Conquer the Cove 25k Course Description

25k Course Description (2440ft of elevation gain):

This year’s course will be run in the reverse direction.

For those of you looking for the last step before trying a Trail Marathon, this is it.  This course should give you the challenge, mentally and physically, that you need to be able confidently enter a road or trail marathon.

Race Map

Elevation Profile

Strava Route

Mileage Spreadsheet

Although there isn’t a time limit or cut-off for the 25k this isn’t a race for walkers. We have an expectation that all entrants will, at the minimum, run/jog the flats and downhills and be able to make it to Water Stop 2 (mile 8) in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Course Description and Aid Station Plan
Runners will leave Sherwood Archers and run onto Timberview Road heading to the Cove.  At the end of Timberview Road runners will go through the gate and then take the 1.25 mile Horse Pen Trail. This is an old roadbed and is a gradual decline.  At the end you will then head up on the 2.16 mile Gauntlet.  This section is almost all climb, with just a few short downhill sections.  At the top you will be at (AS 1 – 5.13 Miles – water only).  We’ll call this the “Overconfidence Gap” aid station, as you will still have just under a mile of climbing before heading down Brushy Mountain Fire Road to the “Oasis” (AS #2 – 8.46 Miles – water, Skratch, food).

This is an important spot on the course because the Marathoners will continue heading straight for their 10 mile loop and the 25k runners will head right onto the 1000ft climb. 

Volunteers will try and assist you in finding your way, but please realize this is a busy and hectic spot, and sometimes they make mistakes too. IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW WHICH WAY TO GO! 

4 Gorge is a very popular trail as it will take you towards the main parking lot of the Carvins Cove at Bennett Springs.  At the end of 4 Gorge you will take a right, heading downhill, on Hi-Dee-Ho for around .35 miles.  At the bottom you will take a left onto Hotel.   Hotel is an up and down trail that leads to a left onto Buck.  At the Buck intersection you will take a left and continue for 1.25 miles up to Brushy Mountain Fire Road and the “Are We There Yet” aid station (AS #7 – 13.55 Miles – water, Skratch, food).  From here, you will take a left heading uphill for .4 miles to a right onto Trough.  Trough will test your quads as it is a major downhill trail for 1.13 miles.  At the bottom you will head right to the Gate. Go through the gate and you will be at the “Feets Don’t Fail Me Now” aid station (AS #8 – 15.15 – water only) and onto the asphalt Timberview Road.  After 1.72 miles, you will take a right into Sherwood Archers property and to the finish!

Comments are closed.