Ultra athletes battle Black Mountain Monster through the night

Annual six-, 12- and 24-hour races test runners on the trails of IntheOaks

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
June 8, 2025

A grueling battle of endurance and resolve unfolded, June 7 and 8, as 167 runners trekked along the winding trails of the IntheOaks estate.

Taming the Black Mountain Monster Six-, 12- and 24-hour Ultramarathon, however, was no small feat.

Organized by Relentless Running Events and hosted at the IntheOaks estate, the event featured three concurrent races following a 3.15-mile course through the approximately 80-acre property. Each lap began and ended near Pulliam Stadium on Vance Avenue, with runners traversing gravel paths, grassy meadows, tree-covered single dirt tracks and muddy lowlands.

With a high temperature around 85 degrees and rain overnight, the conditions were challenging for runners and those supporting them in tents along the route. The course, which was altered this year, required extensive rehabilitation after Tropical Storm Helene, according to race director Mike Guyer.

“This property was a mess after the storm,” he told runners, as they gathered to start the race. “But, it was the work of our volunteers that made it possible. It’s still a really fun and dynamic course.”

The competition began at 10 a.m., Saturday, and ended Sunday morning, as Brian Beal, of Lincolnton, completed his 35th lap. With a distance of 110.25 miles, Beal repeated as the 24-hour champion. Kevin Lane, of Marshall, finished second with 100.8 miles, while Bryant Reed tallied 94.5 miles to round out the top three.

Liane Jennings, of Johnson City, Tennessee, accumulated 88.2 miles, finishing first among female competitors in the 24-hour race, followed by Ashlee Medina, of Candler, with 78.75 miles. Betsy Guyer, of Rutherfordton, finished third in the category with 75.60 miles.

Racing out of Wintson-Salem, Andy Moore completed 59.85 miles on the trail to take the spot in the 12-hour run. With 56.7 miles, Robert Grealy, of Brevard, clinched the second spot, while Mark Gallagher, of Asheville, finished third with the same total.

Oksana Lines, of Asheville, posted 53.55 miles as the top female finisher in the race, while Sarah Huebner, of Nashville, came in second with a 50.4-mile showing. Laura Bolduc, of Charlotte, trekked 47.25 miles in 12 hours to finish third.

Columbia, S.C. runner Herbert Krabel completed 12 laps in six hours to claim first place in his competition, tallying 37.8 miles, while Barry Thomas, of Hickory, finished second with 34.65 miles. Chris Mitola, of Denver, Colorado, matched that mark to finish third.

Carrie Cliffel, of Columbus, Ohio, rounded the loop nine times, racking up 28.35 miles and finishing first among female runners in the contest. She was followed by Elektra Kirby, of Somers, N.Y. and Reeli Reinu, of Travelers Rest, S.C., who each recorded 25.2 miles.

Thirteen states were represented in the field, while 11 runners from Black Mountain competed in the event.

Photos of the 2025 Black Mountain Monster Ultramarathon can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.