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)
