💫PRESENTING SPONSOR
We welcome our Presenting Sponsor for the 2026 Cherokee Ultra:
⛰️The Cherokee Ultra — Year 3
70K • 130K • Waucheesi Challenge (24M)
Tellico Plains, TN — Cherokee National Forest
⸻
🔥 The Southeast’s Premier Mountain Ultra
The Cherokee Ultra is more than a race—it is a rite of passage.
Steep climbs, wild rivers, historic paths.
Every mile demands respect.
Every finisher earns a place in the story.
Waucheesi ain’t easy.
⚔️ Distances and Cutoffs
130K — The Crown Jewel
• 85 miles
• 19,000+ ft gain
• 26-hour strict cutoff
• Field cap: limited
• Eligibility: Must have finished a 50K+ in past 18 months
• Early Start Option: 5:00 AM (not podium-eligible)
70K — The Mountain Test
• 46 miles
• 10,000+ ft gain
• 16-hour soft cutoff
Waucheesi Vert Challenge — NEW for 2026
• 24 miles
• 5,000 ft climb / 5,000 ft descent
• Summit of Waucheesi
🌄 Course Highlights
• Start/Finish: Tellico Plains High School
• Warrior’s Passage
• Waucheesi Tower
• Buck Bald
• Benton MacKaye Trail
• John Muir Trail
• Hiwassee River & Reliance
• Historic Unicoi Turnpike (Trail of Tears route)
🏅 Awards & Legacy
• Top 3 Male & Female in each distance
• Finisher Buckle & Swag (guaranteed if registered before June 1)
• The Cherokee Double Buckle: Finish the 130K twice (any years)
⚡ The Cherokee Ultra Experience
• Themed & lively aid stations by day — music, energy, and mountain hospitality.
• Lantern-lit oases by night — warm food, firelight, and encouragement when you need it most.
• Finisher celebration at Tellico High School — where every runner is honored.
• Local desserts & baked goods at the finish — sweet reward for the mountain miles.
This is not just racing. It’s a journey woven with history, community, and grit.
🧭 Mandatory Gear
All runners must carry:
• Water filter (straw, flask, or bottle)
• GPX file on watch/phone (+ paper map recommended)
• Antihistamine (for stings)
• Headlamp (entire race)
• Whistle
👉 Registration
Registration opens September 1st. Claim your spot before the field closes.
🚫 Policies
• No refunds or deferrals. Commitment required.
🔗 Useful Links
📖 Cherokee Ultra Runners Handbook and GPX Files
🗺️ Cherokee Course Map with Aid Stations
✨Sponsors
We couldn't put on these events without our sponsors.
Salty Britches
UnRunning
Hoist hydration
Allegiance Flag Supply
Drankful
Freak Shake
Volunteer Federal Bank
Butt Napkins
Knoxville Track Club
Thankful for the local Emergency agencies helping with this event.
Monroe county Rescue Squad
Monroe county EMS
Monroe County Amateur Radio Emergency Services
Town of Tellico
Tellico Police
Tellico Fire
Polk County Rescue
A huge thank you to the Volunteer trail work crews in the area!
Benton Mackaye Trail Association
Cherokee Hiking Club
United States Forest Service
History
Cherokee National Forest.
Benton Mackaye Trail.
John Muir National Recreation Trail.
Warriors Passage National Recreation Trail.
Tellico Plains.
Hiwassee River.
Unicoi Turnpike.
Old Doc Rogers place.
Buck Bald.
Event's current local time: 10:25 PM ET
