You are here:
Hellbender 100
Race Details:
- Location: Old Fort, NC, USA
- Race Date: 05/07/2027
- Race Distances: 100 Mile, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: No
Hellbender 100 Description
The Hellbender 100 is one of the toughest 100-milers on the East Coast, climbing from Camp Grier in Old Fort, North Carolina up into the Black Mountains and to the summit of Graybeard Mountain with sweeping views of Mt. Mitchell, the highest peak east of the Mississippi. With roughly 20,000 feet of climbing and descending apiece over rugged singletrack, gravel, and a stretch of closed greenway, this Hardrock 100 and Western States 100 qualifier rewards runners who can handle relentless vertical change and technical Appalachian trail.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
Share This Race
Shop This Race
Handpicked for runners toeing this line.
Hellbender 100 Additional Details:
Entry requires a qualifying finish: a 100K with at least 10,000 feet of gain, a prior 100-miler, or the Mount Mitchell Heartbreaker 50, plus a minimum of 8 volunteer hours logged in the year before race day. The race is cupless, so runners carry their own reusable cup at all ten aid stations and six additional self-serve water stops. Mandatory gear includes a headlamp, backup light, weatherproof jacket, emergency bivy, and a GPS unit issued by the race, with checks enforced at the start and periodically on course. Every finisher earns a custom Hellbender belt buckle, and sub-24-hour finishers receive a hand-painted wood cut from a past champion. The current route, nicknamed “Hellenebender 2,” was rebuilt after Hurricane Helene closed sections of the original course in 2024.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Multiple Loops
Surface: Road/Pavement, Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 40 hr
# of Finishers
100 Mile: 175 finishers (2026)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 20,000+ ft
Elevation Loss: 20,000+ ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 53°F
- High: 75°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Plans for every ultra distance, from your first one to your longest day yet.
Things to Do in Old Fort, NC, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
We're still building out our local guide for this city — check back soon!
Hotels & Lodging Near the Hellbender 100
Compare nearby hotels and book your Hellbender 100 race-weekend stay in seconds.
Sunrise Running Company may earn a commission if you book through the map below, at no extra cost to you.
Featured Race
A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes