On a beautiful spring Monday morning 600 cyclists raced to the highest summit in the eastern USA at the 47th Assault on Mount Mitchell gran fondo in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

Jonathan Patterson, 35, was the first to reach the 2037M summit of Mount Mitchell after 166 kilometers of racing through The Carolinas. Patterson reached the finish in 5:20:58, after riding away from all challengers on the final 45km climb. James Tobias was next at 5:40:08, followed by veteran racer Patrick Brittain at 5:48:28.

Hannah Gibson, 34, was the first woman to reach the finish line, completing the race in 6:16:42. Katherine Welling and Lauren Hyer claimed the final podium steps in 6:19:45 and 6:25:38 respectively.

The 103km medio fondo event, excluding the leg breaking climb up Mount Mitchell, was won by Collen Mathern (3:10:21) for the men and Catherine Burton (4:44:54) for the women.

In 2023 61 year-old former world champion Randy Warren won the Assault on Mount Mitchell in 5:40:00.

Started in 1975, the annual race typically takes place on the third Monday in May starting from Spartanburg, South Carolina. Over 650 competitors participated this year.

Complete Assault on Mount Mitchell results HERE.

Photo Credit: William Woody

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