Mountain Air and Glory Hound Events are excited to welcome everyone to the 10th anniversary of the Ascent on Mountain Air 5K on the evening of Saturday, September 19, 2026. This 5K road race climbs 1,800 feet, from the community’s main gate near Burnsville to the private air strip on the top. At 4,600 feet elevation, this is the most spectacular finish line in Western North Carolina.
Registration fees
Where pricing applies, shown amounts include mandatory charges, items, and fees.
5K
Price changes in 1 month 24 days-
This 5K is not for the faint of heart or spirit. The course is 1800’ of unrelenting climbing on paved roads from start to finish. The payoff is at the finish with unrivaled views of mountains and forests in the heart of the fall color season. The race starts at 5:00 PM at the main gate to Mountain Air.
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Register for 5K$28.74
Early Registration
Now registering Apr 28 – Jun 30 -
$34.09
Regular Registration
Jul 1 – Aug 31 -
$39.44
Late Registration
Sep 1 – Sep 17
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Event Information
Schedule - September 19
3:00-4:30 PM 5K Packet Pickup/Late Registration-Mountain Air Visitor Center
4:30-4:55 PM Shuttles to the finish line
5:00 PM 5K Start
6:15 PM Awards Ceremony
6:15 PM Shuttles begin to the main gate
Packet Pickup/Late Registration
Saturday, September 19 - 3:00-4:30 PM – Mountain Air Sales Lodge
Courses
This 5K is not for the faint of heart or spirit. The course is 1800’ of unrelenting climbing on paved roads from start to finish. The payoff is at the finish with unrivaled views of mountains and forests in the heart of the fall color season.
Stuff
Each runner will receive a special, 10th anniversary race shirt to mark the occasion.
Bag Drop
For your convenience, we will have a bag drop area at the start area where you can leave a small bag. Prior to the start, we will take all bags to the finish line where you can claim them after the race.
Post-Race
We are planning for a fun post-race party complete with music and local food and refreshments plus the best views anywhere.
Awards
The awards ceremony will take place near the finish line. Special commemorative awards will be presented to the top ten male and female finishers. If you cannot stay for the awards ceremony, please ask a friend to pick it up for you. Awards will not be mailed.
Cash Bonus for Course Records: We will award $150 cash to the male and/or female who breaks the course record for the Open, Masters (40-49), and Grand Masters (50&Over) divisions.
All ages are eligible to break the Open course record; those 40-49 are eligible to break the Open and Masters course records; and those 50 & over are eligible to break the Open and Grand Masters course records.]
Course Records
Open Male: Luke Paulson - 26:24 (2022); Open Female: Anne Wheatley - 28:48 (2018)
Masters Male: Stuart Moran - 27:57 (2017); Masters Female: Jennifer Fisher - 30:29 (2023)
Grand Masters Male: Brad Dellinger - 29:22 (2020); Grand Masters Female: Martha Olsen - 38:31 (2021)
Timing
This will be a bib-timed race with your time recorded when you cross the finish line. Please have your race bib visible at the finish.
Parking
Parking will be located in three areas near the Mountain Air Visitor Center: 2 grass areas on the left and right as you approach the visitor center and one to the left just past the visitor center and before the main gate.
Shuttles will take spectators/non-runners to the finish line between 4:30 and 4:55 PM. This is the only opportunity for your people to get to the top as we can’t have shuttles on the road behind the field of runners.
There will be shuttles to the bottom leaving the finish area starting at 6:15. We encourage everyone to hang out and enjoy this spectacular place as the shuttles run.
Spectators may bring small lawn chairs or blankets to sit on at the top.
Contact information
- Event contact
- Greg Duff
