The Third Fire Mountain Inferno will be held September 12 & 13, 2020 and feature a weekend of mountain bike racing on the Fire Mountain Trail system in Cherokee, North Carolina. There will be for all levels of experience with Enduro racing on Saturday and cross country racing on Sunday.
This will now be part of the Cherokee Firestorm Endurance Weekend, which will also include the Cherokee Harvest Marathon and 5K. This combined events will follow the following schedule and there will be more details to come in the near future:
Saturday, September 12, Morning – Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon & 5K
Saturday, September 12, Afternoon – Fire Mountain Inferno-Enduro
Sunday, September 13 – Fire Mountain Inferno-Cross Country
Registration
Online registration will open Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 9:00 AM and close on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 9:00 PM.
The Enduro race has reached its capacity of 150 riders but fear not. We are accepting up to 15 names to the waiting list.
To join the waiting list, email greg@gloryhoundevents.com and include your cell number. Once a slot opens up, you will be emailed and sent a text at which you will have two hours to enter the event. The waiting list option will end on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:00 PM.
Only join the wait list if you fully intend to race.
Limits
There is a limit of 150 participants in the Enduro races on Saturday.
Race Information
Enduro (Wait List Only)
October 12- September 10 – $60 – Beginner, Sport, Masters & Expert Categories
On-Site $75 – Beginner, Sport, Masters & Expert Categories
October 12- September 10 – $10 – Junior
Cross Country
October 12- September 10 – $30 – Beginner, Sport, E-Bikes, Masters & Expert Categories
On-Site $45 – Beginner, Sport, Masters & Expert Categories
October 12- September 10 – $10 – Junior
Registration Protection Insurance Program
Through our registration platform, IMAthlete, we are offering this insurance from Allianz Global Assistance. Those purchasing this insurance during online registration are eligible to be reimbursed for the cost of your registration fee should you become injured or another event procludes you from racing. Click HERE for more information about this program.
It does not cover COVID-19, including registration fees lost due to races being postponed or cancelled because of the pandemic.
Should you not purchase the insurance at the time of registration, you have 14 days to go back and purchase it should you decide at a later time you want it.
Schedule
Friday, September 11
All Day – Enduro and Cross Country practice – Courses will be marked
Saturday, September 12
5:00-11:00 AM – Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon & 5K
11:00 AM-1:00 PM – Course open for practice
12:00-1:30 PM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Cherokee Fairgrounds (545 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee)
Enduro Racing
1:45 PM – Rider meeting at trail head
2:00 PM – All racers up Uktena
Sunday, September 13
7:30 AM-12:00 PM – Packet Pickup/Late Registration – Cherokee Festival Grounds
Cross Country Racing
9:45 AM E-Bikes (M&F)
10:00 AM Beginner & Junior Categories (M&F)
12:30 PM Expert Category (M&F)
12:35 PM Sport, Masters, Single Speed Category (M&F)
12:45 PM* Awards Ceremony-E-Bikes, Beginner & Junior
3:15 PM* Awards Ceremony-Expert, Sport, Masters, Single Speed
* Times are approximate
The Enduro races will start near the trail head in the upper parking lot of the Oconoluftee Village. The Cross Country races will start at the Cherokee Fairgrounds and begin with a climb on pavement to the trail head.
Enduro
Note: These are the 2019 stages. We are working to extend one trail and add an extension for 2020. These will be posted as soon as they are finalized.
Up Uktena Trail then down Spearfinger Trail (Stage 1) – 2 miles with 630ft of elevation loss: (https://www.strava.com/segments/17644957)
Up Uktena Trail then down Kessel Run-Upper Half (Stage 2) – 1.4 miles with 486ft of elevation loss: (https://www.strava.com/segments/17644988)
Continue down Kessel Run-Lower Half (Stage 3) – .6 miles with 200ft of elevation loss (https://www.strava.com/segments/20238652)
Up Spearfinger and down Uktena (Stage 4)
Fire Mountain Enduro Course Map
Cross Country
Beginner & Junior – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9 miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the beginner loop (2.3 miles each lap with 312 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644901. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 8.7 miles with 1261 ft elevation gain
Sport, E-Bikes, Masters, Single Speed – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 2 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75 miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 11.3 miles with 1625 ft of elevation gain
Expert – Start climb from the Fairgrounds up to the loop, .9miles with 325 ft elevation gain: https://www.strava.com/segments/17644883. 3 laps of the Sport/Expert loop (4.75miles each lap with 650 ft elevation gain): https://www.strava.com/segments/17644917. Then there is .9 miles back to the finish line at the fairgrounds. Total: 16.05 miles with 2275 ft of elevation gain
E-Bikes
We will follow the UCI, Class 1 rules for E-Bike at the Cross Country Races: No throttle, 250w maximum, 20 MPH maximum, no extra battery. All E-Bikes must pass a pre-race inspection at our technical support tent before being allowed to start.
