*STRAVA VIRTUAL CHALLENGE*
A celebration of the reGENESIS of some of our favorite trails!
Just under 2 years ago, Hurricane Helene hit WNC, leaving immeasurable damage in its path. It has taken many hands and countless hours of work to repair and rebuild our communities and our trails.
Two of our favorite trails in the area were hit particularly hard and have only recently opened back up for use - Snook's Nose in Old Fort and the Profile Trail in Banner Elk.
To celebrate their reopening and the release of the new S/Lab Genesis 2, we have teamed up with Salomon to bring you The Ascent Event! This Strava Challenge takes you up both of these trails to some awesome overlooks, and participants who complete the challenge will be entered to win a free pair of Salomon S/Lab Genesis 2s!
Details and rules below. Fastest times and award winners will be announced on our socials and at our Salomon demo run on Thursday, September 17th at 6 AM!
Join our Strava club to participate - https://www.strava.com/clubs/798967
Rules:
- Participants must be members of the Mountain Running Company Strava club.
- For a run to be considered eligible:
- Activity MUST be done between August 11th and September 7th, 2026.
- Activity MUST be done on foot. No bike or other mode of transport is allowed.
- Activity MUST be posted within 24 hours of completion.
- Title of activity MUST include "#AscentEventMRC".
- To complete the challenge:
- Participants must complete both segments.
- Participants must send an email to contact@mountainrunningcompany.com by September 15th with the following information:
- Your fastest time on each segment, including date each was run
- MRC location where you'd like to pick up an award, if you win one.
Awards:
- Mountain Goat - The male and female with the fastest cumulative times on both segments. Prize: Salomon swag bag
- Best Overlook Picture - The best picture from the top of each overlook! Post them on Instagram, caption with #AscentEventMRC, and tag us (@mountainrunningcompany). We'll have a vote on IG for the favorites at the end of the challenge.
- Raffle Winner - All who complete the challenge will be entered into a raffle to win a pair of Salomon shoes. One lucky winner will be chosen on September 16th!
Strava Segments:
*Helpful Hint: "STAR" each segment on Strava to save them throughout the challenge.*
- Profile Trail to Calloway Peak - Banner Elk
- https://www.strava.com/segments/31016902
- Snook's Nose to Overlook - Old Fort
Disclaimer: This is a virtual challenge designed as a fun opportunity to get out and get active, with some friendly competition built in. In choosing to join, participants assume all risk associated with this challenge, including but not limited to: injuries, falls, extreme weather, and fluctuating trail conditions. Mountain Running Company is not liable for any injuries or otherwise resulting from participation in this challenge.