The Ascent Red River Gorge 5K & 10K Trail Races
About this race
Are you up for a hilly trail challenge in the RRG? We have you covered with our Ascent 5K and brand new 10K distance for 2026!
Join us for The Ascent 5K & 10K on Saturday, June 27th at 8:00am for a race you'll never forget.
You'll run/walk/hike your 5K or 10K on private property which is not open to the public. Our race starts and finishes at the Natural Bridge Campground, just off the Slade exit in Red River Gorge country. The race is presented by the Rugged Red Race & Adventure Series. You'll only run/walk/hike a few miles to see some spectacular views and arches. But come prepared for some serious trail climbs with an unbelievable payoff.
RACE FEATURES:
- Spectacular courses on private property at the Red River Gorge
- Commemorative poly/cotton T-shirts (while supplies last)
- Finishers medals for both races!
- Special pricing ($20) and swag item for participants ages 12-18
- Convenient race day packet pickup from 6:30-7:45am at the Natural Bridge Campground (pavilion)
- Awards for Top 3 M/F Overall finishers in both races
- Free race photos
- Food, fun, music and fellowship to celebrate your finish
PACKET PICKUP - Our packet pickup will be held on Friday, 6/26/26) from 3:00-6:00pm at the Natural Bridge Campground (pavilion). The GPS address for the campground is 90 L&E Railroad Place, Slade, KY 40376. There will also be LAST CHANCE PPU on race morning from 6:30-7:45am at the same campground pavilion.
HYDRATION - Our race is cupless in 2026. We encourage you to bring some type of water bottle or hydration system. We'll have water available at the start (prerace) and in orange coolers at several locations along the course where you can refill.
REGISTRATION - Online registration will remain open until Friday, June 26th at 12 midnight. There will be no race day registration. We are ordering extra shirts which first come first serve.
TIME LIMIT - We are providing a 4-hour time limit to complete either the 5K or 10K. For the 10K that means keeping a pace of 38 min/mile. If you don't think you can keep pace then please sign up for the 5K where you'll have plenty of time to hike, relax and take in the views.
NEED ACCOMODATIONS FOR THE RACE? Check out all the options at www.TheGorge.com
ROUTE MAPS - Coming Soon!
Pick your distance
Trail running
5K
Trail 5K (3.1 miles) with a 4-hour hour time limit. Awards presented for Top 3 M/F Overall. Minimum age - 12 years old
10K
Trail 5K (3.1 miles) with a 4-hour hour time limit. Awards presented for Top 3 M/F Overall. Minimum age - 12 years old
Running
Virtual Runner/Walker
Participate virtually and run/walk/hike your Ascent 5K or 10K from your own local trail. For your $50 donation you'll receive a commemorative T-shirt and finisher's medal.
Typical race-day weather
Based on 5 years of historical conditions on this event's race dates in Slade.
Course
Route map and elevation profile
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.
Reviews
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Other races near Slade
Different organizers, within 40 miles, in the next three months
The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon
The Red Monster
J.J. the Jet Plane Foundation 5K Color Run/Walk for Pediatric Cancer
Montgomery County All Paws 3K
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, 4 Slade events
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