TREETOPS 8.5 MILE TRAIL RACE
Benefiting Friends of DuPont Forest
EVENT GUIDE
OCTOBER 17, 2026 | 9:00 AM
PACKET PICKUP
Saturday, October 17th
7:30am - 8:30am
Pickup ends promptly at 8:30am
Location
Picnic Shelter at Guion Farm
(VIEW MAP)
- Please be sure to arrive early enough to allow time to get your things and get them back to your car before the race starts.
- NOTE: Please wear bright clothing for safety!
- Race Merchandise will be available for purchase at packet pickup on race day. Pre-order yours now HERE or bring CASH to shop with us and to support other local vendors!
- Cell service is spotty, at best. Participants MUST be registered online HERE prior to arrival at packet pickup.
PARKING
Limited parking is available at the race. We HIGHLY SUGGEST that you carpool with friends and family members! RACE PARKING will NOT be available in the Guion Farm Parking Area!
Navigate to Guion Farm Parking, and turn right onto Buck Forest Rd, .25 mile before Guion Farm Parking.
VIEW GOOGLE MAPS
RESTROOMS
Portajons will be located in the Guion Parking Lot.
RACE INFO
Race Start: 9:00am
Course Cutoff: 11:15am
GPS COURSE MAP
NOTE: Due to the nature of the trail terrain, participants should plan to maintain an average pace of approximately 15 minutes per mile to comfortably finish within the cutoff.
Course support, aid stations, and traffic control will end at 11:15am, and participants may be directed off the course at that time.
The TreeTops 8.5 Mile Trail Race at Dupont State Forest is a trail runner's dream race. This challenging endurance run will take you through some of the most beautiful trails that this forest has to offer. The route includes single and double track trails, wide forest roads, dirt, gravel, rock and rooted surfaces, as well as a stinker hill that will challenge even the most experienced trail runners.
The race start and finish takes place at the Buck Forest, Tarkiln Branch and Hickory Mountain Rd Intersection. (See course map.) Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your race wave start time for announcements.
Start times will be in waves, beginning with Wave 1 at 9am, based on the time you submitted during registration.
9:00am - Wave 1: Trail pace of 9:30 min/mi or faster
9:03am - Wave 2: Trail pace of 9:30 - 11:00 min/mi
9:06am - Wave 3: Trail pace of 11:00 - 13:30 min/mi
9:09am - Wave 4: Trail pace of 13:30 - 15:00 min/mi
To give you a chance to refuel, there are two water stations along the way - one at mile 3.8 & 8.2 and the other one at mile 6.8. The course is in the shape of a figure 8, taking you through some of Dupont's best trails such as Hickory Mountain, Jim Branch, Ridgeline and Thomas Cemetery.
Have your race number visible on the FRONT.
Strollers & Dogs are NOT permitted.
AWARDS
Beginning this year, we introduced something NEW for all of our 2026 races: Break the course record (male or female) and you’ll take home $100!
59:06 – Connor Johnston – Male (2025)
1:13:07 – Katie Rudins – Female (2024)
- All finishers will receive a custom wooden finisher medal, featuring a genuine leather cord!
- The Overall Male/Female winner will receive a Gift Certificate for a 60-minute nutrition coaching appointment valued at $260, graciously donated by Pisgah Sports Nutrition!
- All Overall & Age Group winners will receive a custom TreeTops pint glass!
The awards ceremony will take at the race hub, near the picnic shelter, at approximately 11:00am.
Can't stay? You may also pick up your award at one of our upcoming fall events (let us know which one!) or reach out to support@idaph.net for a payment link to have it shipped.
Learn more about prizes and awards categories HERE.
POST RACE
Use these links to find your time or view our photo gallery:
POST RACE AMENITIES
- Enjoy post race snacks and drinks
- Visit Dr. Sierra Hinshaw at Outshine Physical Therapy & Fitness for a complimentary injury screening
- Be sure to check your race swag bag for a free menu item at Chick-fil-A, compliments of Chick-fil-A Hendersonville!
- Pick up your favorite Run WNC merchandise, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, decals, tattoos, etc, along with TreeTops race merchandise at the iDaph Merchandise Tent. BRING CASH or pre-order HERE!
After you've recovered, refueled and shopped, please join us at the Dupont Forest Festival from 10am - 3pm! Visit with vendors, hike, yoga, bike, hunt waterfalls and learn outdoor recreation tips to last you a lifetime. Admission to the festival is FREE!
CHARITY PARTNER
Friends of DuPont Forest campaigns for investment and policies that keep the water clean, the wildlife safe, and the trails awesome! We CARE for the trails, PROTECT the Forest, and INSPIRE love for our public lands.
We Take CARE of the Trails
DuPont Forest has one of the best trail systems in the Southeast and is a favorite among hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and summer camps. Since the very beginning, when the State Forest was opened to the public in 2000, Friends of DuPont was there to help build, protect, and maintain the trails.
We PROTECT the Forest
Friends of Dupont Forest is a strong advocate for the Forest. You could say we speak for the trees. From water quality, to trails, to public safety, to wildlife, we campaign for policies and investment that protect and conserve the Forest.
We INSPIRE Love for Public Lands
We believe that outdoor education is an important aspect of conserving and protecting DuPont Forest for generations to come.
