Cradle to the Grave 30k Race Info

Date: Saturday, May 18
6:30am - Check in / registration opens
8:00am - Race begins in front of Forest Discovery Center
11:30am to 4:00pm - After race lunch and beverage(provided), 30K race awards, and live music

*Cradle to Grave 30k participants will receive a technical t-shirt containing Columbia Sportswear’s new Omni-Freeze® ZERO cooling technology, which uses blue rings to capitalize on sweat and lower the temperature of the material*

Please Note: 30K participants will need to park at the Pink Beds Parking Area just past the Cradle of Forestry entrance. Follow the signs. Please carpool!!

Come enjoy 18.6 miles of trail running in the birthplace of modern forestry! The Cradle to Grave 30k starts and finishes at the Cradle of Forestry, located just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway near Sliding Rock. You will run out the lush Pink Beds trail past fields of wildflowers and beaver ponds, cross creeks on bridges and rocks, move along forest service roads in the heart of Pisgah National Forest, and climb up to one of the most unvisited and spectacular views of pristine forest land available. The return trip will utilize several different trails, each with their own unique topography, beauty, and characteristics. After race lunch and entertainment will be provided. Become a part of history by celebrating trails and running at this inaugural event.

Course Map - Just added!

Course Description Below

Race will start at the front door of the Forest Discovery Center, continue around the Forest Festival Trail (past the old logging train) and then enter the Pink Beds picnic area.  From there runners will take the left side Pink Beds Loop Trail (118) then Pink Beds Connector (118A). Aid Station #1 Runners will then take a left on Forest Service Road (FS 476) and a right on Yellow Gap (FS 1206) Aid Station #2.  The race will follow Yellow Gap Road to Left on Pilot Cove-Slate Rock (320) Aid Station #3. From there runners will follow right (320A) Pilot Cove loop.  This will be the longest climb of the run, the view at the end is worth it! After taking in the view runners will continue left around the loop on (320) to Aid Station #4 and retrace their steps by taking a right on Yellow Gap Rd (FS1206) to the left on (FS476) Aid Station #5.  Runners will return to the Pink Beds via (118A) Aid Station #6 then follow the opposite side of the Pink Bed Loop trail (118) through the Southern Appalachian Bog utilizing the newly constructed boardwalk.  Return to the Cradle of Forestry to finish at the Amphitheater and celebrate with awards, food, drinks and music.

 

 

This is trail running at its finest!

 

 

 

30k Elevation Profile
Minimum Elevation 3113 ft
Maximum Elevation 3954 ft

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information please e-mail: [email protected] , or call

Ellen Seagle, Race Director, 828-674-6087

Devin Gentry, CFAIA Representative, 828-884-5713 x221

Carlton Murrey, CFAIA Representative, 828-884-5713 x214