Mt. Ashland Hill Climb

Registration opens Jan 1st!

Get your vert on
Don't miss out on the fun and run/walk/skip/bike a half marathon+ with over a mile of vert!

Run in the footsteps of some big name racers such as: Stephanie Howe, Hal Koerner, Erik Skaggs, Camelia Mayfield (W's course record holder in 2:07:00), Timothy Olsen, Max King (course record holder in 1:41:50), Karl Meltzer, Ian Torrence, Jenn Shelton, Cole Watson, and many more. Seeing the elites blaze by is fun, but we want to emphasize that this event is for EVERYONE. Challenge yourself and hike to the top! The cutoff times are pretty liberal, so hikers can make the trek as long as they keep moving. Race fees include a race shirt. Lunch is optional as an add on.

Please arrange your own ride down (or run back down - free beer at Skout on me - tell them that you just ran up and down Mt A). We are also encouraging youth athletes to join the fun by reducing registration costs (50% off for racers under 18).

Please sign up for this race as soon as possible so that we can do a better job organizing and so we can provide you with a better experience. We have to order shirts a month in advance and guessing the sizes is always tricky. If we have to cancel the race for any reason, you'll be able to roll your registration over to next year, but we will not offer refunds as we still need to cover costs for insurance, shirts, shuttles, permits, etc. This is a community building event with funds going towards a great cause, please think of it as a donation.  

I'll be using the IG page (@mta_hill_climb) to keep you updated on conditions and keeping you stoked for the race.
The FB page (https://www.facebook.com/mtashlandhillclimbrun) is more for folks to connect and have discussions for carpools, training runs, etc.

Registration:
  • Sign up on ultrasignup (30$ youth/ 60$ adult) - same fee for mtn bikers
  • One month before - Fee increase to (40$ youth/80$ adult). This also when we'll order shirts... we'll order some extra, but can't guarantee sizes after this.​

General Info:
​The Mt Ashland Hill Climb has the second most vert (behind Pikes Peak) of any continuous hill climb in the continental United States. The run starts off on  pavement followed by a long section of fire road up a shaded mountain side ending with a steep single-track trail to the summit. 

Results from previous years - see Ultrasignup 
Pictures from 2023, 2024


Race packet pick up:
  • 4-6 pm on Fri the day before the race at Rogue Valley Runners (161 E. Main St) in downtown Ashland - highly encouraged
  • 6:30 am - Day of race at Skout, only for folks who absolutely can't make the day before.  

Race Day Schedule:
  • 6:30 am - Hiker start/Day of packet pick up in front of Skout
  • 7 am - Have your drop bags labelled and dropped off.  Start warming up! 
  • 7:20 am - racer talk
  • 7:25 am - Mountain bikers start
  • 7:30 am - The race begins in front of Skout Taphouse at the start of Lithia Park. Parking can be a bit tricky, so be sure to show up a bit early or ideally get dropped off so you can get to the start area on time.  
  • 9:10 am - First finisher at Course Record time
    • We'll be doing on-going awards as racers come in.  Once we figure out the top 3 in each category and give them time to eat and recover, we'll take pics and have awards.
  • 11 am - first awards 
  • 12:30 pm - second awards & raffle
  • 1 pm - cutoff at the lodge (5.5 hrs)

Aid Stations (will all be supplied with water, electrolytes, gels, blocks, snacks, and fruit) :
  • Start (elev 1900') - 7:30 am 
  • 1 - White Rabbit - 3.7 mi in/9.9 mi left
    • elev 3200' (1300 ft gained/4300 ft remaining)
    • 1:50 pace - 25 min
    • 2:30 pace - 30 min
    • 3hr pace - 40 min
  • 2 - 4 Corners - 6.5 mi in/7.1 left
    • elev 4400' (2500 ft gained/3100 ft remaining)
    • 10 am cutoff
    • 1:50 pace - 45 min
    • 2:30 pace - 60 min
    • 3hr pace - 70 min
  • 3 - Bull Gap - 10.3 mi in/3.3 left
    • elev 5500' (3600 ft gained/2000 ft remaining)
    • 1:50 pace - 75 min
    • 2:30 pace - 100 min
    • 3hr pace - 115 min
  • 3.5 - Bull Gap & Mt A Access Rd (bikers only)
    • Will just be water, no snacks or electrolytes
  • 4 - Mt A Lodge - 12.7 mi in, 0.9 mi left 
    • elev 6600' (4700 ft gained/900 ft remaining)
    • 1 pm cutoff
    • 1:50 pace - 95 min
    • 2:30 pace - 125 min
    • 3hr pace - 150 min
  • Finish - 13.5 (7500')
    • Just water

