Mountains-to-Sea Trail 12M & 50K Challenge

Race date: APRIL 13, 2025

Join us for the 16th annual MST 12M & 50K Challenge! The race course will follow beautiful single track of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) as it winds through the woods around Falls Lake in Raleigh, NC.

You can expect that we will setup a well-marked course, well-stocked aid stations, accurate results, and a good time! We will do our best to make sure you enjoy your experience!

This is a trail race: very different than a road race. You will be exposed to many obstacles you would not normally see in a road race. The course is a single-track hiking trail, so there are roots, rocks, quick turns, logs, woodland critters, and possibly water to avoid. There are plenty of aid stations and volunteers on the course, but if it’s a hot day or if you think you need more fluids, we highly recommend carrying your own.

We ask that you do not run with your dog, run with an unregistered pacer, run with headphones, run with a jog stroller, and, of course, do not litter on the trail.

Questions?

Register & Volunteer

Race Date: SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025

Online registration is open!

Not planning to run?

PLEASE SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER! We need you! Thank you 🙂

Race Logistics

Parking & Start/Finish
Both the 12M and 50K will start and finish at Blue Jay Point County Park.
Both races will start in the large field across from the main “Go Ape” parking lot.
50K participants will park at Blue Jay Point County Park.
12M participants will park here and get shuttled to and from the race start/finish. Shuttle ride will take 6-8 minutes. There is not enough parking at Blue Jay Point County Park for all race participants.

Start Times
50K: 7:00am
12M: 8:30am

Aid Stations
Aid stations and crew access points will be located approximately every 3 miles on the course. Water, ROCTANE (GU electrolyte drink), GU energy gels, snacks, and basic first aid supplies will be available at all aid stations. Plenty of food and refreshments will be available at the finish. 50K aid stations will be stocked with snacks and fruit (i.e. pretzels, trail mix, candy, oranges, bananas).

Restrooms
Restrooms facilities and porta-jons are available at Blue Jay Point County Park (start/finish).
Additional restroom facilities are at the 50K turn-around at Falls Lake Dam.

Drop Bags
Drop bags will be issued to 50K runners only. Bring these to the race start. These bags will be available for 50K runners at the turn-around (@ Falls Lake Dam) and again at the finish area.
12M participants will be able to leave a bag at the finish line in a designated location.
No valuables, please!

Time Limits
The 50K race has an 8-hour time limit.
The 12M race has a 3.5 hour time limit.

Course Maps

MAP OF ALL RACE LOCATIONS

12M Strava Map
50K Strava Map

Course Notes:
– Both the 12M & 50K events will start and finish at Blue Jay Point County Park in Raleigh.
– 50K runners will park at Blue Jay Point County Park
– 12M participants will park at Barton’s Creek Boat Ramp and get shuttled to the race start and back to their vehicles.
– Both the 12M & 50K events are out-and-back on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST)
– The 12M turn-around point is Aid Station B – Possum Track Causeway
– The 50K turn-around is at Falls Lake Dam (lower parking lot)
– The race course is located within Segment 10 between mile markers 59 & 74.
– The majority of the MST is single track trail in the woods with the exception of causeways where the MST intersects or parallels road/pavement
– Follow white blazes the entire way! [50K runners: pay attention to additional flagging/directional signage near the turn-around at Falls Lake Dam]

Packet Pickup Details

Pre-Race Packet Pickup:
Saturday, April 12: 2:30-5:30pm @ Bull City Running – South Durham
**pre-race pickup is highly encouraged!

Race Day Packet Pickup
Sunday, April 13: 6:15am-8:30am @ Blue Jay Point County Park (Race Start)

Parking & Accommodations

Parking Directions for 12M & 50K Participants:

50K participants will park at Blue Jay Point County Park. This is the start area for both races.

12M participants will park nearby at Barton’s Creek Boat Ramp (12900 Six Forks Rd, Wake Forest, NC 27587) and be shuttled to the park. Shuttles will run between the parking area and the race start from 7:15-8:15am and from the race finish to the parking area from 10:15am-12:15pm.

PLEASE NOTE: The park opens at 6:00AM. Gates will be locked before this time. Please do not arrive before 6:00AM.
Restrooms are available inside the park.

COURSE MAP details all race locations.

Hotel Accommodations Near Race Start
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn Express

Camping Options
If you are interested in maximizing your outdoor experience, there are two camping locations in the Falls Lake Recreation Area: Shinleaf and Holly Point campgrounds. Please check the website for details and reservations!

Awards

Awards Categories:
A finishers award will be presented to all race finishers. In addition, the following awards will be given:

Top 3 Overall Finishers, M/F
Top Masters Finishers, M/F

Team Challenge:
If you have five others running, you can register as a team. No additional cost, just added fun. Team with the lowest combined score for all five finishers wins. Scoring: points will be scored for overall finish per gender – so if a male finishes 13th overall for men and female 10th for women the score would be 23. No awards, just bragging rights! Teams must be registered before race day.