Wonderland Mountain Challenge Race Course

The Wonderland Mountain Challenge at ACE Adventure Resort May 26th features three different race options including a half marathon, 10K run, and 5 mile hike. These beautiful race routes will take you into the New River Gorge past scenic overlooks, cascading waterfalls, and abandoned coal towns. Folks who have participated in this run tell us it one of their favorites and return year after year while first timers are certain to fall in love with these West Virginia trails. Download the race map and get ready to run wild with us this Memorial Day weekend and let’s kickoff a great summer season!

Half Marathon, 10k run, and 5-mile hike

When the run kicks off at the Wonderland Waterpark where half marathoners and 10K runners will be following the same exact route while 5-mile hikers start off in a different direction to climb Wonderland Mountain. Everyone will face his or her biggest climb in the first mile of the race route as you gain about 400 feet in elevation. Once you make this initial climb expect the course to level out as you contour along the same elevation following the ridge line. Just past the second mile marker the 5-mile hikers will join the runners and racers will encounter the first water station on the course.

Overlook views on the race course

Leaving the first water station all runners will follow the Sunset Trail and begin their descent into the New River Gorge. This trail starts off relatively flat as you wrap around the point of the mountaintop. At the third mile marker you will begin loosing elevation as you drop halfway into the gorge. Once the course hits the Vulture’s Roost trail you will be treated to a phenomenal view of the forest as you run along the top of a 50 foot cliff, hints the name Vulture’s Roost. The next few miles of the course are hands down the most beautiful as you wind your way through the rhododendron thickets, beneath the zip line canopy tour, and along the cliff-line that defines the rim of the New River Gorge.

Historic ruins to see along the trail

Another water station will refresh you just before the four mile mark and you can sprint down the gravel road making your way toward Erskine Trail and some electrifying vistas into the New River Gorge. Keep your eyes peeled, as you will be running right past the old mine entrances to the Erskine coal mine that operated from 1890 – 1936. The trail again stays fairly flat as you follow the same elevation contour through the gorge and into the canyon of Arbuckle Creek at mile 5.

10K runners face the final push in their mountain challenge as they climb up Arbuckle Creek past waterfalls and tumbling whitewater. Once you hit the road it is only a short .25 mile sprint to the finish as half marathoners refuel at a water station before hitting Oather Trail back out toward the rim of the gorge at Concho Overlook. This overlook features a stunning 180-degree view of the New River Gorge and the town of Thurmond. Towering 1,000 feet above Thurmond the buildings resemble that of a toy train set.

Almost to the finish line

As you move away from the gorge you will gain about 200 feet of elevation up to Thurmond Mountain and follow the 3-mile, Thurmond Mountain Trail, around the mountain and through the beautiful mountain forest. Just before mile 11 the final water station will greet sweaty tired runners ready to push through the last 2 miles before hitting the finish line. Thoughts of burritos and cold beer will be dancing in your head as you dash past the aqua blue limestone pond, up Froghopper Trail, and past the cliffs in Aspen Cove. The last half-mile will have you sprinting along the mud obstacle course and back to the finish line at Wonderland Waterpark.

Medals, burritos, and free camping for all runners

Cool off by jumping into the lake, plunging down the slide, or blob your running partner sky high! All finishers will receive a 2018 Wonderland Mountain Challenge race medal, plus a free burrito buffet is provided for all runners along with cash prizes for the overall winners of the half marathon and 10K run. Stick around and have dinner, dance to live music at The Lost Paddle, and take advantage of the free Saturday night camping for all racers. Get signed up now and run wild with ACE Adventure Resort this Memorial Day weekend.