King of the Mountain
- Date
- August 15, 2026
- Distance
- 5k
From the Organizer
Race start is at North Trailhead
Beginning with a short service road start, runners will quickly sort themselves before entering the single track of Blue Trail. After some rolling uphill, you will take a hard left up one of Oak Mountain's gnarliest climbs, and my favorite training hill, Outback Highway! Once summitted, good news, the most grueling stretch is behind you. But you still have 2.5 miles of rugged Alabama terrain. After the next, shorter, and gentler hill, you will crest over onto one of my favorite top-outs with boulders towards a slippery pine straw downhill. Next is a walk-worthy climb to your halfway point, your water station, and the crown of this race: King's Chair! After a quarter mile of mostly runnable trail, you will come to your second toughest, but final climb to Eagles Nest. From there, it's about a half mile of technical downhill till you get back to Red Road for a fast finish. But make sure you watch your ankles here!
So, come test your grit with the Southeast's toughest 5k. ~1,100 feet of climbing, and descending over only 3.1 miles, on Oak Mountain's rugged terrain.
Race start is at North Trailhead
Distances & Pricing
Race Location
About This Sport
From Endurance Grid's Founder
Endurance Grid is here to help you understand the sport, decide if it's the right fit, and learn how to prepare. For course distances, logistics, and race-day specifics, always defer to the race organizer's event page.
With running, there's a distance for every fitness level, a community at every start line, and nothing beats the feeling of crossing a finish line you trained for.
Running is an endurance sport that rewards consistency, and showing up every week compounds in ways that will surprise you.
Running
From 5K to marathon, running races are the most accessible entry point into endurance sport. There's a distance for every fitness level and a community at every start line.
Coming Up
More running races in AL
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the King of the Mountain?
- King of the Mountain is a running event held in Pelham, AL. Learn more about the different endurance sports here.
- When and where is the King of the Mountain?
- Saturday, August 15, 2026 in Pelham, AL at Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, AL. Check the official event page for exact start times and wave schedules.
- How do I register for the King of the Mountain?
- Registration is handled through their official registration page. Confirm pricing, distances available, and sign up there.
King of the Mountain
Aug 15, 2026