Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival

The Old Fort Strong Endurance Festival is 3/6/12hr trail run and mountain bike ride on the trails that encompass Camp Grier and the Gateway Trail System, right in the backyard of Old Fort, NC.  The weekend will have a festival atmosphere with multiple vendors, live music, and special guest speakers across the trail running and mountain bike world.  Full schedule will be sent out soon.

The goal of this event is to raise awareness and funding for the Old Fort Strong Fund, which aims to put money directly into the hands of Old Fort residents and businesses as they rebuild their homes and repair their businesses affected by Hurricane Helene.  Over 50 homes in Old Fort were either damaged or completely destroyed.  Our goal is to raise a minimum of 2 million in donations for this fund to help provide relief, rebuild homes and support local businesses that have suffered in Old Fort.  With last year's event and from other private donations, we are still about $500,000 short from that goal.  So far, over $1.1 million has already been distributed to families in Old Fort affected by the storm.  These payments have provided mortgage relief, new cars, mold remediation, and down payments on new homes across over 100 families.  The work so far has been incredible, but there is still so much need for our community and we cannot thank you enough for your help.

The race is open to 450 spots (225 runners/225 riders).  There will be separate loops, roughly 3.5 miles for runners and 8 miles for mountain bikers with a common start/finish area.  

Runners and riders who sign up also agree to become a fundraiser and seek out donations from their networks.  As soon as you register, an individual fundraiser page will be created for you in runsignup that you can share within your network to seek out donations.  Each participant's goal is to raise $1,000 minimum for the fund.  We know this is big goal, but as endurance athletes, community and trails are what really bring us together! Let us show how strong that community really is and help rebuild homes in Old Fort, NC!  

Prizes packages from our sponsors will be given to those who go above and beyond the minimum fundraising amount.  There will be a prize package given out for those raising $5,000+ prize and $10,000+.  

Weekend Schedule

December 5th, 2025

2:00pm - check-in begins, spectator shuttles begin
2:00pm - live music, vendors open
7:00pm - checkin and vendors close

Demember 6th, 2025

7:00am - vendors open
8:00am - race checkin begins
9:00am - spectator shuttles begin
9:30am - 3/6/12 hour run/ride begins​​
12:30pm - 3 hr ends
3:30pm - 6 hr ends
9:30pm - 12 hour ends

Swag, Awards, Raffle
All participants in all distances receive a high quality branded race t-shirt, race sticker, plus other items from our sponsors.

First place M/F in all timed events receives a hand-crafted award and swag from our sponsor.​

​All participants who register will automatically be added to the race the raffle, which will include multiple big ticket items from our sponsors! Extra tickets for the raffle can be purchased during registration or afterwards on the store page on runsignup.  Raffle tickets are $25 each and you can purchase as many as you want to increase your chances of winning.  All funds raised from the raffle go to the Old Fort Strong Fund.

Packet Pickup

We encourage all participants to join us Friday, Dec 5th to pickup your packet early, socialize with fellow athletes, support our vendors, and enjoy live music under Beech Pavilion.  Packet pickup will run from 2pm-7pm on Friday.  Checkin on race morning is available as well and will start at 8:00am.  

Extra Information

Parking for the event will be held in the upper fields of Camp Grier.  Please carpool as parking is limited.  4 persons per car is highly encouraged.  Spectator shuttle/festival shuttles for those not running will run each day from a TBD location in Old Fort both Friday and Saturday.

Aid Stations​

There will be one aid station near the start finish line and tent village near Camp Grier Lake.  Basic race food options will be available and some heavier items during meal time hours will be prepared.  
Crews will be able to setup in the tent village area in the fields between the lake and pool adjacent to the start/finish area to support their runners.  Crews are limited to one 10x10 tent area.  
Pacers are allowed starting at 3:30pm Saturday for 12 hour run participants only.  
Spectators are encouraged as we want this event to be a huge trail party.  Vendors will be open throughout the weekend in main camp.  

Race Rules

Stay on marked trails, DO NOT CUT SWITCHBACKS!
Must cross the finish line after completing each lap
Use proper trail etiquette when passing other participants
Be courteous to other trails users 
No littering
Obey any race official's request
If dropping from race, you must inform a race official that you are dropping from the race
Pacers can start at 6pm on Saturday. 
Pacers cannot mule for their runner.
​Crews must stay within the defined crew zone.

Lodging at Camp Grier

Camp Grier can offer lodging from private cabins, bunk beds, and primitive camping.  You can register for lodging options during checkout on RunSignup or separately here.