Ironmaster's Challenge

Our 20-mile course follows the first 19.7miles of the 50K, scrambling over sandstone boulders, cruising through woodland savannah, and flowing along rhododendron-lined creeksides. We will guide you (via fantastic course marking) through this fantastic section of the Michaux using primarily single-track trail interspersed with occasional grassy double-track (and less than 2.5 miles total of gravel or asphalt road). Three kick-butt aid stations will be distributed along the way to keep you feeling zippy and encouraged. A truly fantastic way to spend an autumn morning!

course and Aid Station info

20 Mile Course Map

Click the pic to explore the interactive 20 Mile course map.

Race/Pace Planning

20 Mile Course Map

Click the pic to check out and download our 20 Mile aid station planner.

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Click the pic to educate yourself on our cutoff policy and plan ahead!

Available Nutrition

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Whatcha gonna EAT??? Click the pic to get a list of the available aid station grub.

Aid Station planning

Plan Ahead

Download this handy table below and make it a part of your kit to help you stay on track on race day! The time limit on the 20 Mile course is INCREDIBLY generous this year (may change for next year....), so there are no SOFT cut-offs. Aid Station 4 is NOT guaranteed to 20 Mile runners (you are only 1/2 mile from the finish, so really folks, you shouldn't be stopping there!). Aid Station 4 will be closing after the last 50K runner comes in, but if you get there before then, we won't flat-out refuse to feed you (but we will STRONGLY encourage you to go away and just get this crap done).

Please note, the 20 Mile folks do NOT have a Drop Bag or Crew option. DO NOT allow your people to meet you anywhere on the course. You will risk getting disqualified.

Cut-Off Policy

Soft Cut-offs

If any runner reaches the aid station before or at this cut-off time, they may continue on. Any runner reaching the aid station after the soft cut-off time MAY be given the option to continue, based on the judgement of the aid station captain. The aid station captain will make this judgement based on the condition of the runner, how close to the soft cut-off time the person has arrived, and how close or far from the aid station closing time it is.

Hard Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

If any runner reaches the aid station before or at this cut-off time, they may continue on. Any runner reaching the aid station AFTER the hard cut-off time will be pulled from the course, no exceptions. In this case, the participant must turn in their bib to the aid station captain. The aid station personnel may offer this person(s) a ride back to HQ or the Race Director may send a volunteer out to retrieve this person. This person will be very strongly discouraged from “finding their way back on their own”. We will assume no liability for this individual if they adamantly refuse to be transported back to HQ.

20 Mile

8:45 am Pre-race Meeting & 9:00 am Race Start

course and Aid Station info

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

Race/Pace Planning

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Available Nutrition

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

20 Mile course map

Aid Station planning

Plan Ahead

Cut-Off Policy

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Hard Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Aid station nutrition

20 Mile

8:45 am Pre-race Meeting & 9:00 am Race Start

course and Aid Station info

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

Race/Pace Planning

20 Mile Course Map

20 Mile Course Map

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Available Nutrition

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

Soft & Hard Cutoff Times

20 Mile course map

Aid Station planning

Plan Ahead

Cut-Off Policy

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Hard Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Soft Cut-offs

Aid station nutrition

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