The Rugged Red

10/03/2026

THANK YOU…

To all of our race participants, family members who showed up to support, volunteers, Powell County Search and Rescue, Wolfe County Search and Rescue, Middlefork Fire Department, Tricommunity Fire Department, RaceRise, Natural Bridge Campground, Hungry Hiker Staff, Powell County Tourism, Gorge Underground, Red River Gorge Ziplines, and everyone else in between.

This year’s race was a hit, and we truly hope everyone enjoyed it. Stay tuned for race photos coming soon!

See yall next year!!

09/28/2026

IT'S RUGGED RED WEEK!
We race 13.1 beautiful trail miles in RRG next Saturday

The Rugged Red Trail Half Marathon
Saturday, 10/3 at 7:15am at Natural Bridge Campground in Slade

Over 500 runners are registered. We still have room for YOU! Come join the fun and post-race party/celebration in the RRG!

REGISTER at https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Slade/TheRuggedRed

09/19/2026

THROWBACK TO LAST YEAR’S AMAZING RACE 🥹

Will YOU in this year’s photo?

This is a day of hard work, food, community, and celebration. Make the time to be a part of something memorable and fun!

💥 OCTOBER 3RD YA’LL!! 💥

09/15/2026

🤩 MEDALS ARE HERE 🤩

17 days until race day!

The 2026 Race includes:
•Lots of snacks
•Long sleeve T-shirt
•Finisher Medal
•Cool magnet
•Sticker
•Afterparty race meal 😍
•Plenty of fun adventure

Let’s go run Rugged Red of 2026!!

Sign up if you haven’t already ⬇️
https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Slade/TheRuggedRed

09/04/2026

Here’s our race shirts! 🐢

TURTLEY AWESOME RACE SWAG!

Claim your size while they last! Long sleeved Turtex blend race shirts for the 2026 The Rugged Red.

We race about one month from now on SAT, 10/3/26 at the Natural Bridge Campground in Slade.

Spaces are filling fast for this one of a kind trail 13.1!

REGISTER at https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Slade/TheRuggedRed

06/27/2026

ASCENT 2026 UPDATE:
DEAR RACERS WHO SHOWED UP TODAY:
I am SO sad we had to cancel today’s race. This was the last option we wanted to resort to.
I am passionate about running and all the dedication it takes to lead up to a race. The self-discipline, the training schedule, the meal planning, the time spent. I was ready to take this course head-on with all of you.
BUT, when the rain turns to thunder storms, and liability for injury is increasingly high, we have to put our hands up and surrender our control. The course is not a typical trail like Natural Bridge. It is intense, steeper, narrower, and closer to cliff line.
We had stated we run rain or shine, but this was more like storm or shine.
Your life is far more important than the risk that is associated with hosting this event in [not rainy, but] bad weather.
In case you missed the announcement, we are offering 4 options to make this right for everyone:
1. We are RESCHEDULING the race to SATURDAY, JULY 11th. SAME TIME -8AM 10K AND 8:15AM 5K SAME PLACE
2. We can defer your race to NEXT year’s annual ascent - JUNE 26th 2027
3. We can apply a CREDIT to the Rugged Red Half Marathon on Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
4. PARTICIPATE IN THE 2026 ASCENT VIRTUALLY.

All of these options are available with further detail in an email that went out.

Please feel free to message us with any further questions. I truly hope to see as many people on the 11th, and remember this was not the decision we wanted to make. 😔 I love you guys and appreciate everyone’s willingness to stay positive.
Yours Truly,
Clara and Ian
Race Coordinators

06/26/2026

Race is ON. The rain will make this steep repel more fun tomorrow 🤩
See ya at the race ✌️

06/24/2026

DEAR ASCENT RACERS OF 2026:
A few things to mention if you happen to miss the pre-race email and want a summarized version 😁

1. If you've raced with us before, you know the best spot of the course is the hammock; so don't fall asleep and forget to finish the race within the 4 hour time limit.
2. RAIN = RUN. LIGHTNING= NO RUN
3. Even though you're about to embark on cliffline terrain, mud, and steep hills, your safety comes first. Stay on the course. SAR will be present.
4. Don't make the mistake of wearing your new White Brooks Ghost Running shoes. The race coordinator might've done this already and might've cried. Don't repeat her mistake- wear old gear that could get ruined.
5. The T-Shirt colors are varied and first come first serve, which means no fighting plz.
6. Early race check-in is Friday 3-6, and Saturday 6:30am-7:55am. You are allowed to pick up for your friends.
7. Keep in mind this is a trail run; there will be about 1100 feet of elevation, ropes, and stairs. Pace yourself so you aren't gassed by the time you reach the top of the first hill. There will be plenty more of those to follow.
8. The Ascent is our smaller scaled race compared to the Rugged Red. We hope this gives you an idea on how to prep for it for when we see you again in October.
9. Most importantly of all, be prepared to embrace nature and enjoy this race. We love our racers. It will be muddy✌️

05/09/2026

Someone showed up for Rugged Red conditioning today...Did YOU?

Don't worry, there's still 4 months and 23 days to prepare!

Get your spot today ⬇
https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Slade/TheRuggedRed

04/28/2026

We’re at a record for number of signups already! While not as big as the Rugged Red, it’s on the same trail and gives you a “taste” of what’s to come in October! We hope you can join!

Here it is!!! ⬇️
https://runsignup.com/Race/KY/Slade/TheAscent5k