Course Options: Full: 84 hours · 84 laps · 100.8 miles · 50,400 ft elevation gain/loss Basic: 24 hours · 24 laps · 28.8 miles · 14,400 ft elevation gain/loss
Each lap: 1.2 miles with 600 feet of vertical gain and loss—on the hour, every hour.
Inspiration: The IronHike Answer the Bell Ultra is a summit-by-summit battle of purpose, discipline, and resilience. Whether you’re committing to four relentless days or diving into a concentrated 24-hour trial, this challenge strips away distractions and reveals your inner resolve. This event is loosely modelled after the new "backyard" or "last runner standing" ultras. Show up every hour on the hour. Answer the bell until you no longer can. You have an 84-hour (full) or a 24-hour (basic) window to see how many times you can Answer the Bell.
Significance: From midnight starts to midday pushes, through darkness, fatigue, and doubt—you’ll hike, climb, and reset, hour after hour, in pursuit of something greater than a summit: a deeper connection to your mission, your limits, and your strength.
Participation: Individual Mountain Athletes only.
Purpose: This event fuels impact. Whether you're trekking for wounded veterans, raising funds for medical research, or showing up for a personal cause—the Answer the Bell Ultra transforms effort into service and miles into meaning.
