Jump Off Rock 10k – October 22, 2011 – Laurel Park – Hendersonville, NC

This looks like a really cool 10k race that runs up to Jump Off Rock in Laurel Park (greater Hendersonville) and back. If you’re not familiar with Jump Off Rock:

Jump Off Rock is a scenic overlook which provides a panoramic view of rolling pastures, the Blue Ridge and Pisgah mountain ranges. Jump Off Rock also holds an Indian legend that has been passed down for many, many years. Over 300 years ago a young Cherokee Indian Chief fell in love with a fair Indian maiden. They often met on top of the rock ledge overlooking the valley below. When the young Chief was called to war, the maiden promised him that she would wait for his return from they favorite rock ledge. When the maiden received word that her young Indian Chief had been killed in battle, she climbed to the edge of the rock and jumped off, tribal hunters found her broken body below. Indian legend has it that on moonlit nights you can see the ghost of the maiden on Jump Off Rock.

So the stage is set. Here are comments from the race organizer:

The race starts at 9 a.m. at Jones Gap Baptist Church. Day of registration runs from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m. The race fee is $20 if registered by October 15, or $25 at the race.

“The race is a 10K (6.2 mile) out and back starting and finishing near the church. The first half is basically uphill to the peak and then a nice long downhill finish,” said Chris Power, co-director of the event.

From what I’ve read, it sounds like a gradual uphill rather than an extreme “killer” uphill. The surface is all asphalt, and here is a map of the course:

Additional Links

Online registration at Active.com.
Jump Off Rock Paper Registration Form
Jump Off Rock Facebook Event Page