Drop Bags:
  • Keep it small! Should just be a change of clothes + some warm layers.  
  • We'll have access to the lodge, so you won't be exposed to the elements as could be colder 5k ft higher.
  • Be sure to tape your bib number on the bag.  We'll try to lay it out according to bib number.
  • Don't put any valuables in there as we can't watch your bag the whole time.  
​
Running Course Description:
The course starts in Lithia Park, in front of Skout Taphouse (See map below for location, elevation 1905 ft). ​From downtown you will run/hike over 13 miles, climbing a mile in elevation to the summit of Mt. Ashland. Along the way, you will pass 4 aid stations that will be well stocked.
  • Section 1 - Start to White Rabbit - (3.7 mi, 1300') You'll start on paved road adjacent to Lithia Park.  As you keep gently climbing, you'll move onto fire roads. Keep the park on your left after you pass the lower reservoir and continue on Glenview Drive (DO NOT continue on Horn Creek Rd).  Then turn up Ashland Loop Road.  Keep running past Terrace St where the road is paved once again. Keep going past Morton St where the road will turn into dirt once again. The first aid station will come quick at White Rabbit Trailhead (3.7 mi, elevation 3180 ft) and many of you won't even need any fuel or hydration yet.
  • Section 2 - White Rabbit TH to Four Corners TH (2.8 mi, 1200') After fueling up, keep climbing the fire road past the yellow gate ignoring all the single-track trails on either side.  You'll continue past Lamb Saddle where it steepens up a bit and continue up to the second aid station at 4 corners (6.5 mi, elevation 4375 ft). You'll get your first view of Mt A here.  
  • Section 3 - Four Corners TH to Lower Bull Gap TH (3.8 mi, 1100') Exiting the Four Corners Aid Station, make sure to keep going straight (and UP).  This starts off with a steeper hill and you'll pass several single track trails on your left.  Stay on the fire road.  At this point, if you are ever in doubt, take the trail to your right.  It should be quite obvious as this is a fire road that is 2x the size of the other trails.  A few miles into this section, there is a nice flat section where you can actually run fast.  Carry that speed into the third aid station at Bull Gap (10.3 mi, 5500 ft).  There are some good views of your destination in this section.  
  • Section 4 - Lower Bull Gap TH to Mt A Lodge (2.3 mi, 1100') From Lower Bull Gap TH the route makes one big switch back.  This section becomes quite narrow and the trail becomes rockier.  Once you get to the top of the switchback the trail widens back up and becomes smoother. Pass the sewage plant, and you'll soon have a nice view of the lodge.  After 12.6 miles, you'll pass the final aid station at the Mt Ashland Ski Lodge (elevation 6590 ft).
  • Section 5 - Mt A Lodge to Summit (1 mi, 1000') We saved the best section for last, as you'll take a single-track trail across the ski area and up to the summit (7533 ft) so you can get a up close and personal look at the giant soccer ball (the radome!) This last section is less than a mile but will gain close to a 1000 ft.  Easily the steepest section of the race.  Families/participants are encouraged to walk this section with your runner.  This is a beautiful section of the course with lots of vistas.  
  • After you finish, make your way back down the trail to the lodge (staying out of the way of the racers), pick up your drop bag, grab some snacks, a beer (thanks to Common Block!), and cheer on your fellow racers as they come through.  You can walk down the backside for a mellower option, but note that this is 2 miles longer. Coming down the summit trail takes 15 min vs 45 min down the backside.  Please check in with folks at the Mt A lodge aid station afterwards to see your results and to make sure we have you recorded.  We'll have plenty of food/snacks and plan on hanging out until the awards or start your run back into town!  

