Climb It For Climate

Climb It For Climate returns to Highmount, New York on August 16th, 2026, offering runners the opportunity to tackle Belleayre Mountain in support of The Catskill Center's environmental initiatives. This year marks another installment in a tradition that has seen increasing participation since its inception, with this being a USATF Sanctioned Event and featuring new additions like an early hiking start for those wishing to explore at their own pace without the pressure of race cutoffs.
The setting on race day is Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, situated within the Catskill Mountains. At just under 3500 feet in elevation, this formidable mountain offers breathtaking views that change with every turn along its challenging terrain. Runners can expect a mix of trails and paths winding through dense forests and open meadows, providing both technical sections to navigate and expansive vistas for runners to enjoy.
Climb It For Climate is renowned not just for the scenic beauty it showcases but also for its commitment to raising awareness about climate change in the Catskill region. Over the years, the event has grown from a small local gathering into an important community fixture with hundreds of participants each year. The race's proceeds benefit environmental conservation efforts through donations collected during registration and raffle sales.
The course features rugged mountain trails with significant elevation changes. For the 25K distance, runners can anticipate approximately fifteen miles of challenging terrain that includes both ascent and descent over a total gain of around five thousand feet. A shorter but no less demanding option is available in the form of an eight-kilometer race covering about five miles with fourteen hundred feet of climb and drop. Both courses are mapped out on Gaia GPS, providing detailed insights for training purposes.
On race day, runners can expect firm yet slightly soft trail conditions underfoot, which will require careful foot placement but should offer a manageable surface throughout the event’s duration. UV index is expected to be high at 7.0 during peak daylight hours, so sun protection measures such as sunscreen and sunglasses are essential for all participants.

In addition to these challenging mountain courses, Climb It For Climate also offers an early hiking start option beginning at 6 AM on the morning of August 16th, followed by regular race starts for both distances: the 25K kicks off at 8:30 AM and the 8K begins promptly at 9:30 AM. Bib pickup will be available from 7:30 AM until 9 AM.
Registration is open online via the link [https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130331](https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=130331) with fees set at $76.00 for the 25K and $51.00 for the 8K distance. Participants must register by July 1st to ensure their spot in this highly anticipated event.
For race day, all runners should meet at Belleayre Mountain Ski Center located on Galli Curci Road Highmount NY 12441. Age requirements are set with no specific age limit beyond needing the physical capability and endurance for mountain running. First-time participants will need to bring photo ID and a completed waiver form if not already submitted online.
Climb It For Climate in Highmount, New York on August 16th, 2026, stands as a testament to community engagement with environmental causes through the challenging yet rewarding experience of mountain running.