There will be no distinction between age in this category.
Swag
All racers will receive an event shirt and special gift. Those racing both days doing Dante’s Double will receive a special event shirt and custom belt buckle at the finish line on Sunday.
Event Village
The Ceremonial Grounds will host all event festivities over the weekend. There will be music, vendors, sponsors, beer, and food from a local food truck and the awards ceremonies for all events.
All racers will receive a voucher for a meal after the race and beer tokens (for those over 21 years of age). Beer and food will be available for sale to the public.
The Ceremonial Grounds will host all event festivities over the weekend. There will be music, vendors, sponsors, beer, and food from a local food truck and the awards ceremonies for all events.
All racers will receive a voucher for a meal after the race and beer tokens (for those over 21 years of age). Beer and food will be available for sale to the public.
Enduro
Expert – Top 3 M/F receive cash ($200-1st, $100-2nd, $50-3rd) and a commemorative prize
Sport – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Beginner – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Junior – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Master 40+ – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Master 50+ – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Cross Country
Expert – Top 3 M/F receive cash ($200-1st, $100-2nd, $15-3rd) and a commemorative prize
Sport – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Single Speed – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
E-Bikes – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Beginner – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Junior – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Master 40+ – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
Master 50+ – Top 3 M/F receive a commemorative prize
In addition, the male and female expert riders with the lowest combined time from the Enduro and Cross Country races will be named God and Goddess of the Mountain.
Dante’s Double
All those finishing both days of racing will receive a special award after the cross country race on Sunday.
Note: The Enduro is sold out so the opportunity to register for Dante’s Double has closed.
Tsalagi Triple
Are you registered for Dante’s Double and want another challenge? Race either the Cherokee Harvest Half Marathon or 5K on Saturday morning and receive an additional prize at the Cross Country finish line.
Parking will be available at three locations for the event:
- In front of Fairgrounds
- Parking lots around the Council House (south of Fairgrounds)
- Parking lots across Drama Road, behind Qualla Arts and Post Office
Parking will not be permitted behind the Museum of the Cherokee Indian or at the Fire Mountain Trail Head, the Outdoor Drama or Oconoluftee Indian Village.
Directions
From Asheville, NC (approximately 1 hour)
Take I-40 west to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 past Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy 19. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.
From Knoxville, TN (approximately 2 hours)
Take I-40 east into North Carolina to exit 27 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway). Continue west on U.S. 74 beyond Waynesville, Sylva, and Dillsboro to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S. Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn right on US Hwy. 19. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.
From Atlanta, GA (approximately 2.5 hours)
Take I-85 north to I-985 which becomes U.S. 23 north, and eventually becomes U.S. 23/441 north. You will travel through the towns of Clayton, GA, Franklin, NC, and Dillsboro, NC. Just beyond Dillsboro, take U.S. 74 (Great Smoky Mountains Expressway) west to exit 74, Cherokee. U.S.Hwy 441 will take you into Cherokee. Turn left at first traffic light – Tsali Boulevard. The Cherokee Fairgrounds are approximately ..3 miles on the left.
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has a NO REFUND policy. However, we do offer partial discounts for those canceling during our cancellation periods.
If the event is NOT sold out, a discount code for 50% of your race registration fee will be offered until 7 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 7 days before the event, if the event is not sold out.
If the event IS sold out, a discount code for 100% of your race registration fee will be offered until 7 days prior to the race date. No discounts codes will be given within 7 days before the event, if the event is sold out.
Partial discount codes are only available for cancellations of completed registrations. A registration is considered incomplete if payment was mailed in and has not yet been received. Discount codes can be used to register for the 2020 event.
This policy only applies to the Fire Mountain Inferno. Discount codes from the previous year may not be used for any other events owned or managed by Glory Hound Events or its partnerships.
To cancel or update your registration, go to www.IMAthlete.com, log in, My Races, select this event and make your changes.
Transfers of entries between participants will be accepted through Wednesday, April 24 at 5:00 PM EDT by completing and submitting this Transfer Form. This is the only way transfers or the selling of bibs between participants will be allowed. Anyone who is discovered to have purchased or accepted another person’s bib without submitting this form will be disqualified and banned from future races.
Unofficial results will be posted at the event site both days. Officials results will be posted here after each day of racing.
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