Mountain Bike Course Description:
The course starts in Lithia Park, in front of Skout Taphouse (See map below for location, elevation 1905 ft). ​From downtown you will run/hike over 13 miles, climbing a mile in elevation to the summit of Mt. Ashland. Along the way, you will pass 4 aid stations that will be well stocked.
  • Section 1 - Start to White Rabbit - (3.7 mi, 1300') You'll start on paved road adjacent to Lithia Park.  As you keep gently climbing, you'll move onto fire roads. Keep the park on your left after you pass the lower reservoir and continue on Glenview Drive (DO NOT continue on Horn Creek Rd).  Then turn up Ashland Loop Road.  Keep running past Terrace St where the road is paved once again. Keep going past Morton St where the road will turn into dirt once again. The first aid station will come quick at White Rabbit Trailhead (3.7 mi, elevation 3180 ft) and many of you won't even need any fuel or hydration yet.
  • Section 2 - White Rabbit TH to Four Corners TH (2.8 mi, 1200') After fueling up, keep climbing the fire road past the yellow gate ignoring all the single-track trails on either side.  You'll continue past Lamb Saddle where it steepens up a bit and continue up to the second aid station at 4 corners (6.5 mi, elevation 4375 ft). You'll get your first view of Mt A here.  
  • Section 3 - Four Corners TH to Lower Bull Gap TH (6.2 mi, 1100') From the Four Corners Aid Station, you'll split off from the runners here.  Instead of going straight, you'll turn left and ride a flat fire road towards Rd 2080 for one mile.  You'll make a sharp right turn onto Rd 2080 where you'll start climbing again on a fire road.  You'll pass a few singletrack trails (eastview, corp camp), but stay on the fire road all the way up to Bull Gap Aid Station. 
  • Section 4 - Lower Bull Gap TH to Mt A Lodge (5.3 mi, 1100') At the Bull Gap Aid Station, you may encounter the runners, but you'll make another left here and separate from the runners again. This will take you towards the Mt Ashland access road and is another flatter section that averages 3.2% for 3.3 miles.  Stay right at any turns, you won't see too many, when you cross the Pacific Crest Trail, you'll be less than 1/2 a mile to the pavement.  There'll be another smaller aid station here at the start of the pavement.  You may want to stop here as the Mt Ashland Lodge Aid Station is going to be a bit out of the way for the bikers.  Take the pavement (this is an open course, so be aware of cars!) up past Devil's Elbow to the Mt Ashland Ski Area parking lot (elevation 6590 ft).
  • Section 5 - Mt A Lodge to Summit (2.8 mi, 1000') Keep going past the lodge on the pavement to the back lot, and past the gate onto Forest Rd 20.  You'll get off the pavement here and back onto a fire road.  The first mile is flat and decent, then you'll turn off onto Forest Rd 2000-300 where the grade steps up and the road deteriorates in quality.  Keep riding up past Rabbit Ears, past the top of Aerial Chair to the Radome (the giant soccer ball).  Just remember to stay right at every option as you'll circle around the backside of Mt Ashland to the finish line at 7533 ft.  
  • After you finish, make your way back down the way you came down to the lodge (please go slow and stay out of the way of the racers heading up), pick up your drop bag, grab some snacks, a beer (thanks to Common Block!), and cheer on your fellow racers as they come through.  Please check in with folks at the Mt A lodge aid station afterwards to see your results and to make sure we have you recorded as finished.  We'll have plenty of food/snacks and plan on hanging out until the awards.  Then ride down the trails back to town!  

Hiker/Rec Biker Start
Hikers/Rec bikers can get an early start to the event and can start up to an hour early.  This way, you'll finish an hour earlier and you'll have more time to enjoy the festivities at the top.  You'll also get to see the fastest runners zoom by.  Some notes for the hikers:
  • This will be an open course.  Meaning there will be cars, hikers, cyclists, on course.  Please use your best judgement and stay on the side of the roads. 
  • After 7:45 am, please stay to the side of the road so that the lead runners/cyclists can pass.  If you are in a group, please do not walk shoulder to shoulder and obstruct the road for other racers.  
  • You are free to run, sprint, jog... go as fast as you want.  This group just gets an hour head start to reach the top so they can enjoy the festivities.  
  • The first aid station at White Rabbit may not be ready.  Please be self sufficient and carry a snack and water.  By the time you make it to 4 corners, that aid station should be set up and ready to help. 
  • This is a non-competitive group. Your times will not be eligible for podiums/awards.  




AWTA's page with a map and description. 
Google Map of the route
​
You can see both routes overlayed if you click on "Show All" on the bottom right.
Below is a course with the mile markers and aid stations.  ​