Mountain Air and Glory Hound Events are excited to welcome everyone to the 10th anniversary of the Ascent on Mountain Air 5K on the evening of Saturday, September 19, 2026. This 5K road race climbs 1,800 feet, from the community’s main gate near Burnsville to the private air strip on the top. At 4,600 feet elevation, this is the most spectacular finish line in Western North Carolina.
2026 Race Date: Saturday, September 19 – 5:00 PM
Registration
Online registration will open Friday, May 1 and close at 9:00 PM on Thursday, September 17. We will have walk-up registration on race day.
Beneficiary
All proceeds from this year’s event benefit the Mountain Air Community Fund.
Location
Mountain Air is located off of Highway 19E in Burnsville just 45 minutes from Asheville and one hour from Johnson City.
Race Information
Since this race was created in 2017, we have never increased our entry fees and we are proud to offer the same fees this year.
Early Registration (May 1-June 30) – $25
Regular Registration (July 1-August 31) – $30
Late Registration (September 1-Race Day) – $35
Schedule – September 19
3:00-4:30 PM 5K Packet Pickup/Late Registration-Mountain Air Visitor Center
4:30-4:55 PM Shuttles to the finish line
5:00 PM 5K Start
6:15 PM Awards Ceremony
6:15 PM Shuttles begin to the main gate
This 5K is not for the faint of heart or spirit. The course is 1800’ of unrelenting climbing on paved roads from start to finish. The payoff is at the finish with unrivaled views as far as the eyes can see of our mountains and forests.
Click HERE to see a video of the course.
Stuff
Each runner will receive a special, 10th anniversary race shirt to mark the occasion.
Bag Drop
For your convenience, we will have a bag drop area at the start area where you can leave a small bag. Prior to the start, we will take all bags to the finish line where you can claim them after the race.
We are planning for a fun post-race party complete with music and local food and refreshments plus the best views anywhere.
The awards ceremony for the 5K will take place near the finish line. Special commemorative awards will be presented to the top ten male and female finishers. If you cannot stay for the awards ceremony, please ask a friend to pick it up for you. Awards will not be mailed.
The 5K will be a bib-timed race with your time recorded when you cross the finish line. Please have your race bib visible at the finish.
Well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to participate.
Parking will be located in three areas near the Mountain Air Visitor Center: 2 grass areas on the left and right as you approach the visitor center and one to the left just past the visitor center and before the main gate.
Shuttles will take spectators/non-runners to the finish line between 4:30 and 4:55 PM. This is the only opportunity for your people to get to the top as we can’t have shuttles on the road behind the field of runners.
There will be shuttles to the bottom leaving the finish area starting at 6:15. We encourage everyone to hang out and enjoy this spectacular place as the shuttles run.
Spectators may bring small lawn chairs or blankets to sit on at the top.
Directions From Asheville
I-26 N to Burnsville exit 9 E.
Take 19E for 13 miles to second stoplight at Phipps Creek Rd. Make right and go 2 miles to entrance on left.
30 minute drive from downtown Asheville
Mountain Air has a NO REFUND policy.
To transfer your registration to another person please log into Race Roster and select Transfer where prompted.
Transfers may be made up to the end of online registration but please allow time for the other person to accept it. Transfers must be completed by Thursday, September 17 at 9:00 PM.
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.
Coming Soon!
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