THE CHEROKEE
ULTRA
130K • 70K • WAUCHEESI CHALLENGE
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2027 • TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE • CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST
PRESENTED BY PEOPLES BANK OF EAST TENNESSEE
THE MOUNTAINS
DECIDE.
Steep climbs, wild rivers, historic paths. Every mile demands respect.
THE FACTS.
GRIT INDEX
19,000+ FT — vertical gain in the 130K
5,000 FT — climb and descent in the 24-mile Waucheesi Challenge
26 HOURS — the 130K strict cutoff. No exceptions.
PICK YOUR
DISTANCE.
19,000+ FT OF GAIN
26-HOUR STRICT CUTOFF
MUST HAVE FINISHED A 50K+ IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS
10,000+ FT OF GAIN
16-HOUR SOFT CUTOFF
5,000 FT CLIMB & DESCENT
12-HOUR CUTOFF
NO CREW • NO PACERS • NO DROP BAGS
THE COURSE.
Seven named legs through the Cherokee National Forest.
TIMETABLE — SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2027
5:00 AM ET — EARLY START
7:00 AM ET — 130K
8:00 AM ET — WAUCHEESI CHALLENGE + 70K
COURSE RECORDS.
The fastest times on these mountains.
PHOTOS.
Photos: Misty Dawn Photography + Nick Morgan Photography
Past Photos.
Nick Morgan — ECA Cherokee
Nick Morgan — ECA Cherokee 70K 130K
Nick Morgan — ECA Cherokee 70K 130K Gallery 2
Misty Dawn — Cherokee Ultra 2026
Misty Dawn — Cherokee Ultra 2025
WATCH.
THE CHEROKEE ULTRA: CHASING THE PODIUM
LIVE ON RACE WEEK
REAL-TIME RACE COVERAGE • RUNNER INTERVIEWS • ON-COURSE TRACKING
REGISTER.
REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2027, AT 11:59 PM ET
HOUSE RULES
MANDATORY GEAR: WATER FILTER • GPX ON WATCH/PHONE • ANTIHISTAMINE • HEADLAMP • WHISTLE
NO REFUNDS • NO DEFERRALS
AWARDS
FINISHER BUCKLE • CHEROKEE DOUBLE BUCKLE — FINISH THE 130K TWICE, ANY YEARS
QUESTIONS.
WHEN DOES THE RACE START?
SATURDAY, JULY 17, 2027. EARLY START 5:00 AM ET. 130K 7:00 AM ET. WAUCHEESI CHALLENGE + 70K 8:00 AM ET.
WHAT ARE THE DISTANCES AND CUTOFFS?
130K — 85 MILES, 19,000+ FT OF GAIN, 26-HOUR STRICT CUTOFF. 70K — 46 MILES, 10,000+ FT OF GAIN, 16-HOUR SOFT CUTOFF. WAUCHEESI CHALLENGE — 24 MILES, 5,000 FT CLIMB & DESCENT, 12-HOUR CUTOFF.
WHAT IS REQUIRED TO ENTER THE 130K?
YOU MUST HAVE FINISHED A 50K OR LONGER IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS.
WHAT IS THE MANDATORY GEAR?
WATER FILTER, GPX ON YOUR WATCH OR PHONE, ANTIHISTAMINE, HEADLAMP, AND WHISTLE.
CAN I GET A REFUND OR DEFER?
NO REFUNDS AND NO DEFERRALS.
WHEN DOES REGISTRATION CLOSE?
FRIDAY, JULY 16, 2027, AT 11:59 PM ET.
WHERE IS THE RACE?
TELLICO PLAINS, TENNESSEE, IN THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST.
