Hanging Man

You’re not here for ordinary, you’re here for unforgettable.

The Hanging Man was built for athletes who thrive on challenge and live for adventure.  

This is more than a triathlon. It’s a multi-stage endurance experience through some of North Carolina’s most beautiful landscapes.Every stage will push you harder. Every finish will make you stronger. And by the end, you won’t just have finished…you’ll have conquered. 

We kick things off at the Green Heron Ale House with a 30-mile bike ride that takes you out to the base of Sauratown Mountain, climbing the challenging Sauratown Mountain Road before looping back to the Ale House. From there, you’ll transition to the first run, heading up to the Hanging Rock bluffs trail and making your way toward the lake. The first 500-yard swim takes you across the lake, followed by a short run back to the swim start for a second 500-yard crossing.

Next, you’ll pass the bathhouse and beach before making your way up toward the campground and on to Moore’s Knob Tower—the highest point in the park, offering breathtaking panoramic views. From the tower, the ridge run takes you across rugged terrain, then back down and around the lake to the swim start.

Another 500-yard swim awaits, followed by a run around the lake to the swim start for yet another lake crossing. From there, you’ll run past the aid station, down to the waterfalls, and through the parking lot and trails to return to the bluffs.
Your final challenge: a swim in the Dan River, followed by the last run from the state park lot back to the Green Heron Ale House—where the finish line (and a well-earned celebration) await.

This is more than a triathlon. It’s a multi-stage endurance experience through some of North Carolina’s most beautiful landscapes—designed for those who want to push past limits and soak in every breathtaking mile.

Are you ready to conquer The Hanging Man?