October 11, 2025 | Bryson City, NC | 9AM Race Start
The Payson’s Run 10k is a challenging trail race entirely on the NOC property and winds along their zipline adventure course! The route is majority on their singletrack Flint Trail and runners will be able to hear the water rushing from the Nantahala river below. The course starts with over 1,000 feet of elevation gain in the first 3 miles. Once hitting the turn around point, runners will drop right back down on the Flint Trail towards the Nantahala Outdoor Center.
This race is limited to just 200 participants so register now to join in on the adventure! A Finisher medal, race shirt, chip timing a beer from the NOC (21+) is included in race registration. The course limit is 2 hours.
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 | About the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Established in 1972 by Payson & Aurelia Kennedy and Horace Holden Sr., Nantahala Outdoor Center started out as a modest motel and petrol store situated by the Nantahala River in Bryson City, North Carolina. For many years, NOC’s locations have served as gathering places for friends and family, training grounds for aspiring Olympic paddlers and athletes, a rest stop for Appalachian Trail walkers, and the residence of several alumni and staff members. |
Registration fees
Prices are inclusive of mandatory charges, items, and fees
Payson's Run 10k Spots remaining: 199
Price changes in 1 month 23 days-
Finisher medal & race shirt included in registration.
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Register for Payson's Run 10k$60.83
Early bird pricing
Now registering May 16 – Jul 12 -
$66.18
Second tier pricing
Jul 13 – Sep 6 -
$71.53
Final tier pricing
Sep 7 – Oct 10
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Virtual 10k
Race shirt, bib and medal will be mailed to you the week after the race. Virtual runners are not eligible for awards.
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Register for Virtual 10k$50.14May 16 - Oct 10
10k Course Map
The start and finish for the Payson’s 10k is on the Nantahala Outdoor Campus, next to the Big Wesser. Runners will head out of the NOC parking lot and turn left onto State Road 1180. This road is a combination of packed gravel and pavement.
After .5 miles, runners will turn left onto the Flint Ridge single track trail. At mile 1.5, the trail connects with the road and runners will take a left. Runners will hook back onto the Flint Ridge trail at mile 1.7 for about a quarter mile. The runners will turn left from the Flint Ridge trail and follow the gravel road up to ~mile 3 where they will turn around. The course passes the NOC’s ziplining towers and overlooks the river.
At mile ~4.1 runners will turn left to start descending on the Flint Ridge Trail. After mile ~5.7, runners will take a left to return down the State Road 1180. At mile ~6.1, runners will turn right for a short stint on the Appalachian Trail and finish up next to the Big Wesser.
The course is a combination trail, packed gravel, and a short section on pavement. There is approximately 1,050ft of elevation gain over the course.
*Course subject to change.
Kick It Event Management (Kick It Events) has a no refund policy. Our team works year round to produce our high quality events. Even if the event is canceled we have incurred expenses with planning of the event that are non-refundable. Please see the guidelines below.
The Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program.
Adding on the Race Roster Enhanced Refund Protection Program is a service provided outside of Kick It Events.
This purchase is subject to the Protecht Terms and Conditions. Please read them carefully before purchasing.
Kick It Events DOES NOT promise a refund with the purchase of the Race Roster Enhanced Protection Program.
Refunds
No refunds will be given if you signed up for this race by accident. Double check the city, date and time BEFORE registering.
There are no refunds for injury or illness.
There are no refunds for work or event conflicts.
There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund.
We do not allow deferrals.
Postponement
In the event of inclement weather, the event will be postponed at the race directors discretion. There will be NO REFUNDS if the event needs to be postponed.
Inclement weather determination is at the discretion of the race directors. We are looking for dangerous conditions for our runners and volunteers or an impassable race course.
The postponement announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to postpone the race up until race morning. A Postponement announcement will be by 5am race morning.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
Race postponement will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/paysonsrun/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
In the event the race is postponed and you would like your race swag mailed to you, you will be required to pay the shipping cost for your race bib and race swag.
Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct. In the event that the postponement date needs to be canceled, there will not be another postponement and there will not be any refunds.
Cancelation
In the event the race needs to be canceled there will be no refunds.
The cancellation announcement will be made as early as we can. If there is surprise weather we reserve the right to cancel the race up until race morning.
We will always try to postpone the race if needed but sometimes permitting, weather etc does not allow for a postponement.
If the event needs to be canceled due to a global pandemic, national health emergency, state of emergency in the area or catastrophic event, there will be no refund. We will do our best with a virtual event or socially distanced race. Please understand that we purchase your race items months ahead of time and we will get these items to you if the event is canceled last minute.
Race cancellation will be emailed out to runners using the email used during registration, posted on the race website (https://kickitevents.com/paysonsrun/) as well as posted on our social media platforms.
Race updates will be sent to the email address you registered with. Always make sure that your email is correct.
Transfers
You may transfer your registration to being a virtual runner up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page.
You may transfer your registration to another runner or to a virtual runner up to 5 days before the event using the transfer button on the registration page.
If you wish to transfer to virtual after 5 days before the event you must pay the $10 flat shipping fee.
After the 5 day cut off please reach out to Info@kickitevents.com for help with transferring.
Event schedule
- Fri, October 10, 2025 5:00 PM - Early Packet Pick Up at NOC Start
- Fri, October 10, 2025 7:00 PM - Early Packet Pick Up at NOC End
- Sat, October 11, 2025 8:00 AM - Race Day Packet Pick Up
- Sat, October 11, 2025 9:00 AM - Race Start
Contact information
- Event contact
- Rhianna Scott
- rhianna@kickitevents.com
- Phone
- 828 301 2886
- Website
- Visit website
