The Black Mountain Monster lurks in the woods
Trail race tests the will of endurance runners
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 27, 2022
Hundreds of runners will descend on the trails of the In-the-Oaks estate, May 28, as the Black Mountain Monster returns for its 12th year. Photo by Fred McCormick
Every spring, the wooded trails that meander through the expansive grounds of the In-the-Oaks estate hide a menacing foe for the runners who accept the awaiting challenge. Some have fallen victim to the Black Mountain Monster, while others have emerged victorious.
When the annual race returns for its 12th year, at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 28, hundreds of runners will once again face a beastly test of endurance as they race against the clock for six, 12 or 24 hours.
The unique ultramarathon, which features a dynamic 3.25-mile course that combines open grassy trails, narrow single tracks and dirt roads in a scenic landscape, will host approximately 230 runners. Eighty-three entrants will compete in the 6-hour race, while 52 will run for 12 hours. Ninety-one daring athletes will push their limits on the trails for 24 hours.
Presented by Relentless Running Events, the Black Mountain Monster will bring participants, ranging in age from 18 to 70, from 13 states to the Black Mountain campus of Montreat College. The multi-day event, which features a ‘tent city’ and live music, has become a popular destination for runners seeking to test their endurance.
“I think it’s a combination of the course itself, and the setting in Black Mountain,” organizer Mike Guyer said of the growing interest in the race. “A lot of people who participate in it make an entire weekend trip out of it, just to visit the town. And the course itself is interesting enough that it keeps people engaged, even if they’re running 24 hours.”
Guyer was introduced to the Monster in 2014, when he was one of 38 runners to compete in the 24-hour race. Two years later, when the previous director approached him about taking over the ultramarathon, Guyer was eager to keep it going.
“I thought it was a really cool race the first time I ran it, so I definitely felt like it was something worth keeping,” he said of the Monster. “It’s like a family affair. My wife helps out, and our local running community and family and friends all pitch in to make this thing happen.”
Runners will start arriving at an open field, where they will set up camps in the southeast corner of the In-the-Oaks estate, on the evening of Friday, May 27. The ‘tent city’ surrounds the starting and finishing line of the course, which is maintained with the help of organizers and volunteers.
“We have two major work days every year, with one in the fall and another in the spring, right before the race,” Guyer said. “That’s when we get to the big stuff, like clearing out drainage ditches and cutting up trees that have fallen down. The biggest challenge is standing water on the trails, so we really focus on drainage.”
The course takes runners past the Terry Estate Manor House before showcasing multiple unique features on the historic property.
“It’s only three miles, but in that distance you get to see so many things,” Guyer said. “You can be in an old pine forest and 30 seconds later you’re running across the creek. Then, a few seconds after that, you’re running across a prairie. It’s a small space, but it’s a really diverse area.”
While a challenging run through the woods is an appealing characteristic of the race, the efforts of organizers and volunteers have played a significant role in building the Monster’s reputation.
“One of the reasons the race has consistently grown is because we really focus on making sure the runners’ needs are met,” Guyer said. “They could go somewhere else and run on trails, but the atmosphere, aid stations and marked trails aren’t going to match what we have going on here.”
Six runners from Black Mountain, and seven from Asheville, will compete in the 24-hour race, while dozens of local athletes are scheduled to participate in the six- and 12-hour runs. The top three finishers in each race will receive a wooden bear sculpture, carved by local chainsaw artist and Black Mountain Monster veteran Sam Moore.
Wooden bears, carved by local chainsaw sculptor Sam Moore, will be awarded to the top three finishers in each category of the Black Mountain Monster, which is returning, May 28, for its 12th year. Photo courtesy of Sam Moore
“We should have good weather this weekend, and that usually leads to some runners putting in big miles,” Guyer said.
The record of 114.95 miles was set for the 24-hour race by Rob Johnson in 2017, while Stacy McMurtrey set the women’s mark of 104 miles last year. All participants who reach 100 miles will receive a commemorative belt buckle.
“This is always a fun race, with a great mix of locals and people from out of town,” Guyer said. “It’s one that a lot of runners really look forward to.”