Battling a behemoth on the trails

Black Mountain Monster keeps runners up all night

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 2, 2024

An ultramarathon pushing runners through the night, along a winding 3.25-mile course through the In-the-Oaks Estate, returned, June 1 and 2, as the Black Mountain Monster hosted more than 220 athletes.

The race, which featured runners competing for six, 12 or 24 hours, concluded with eight participants eclipsing the 100-mile mark.

Competitors camped in Pulliam Stadium in Black Mountain, where 223 runners started the race at 10 a.m., Saturday morning. Forty-eight participated in the six-hour run, 77 in the 12-hour event and 98 ran for 24 hours.

Brian Beal, of Lincolnton, led all runners with 113.75 miles, completing 35 laps around the course to post the third-highest mileage total in the 16-year history of the race Mary Roberson, of Acworth, Georgia, finished second with 104 miles, while six athletes tallied 100.75 miles. Aaron Osborne, or Leland, earned third place by finishing his 31st lap in 23:08:19.

John Ruemker, of Bahama, N.C., was the top finisher in the 12-hour competition, hitting the 61.75-mile mark in 11:31:49. Andrew Snow, of Asheville, ran the same distance in 11:48:22, claiming second. Mark Gallagher, of Asheville, finished third by completing his 19th lap in 11:50:53.

The six-hour competition was paced by Eddie Posey, of Easley, S.C., who completed 12 laps for a total of 39 miles. Second-place finisher Jon Conner, of Candler, ran 35.75 miles in 5:45:20, followed by Shelby Johnson, of Whispering Pines, completed 11 laps in 5:55:16.

Organized by Relentless Running Events, the Black Mountain Monster featured athletes from approximately 15 states. The festival-like event has been held in Black Mountain since 2008.

Photos of the 2024 Black Mountain Monster can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.