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The Legacy race photo

The Legacy

The city you want to run becomes your next trip.

USJan 9, 202750km
Sdrtm at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
Race date in 96 days
Jan 9, 2027 Sat
City · Distance
Sapphire · 50km
Entry fee
Fee TBDVaries by event and entry period
Status
SoonTBD ~ Wed, September 1, 2027See how to enter ↗
D-day as of Oct 5, 2026
The Legacy race photo
Sdrtm at English Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 3.0
About the raceHow to enterCourseRace PrepTravel
Why you dream of this race

THE DREAM

About The Legacy — what makes it special

ABOUT THE RACE

A day you'll remember,
long past the finish line.

This mountain trail race takes place in North Carolina’s Gorges State Park.

The 50K and 25K course pass through root-covered sections, rock gardens and waterfalls, with a time limit of 10 hours.

Technical enough to recommend trekking poles, it is a classic mountain race from Dirty Wolf Racing.

The road to your own record

Picture the course in advance
and find the pace that fits you.

When the city cheers

Streets lined with cheers, runners all around.
You'll be part of that scene.

The trip that follows the run

Take it slow with the finish still in you,
and meet the city all over again.

The Legacy runner reviews and race reports

Stories from those who ran it first.

From the joy of finishing to the tough moments — read what runners wrote themselves.

No runner reports yet. We'll add them here as they come in.

See it on video,
feel it through their stories.

Preview the course and read what runners who went before you wrote.

We haven't found a video for this race yet. We'll add one when we do.

The way in that fits you

YOUR ENTRY

How to enter The Legacy — registration routes

How to reach the start line —
start with what fits you.

Here are the ways to enter and what each requires.
Check the organizer's page for whether entries are open.

We'll fill this in once the official entry rules are out.

Entry options
From the start line to the finish

RACE WEEK

The Legacy course map and elevation

The 50km I'll run

Know the course and time limit, and race day comes into focus.

Runners start · local timeFrom 08:00
Time limit10 hours
START

976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire NC

Gorges State Park

Start · Google Maps

Cut-off
10 hours

Show more

A mountain trail race held in the Gorges State Park area near Sapphire in North Carolina,

organized by Dirty Wolf Racing, which operates several trail running series in western North Carolina.

The race features two categories: 50K and 25K, with participants running mountainous terrain from early morning.

Course is known for its characteristic sections with exposed root systems and rocky terrain (rock gardens),

waterfalls, with steep climbs and technical descents alternating throughout.

The race organizers recommend trekking poles so strongly that many sections have difficult footing—course.

Race proceeds support research into neurodegenerative diseases and learning disabilities, a practice the race director has continued in honor of his parents.

This race carries meaning beyond just competition—both finishing and charitable giving are emphasized.

Organizer
Dirty Wolf Racing
Typical race-season temperature: around 2°C (36°F)
Long sleeves + a throwaway layer for the start
Aid stations
1 location (pickles/cereal/pretzels/candy/fruit/bacon/water/Tailwind/soft drinks)

Participant benefits

Not yet confirmed in the official race guide

Where and when to collect your The Legacy race bib

To the start line,
step by step.

Pick up your bib, check your wave.
So on race morning, you can just run.

Pick up your bib at the expo

Packet pickup information has not yet been announced.
For small trail races, race-morning on-site pickup is common; check the registration page announcement for details.

Stations & transport near the venue

Getting to the start

None

Remote state park trailhead, no public transit, car access only.

Likely a rebrand of the same event/series since the date lines up exactly;

not treated as a date conflict.

Getting to the finish

None

Same remote trailhead as start, Gorges State Park.

Stations & transport near the venue

The Legacy race is held near Sapphire, a small rural community in the western North Carolina mountains (near Cashiers), with no public transit system.

No transit card applies;

a car is required for the mountain roads to the venue.

Source · checked Aug 24, 2026
READY TO RUN

From race morning to after the finish.

Your start time, fuel and bag drop.
Know them ahead and the run feels easier.

Start time is 8:00 AM with time limit set at 10 hours.

Aid station operates at one location, providing pickles, cereal, pretzels, candy, fruit, bacon, and water, Tailwind, and soda.

First aid supplies are also available.

Bib must always be clearly visible, and given the mountainous terrain with frequent rain and fog, waterproof and cold-weather gear are recommended.

Registration opens at different times by category: 50K opens in mid-September morning, 25K in the afternoon of the same day.

Race schedules may be adjusted annually, so checking the official registration page is necessary.

Times are local to Sapphire. Check the latest official information before the race.

A trip built around the race

STAY A LITTLE

MAKE IT A RUNTRIP

The race is one day,
the trip can be longer.

From a hotel that makes race morning easy,
to the meals and views you'll enjoy with the medal on.

Hotels near the The Legacy start line in Sapphire

Hotels that make race morning easy

6 places

Distances are straight-line from the start.
Check real travel times and booking terms with each hotel.

Private Wooded Airstream Retreat with Babbling Brook near Cashiers & Highlands – Sapphire, NC

Accommodation · 4.0km

View on Booking.com

Swipe sideways to see more hotels.

View on map →

Time for you, before and after the finish

4 experiences

Rest a little, wander a little.
Pick what suits you and whoever you're with.

Asheville｜Private Airport Pickup/Drop-off Service at Asheville Airport

₩211,195

View on Klook
Eating well is part of the tripA meal before the race, a dinner to celebrate the finish.View on mapSeeing Sapphire with the medal onThe city you ran — this time, a little slower.View on map

Hotel distances are straight-line from the start. Distances and ratings for food and sights come from the place provider, and experiences are travel products in Sapphire.

Total cost and budget for The Legacy

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Trip prep too,
light and in one place.

ChecklistLocal eSIM · YesimFlight delay or cancellation compensation · AirHelpPace calculator

Once saved, you can open this page without an internet connection

Runner stories and questions about The Legacy

RUN TOGETHER

With runners who dream of
the same start line.

Be the first runner
Leave this room's first post

Sapphire runners' room

Frequently asked questions about The Legacy

FAQ
When does The Legacy 2027 take place?

It takes place on Sat, January 9, 2027 in Sapphire, NC, United States.

How much is the The Legacy 2027 entry fee?

From $73, depending on the event and registration period.

What is the time limit for The Legacy 2027?

10 hours.

What distances does The Legacy 2027 offer?

Ultra.

What time does The Legacy 2027 start?

The race starts at 08:00.

Where does The Legacy 2027 start?

976 Grassy Ridge Road, Sapphire NC.

What are the The Legacy 2027 cut-off times?

10 hours.

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