Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra
About this race
The Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra is one of North Carolina’s most iconic point-to-point trail races. Held each September, this epic endurance challenge connects Pilot Mountain State Park to Hanging Rock State Park, offering a truly unforgettable ultra-marathon experience. With race options including the 50 Mile Ultra, the 50K Ultra, and the 50 Mile Relay, athletes of all levels can take on the rugged beauty of the Sauratown Mountains. Known for its tough climbs, technical trails, and stunning scenery, PM2HR is a bucket-list race for trail runners and ultra-distance athletes.
The 50 Mile course features over 7,500 feet of elevation gain, while the 50K course delivers more than 4,000 feet of climbing—making this race as challenging as it is rewarding. The 50 Mile Relay allows teams to split the distance and share in the adventure together. Whether you’re racing solo or with friends, PM2HR will test your grit, your endurance, and your love for the trails.
Why Run the Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra?
- Scenic point-to-point course: Travel from the iconic knob of Pilot Mountain to the rocky cliffs and waterfalls of Hanging Rock State Park.
- Elevation that tests you: With over 7,500 feet of climbing in the 50 Mile and 4,000+ feet in the 50K, this ultra delivers a challenge worthy of your training.
- Relay option: Not ready for the full ultra? Grab your teammates and split the miles in the 50 Mile Relay.
- Ultra experience: A mix of singletrack, fire roads, and tough mountain terrain gives you everything an ultra should.
- Community spirit: Preview runs, virtual clinics, and on-course support create a welcoming environment for both first-time ultrarunners and seasoned veterans.
- Epic finish line: Celebrate with your hard-earned medal, memories, and trail glory.
Race Details
- Distances: 50 Mile Ultra, 50K Ultra, 50 Mile Relay
- Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
- Location: Pilot Mountain State Park to Hanging Rock State Park, North Carolina
- Elevation: 50 Mile – 7,500+ ft gain | 50K – 4,000+ ft gain
- Course terrain: Technical singletrack, rugged climbs, steep descents, and fire roads
Who Should Run PM2HR?
This race is ideal for:
- Trail runners seeking a challenging and scenic ultra in North Carolina
- Athletes looking for a point-to-point ultra with significant elevation gain
- Relay teams who want to share in a mountain adventure together
- Runners training for longer ultras who want a demanding 50K or 50M test
- Anyone who wants to experience both Pilot Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park in one epic race
Be part of the adventure
The Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra & Relay is more than a race—it’s a journey through two of North Carolina’s most beautiful state parks, a test of endurance, and a celebration of trail running community. Whether you’re in it for the challenge, the camaraderie, or the breathtaking scenery, PM2HR delivers an experience you’ll never forget.
Pick your distance
Trail running
50 Miler
50 K
Running
50 Mile Relay
Teams of 2, 3, or 4 runners.
Virtual 50 Mile
Virtual 50K
Typical race-day weather
Based on 11 years of Open-Meteo archive data for this event's race dates in Danbury, plus the 3 days either side.
The sun rises at 7:06 AM and sets at 7:22 PM local time (EDT) in Danbury on September 19, 2026 — 12h 15m of daylight.
Course
No course map published yet.
The organizer hasn't released a route for this event, and we don't publish guesses. If you're the organizer, send us a GPX file and we'll draw the profile.
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2026 results — Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra
309 finishers across 5 distances · leading places in the 50 Miler
| Place | Name | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeff McAtamney | 10:28:28 | 12:34 /mi |
| 2 | Josh Falk | 10:44:58 | 12:54 /mi |
| 3 | Stephanie Read | 10:56:06 | 13:07 /mi |
| 4 | Sam Bryant | 11:20:45 | 13:37 /mi |
| 5 | Marcus Curran | 11:27:55 | 13:45 /mi |
Every finisher is on the results page, filterable by distance, gender and age group.
All results by year
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Where this page comes from. Race details were last updated on . We re-check listings regularly and again in the week before race day.
- Entries, prices, waves and inclusions — the event's official registration page
- Temperature and humidity — Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0)
- Elevation and terrain relief — Copernicus DEM GLO-90, ESA (CC BY 4.0)
- Comparisons and counts — Race Discovery calendar, 2 Danbury events
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