9th Poor Mountain Hill Climb

Roanoke County will host the ninth annual Poor Mountain Hill Climb challenge in Roanoke, Virginia, just ten miles west of the city.

On October 5, racers will tackle a 6.75 mile long climb with 3,000 feet of climbing. For the first 1.5 miles, the course is paved and climbs gently. A wall of a half-mile of 13% grade (paved) then follows before a final four miles of hard packed dirt with some rocks over a grade ranging from 7 to 10%, with a few shorter, steeper sections. At the end, racers climb 0.75 miles with grades of 15 to 16%.

Last year's event was won by Jeremiah Bishop, who set a course record of 37 minutes and 16 seconds.