URE Marathon
Come join us on March 08, 2025 at 8:00am to kick off our 2025 season! URE is a free, FA style marathon! If you are looking for a race with loads of swag to justify your cool accomplishments, this probably isn't your race.
However, if you are looking for a 99.999% single track race, over some gnarly trails with some good people, this might just be what you are looking for.
2024 Race Results
2023 Race Results
2022 Race Results
2021 Race Results
2020 Race Results
2019 Race Results
2018 Race Results
2017 Race Results
Location/Start time
The race starts at 8:00am on Saturday, March 08, 2025 at the Wood Run Trail Head located off of HWY 24/27 west of Troy. Packet pickup will begin at 6:00am.
GPS Coordinates: 35.310293, - 80.043726
Parking is limited at the start/finish so we highly encourage runners to car pool if at all possible.
There will be a limited amount of portable toilets at the Start/Finish. Runners can access these before the start, and at the finish. There are no other bathrooms on the course. Please plan accordingly.
*** Packet pickup begins at 6:00am and there will be a short race briefing starting at 7:45am ***
*** Race has a 10 hour Cutoff (6:00pm) ***
Race details
The 26.2-ish course is nearly 100% single track!
Starting at the trailhead at 24/27, runners will follow the Dutchman’s Creek Trail (Yellow Blazes) for ~ 5.7 miles, before coming to the first aid station known as “Crossroads”. They will then continue ~ 5.0 miles (10.7 miles total race distance) to the intersection of Dutchman’s and Uwharrie trails.
At this intersection (marked) take a HARD LEFT on to Uwharrie Trail (White blazes) and continue through Kelly’s Kitchen Aid Station about .5 further (total race distance 11.2 miles). Runners will PASS THROUGH Kelly’s Kitchen and cross Dusty Level Road, and continue on Uwharrie Trail until it meets Highway 109 (this will be an out and back section with a marked turn around).
Once runners reach the marked turnaround, they will then run south on Uwharrie until they cross Dusty Level again, pass through Kelly’s Kitchen again ~ mile 17.8 race distance, and then will stay on Uwharrie (White Blazes) for the remainder of the race. Runner’s will reach their last aid station (Crossroads inbound at mile ~ 20.7) before continuing the last 5.5 miles before reaching reaching the Start/Finish area at the 24/27 Trailhead.
Course has ~4,600 ft of Elevation Gain with a similar amount of Descent.
*** WARNING ***
The trail is extremely challenging and is in a remote area. It is filled with roots and rocks and there is little to no flat ground. There are several stream crossings throughout the course. Some can be rock hopped but if the stream levels are high, you could be running with wet feet a decent amount of time. The bottom line is that you need to be prepared for a difficult race!
Crew and spectators
Crew and spectators can see their runners at two locations on the course. These include at the Start/Finish Aid Station and at Kelly's Kitchen.
The Start/Finish is located off of HWY 24/27. A Google Maps link to this location can be found here.
Runners pass by Kelly's Kitchen at mile 11.2 and 17.8. Kelly's Kitchen is located off of Dusty Level Road just west of Yates Place Camp. A Google Maps link to this location can be found here.
registration
Registration for the URE Marathon opens on November 1, annually on UltraSignup.
There are no fees associated with registering, however, to help offset the cost of putting this race on, we request that you bring some sort of aid station food or beverage. Some suggestions include fruit, canned potatoes, chips, cookies, candy, soda, and most importantly homemade baked goods :) Once the race starts, we'll evenly disperse the donated items to our various aid stations.
VOLUNTEER SIGNUP
This race would not be possible if not for the awesome help from volunteers! If you are not running and still want to be part of the race, think about volunteering. Not only will you be doing an awesome deed, you'll also be able to draw some inspiration watching the runners push themselves to their limits and know that you played a large part in their finish. Volunteer Signup will become available on UltraSignup.