Kismet Cliff Run Guide

The Little Beast 5 Miler is a genuine trail challenge on its own, with two tough ascents through the roller-coaster terrain of Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges. The Beast of the East Half Marathon runs that same course, then adds a full loop over North Moat Mountain up the exposed granite of Red Ridge, about 2,000 feet of climbing on that section alone, for over 4,300 feet of total vertical across 13.1 miles. It is called a contender for toughest half marathon anywhere for a reason: the terrain is steep, technical Conway granite, and the Red Ridge section is fully exposed to weather.

No. The race states this plainly: there are no cutoff times, because there is no way to pull runners off this course once they are on it. That is part of the appeal for a lot of people, a genuine backcountry mountain effort without a clock chasing you, but it also means you are responsible for your own pace, hydration, and gear on a remote, technical route. Come prepared to be self-sufficient.

The race recommends a hydration vest rather than a single handheld, since you are covering technical terrain with real vertical and exposure. Bring food or salt tabs, a small med kit, your phone, and a rain or wind jacket, since the Red Ridge section on the Beast is fully exposed to weather. Trekking poles are allowed on the Half Marathon only, and only after the second aid station at mile 4.1, not from the start.

Not without it costing you an official finish. The Little Beast and Beast of the East share a course up to a point, and if you drop down to the shorter distance at that split, it counts as a DNF for the Half. The race's own framing on this is straightforward: make good choices before the split, not at it.

Over 4,300 feet of vertical across roughly 13.1 miles, per the official course description. That figure includes the full Little Beast course (Cathedral and Whitehorse Ledges, two tough ascents) plus the additional North Moat Mountain loop up the granite of Red Ridge, about a 2,000 foot climb on its own. The Little Beast 5 Miler's own vertical is not published as a separate number.

This is the race's debut year in the Merrell Skyrunner USA Series, with $20,000 in prize money on the line. It is also worth knowing the race sells out, so if the White Mountains cliff-scramble format appeals to you, do not wait to register on UltraSignup.