New Event Date: May 22-23, 2021
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has made the decision to cancel or postpone all events scheduled on the Qualla Boundary for the remainder of 2020. This includes the Fire Mountain Inferno, scheduled for September 12 and 13, 2020.
We regret we have to make this decision but with COVID-19 cases rising on the Boundary, and the uncertainty of what the rest of 2020 will bring, we have determined this is best decision to ensure the safety of our community. We look forward to seeing you in 2021 and thank you for your support of this event.
Registration
All registered participants will be deferred into the 2021 event on May 22-23, 2021.
Registration for the 2021 races will be announced in the near future
Race Capacity
There is a limit of 150 participants in the Enduro races on Saturday.
Race Information
TBA
Schedule
TBA
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 gift.
The Festival 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.
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
Dante’s Double
All those finishing both days of racing will receive a special award after the cross country race on Sunday.
In addition, the male and female with the lowest combined time from the Enduro and Cross Country races will be named God and Goddess of the Mountain.
TBA
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 in the parking lot outside north gate of Fairgrounds at the museum and the Trailhead/Indian Village Parking lot
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.
For those registered for the 2020 event: All registered participants will be deferred into the 2021 event on May 22-23, 2021. You are automatically entered into the same race and category and there is no need to take further action.
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 2022 event.
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 Monday, May 17 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.
Would you still like to be part of this great event but don’t want to ride? Volunteering is the perfect way to do that. We have spots available on Saturday and Sunday in a variety of roles. registration. Please email jere.hyat@nc-cherokee.com if you are interested in volunteering yourself or have a group that wants to join the fun.
RACE SPONSORS
