while you're up there. The hardest part is over!
Miles 35.00 - 43.50 include the 1.25 mile trail descent from Table Rock, followed by 7.25 miles more descent. All totaled, it's a drop of about 2,500' with about 5.25 miles of forest service road. At mile 42.25, you'll be back on pavement.
Miles 42.25 - 54.00 (did we say it was just 50 miles?) is paved and rolling with a slight net gain. You'll have views of Lake James and at some points, you'll have a great view of Shortoff Mountain. Unfortunately, it will be behind you. Hopefully, we can have a camera person stationed on that part of the course.
