FAN DANCE 2027

FAN DANCE 8 / 16: $95 / $115 to Saturday, October 31. $105 / $125 from Sunday, November 1.

Date: Saturday, March 13, 2027

Location: Cold Mountain, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

Distance: 8 miles | 16 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,768 ft | 3,996 ft

Categories: Runner | Light 10 lbs | Heavy 25 lbs

MISSION

Choose a distance and a category: Runner with no required weight, Light with 10 lbs dry or Heavy with 25 lbs dry. Pass and Dog Tag times are the same for all three categories.

FAN DANCE 8

8 miles (+/-) with about 1,768 ft of climbing.

Pass: Under 5 hours (about 37:30 per mile).

Dog Tag: Under 4 hours (about 30:00 per mile).

FAN DANCE 16

16 miles (+/-) with about 3,996 ft of climbing.

Pass: Under 7 hours 30 minutes (about 28:08 per mile).

Dog Tag: Under 6 hours 30 minutes (about 24:22 per mile).

AWARDS

Dog Tag: Finish inside the Dog Tag time for your distance to earn the FAN DANCE Dog Tag.

Pass: Finish inside the pass time for an official FAN DANCE completion.

Outside the pass time: A handshake and a hug.

EXECUTION

Brief: 0730 at Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead. Mandatory. No late starts.

Step off: 0800 sharp.

Start and finish: Art Loeb/Cold Mountain Trailhead.

Route: Both routes start and finish in Pisgah National Forest. Complete the route you entered.

Navigation: Download your AllTrails route for offline use before the event: FAN DANCE 8 | FAN DANCE 16.

Checkpoints: None. You are responsible for staying on your route and carrying everything you need to complete it safely.

SITUATION

Cold Mountain, Pisgah National Forest: steep forest trails, sustained climbing and the mountain terrain that made FAN DANCE one of GBF's defining endurance events.

The 8-mile route climbs about 1,768 ft. The full 16-mile FAN DANCE climbs almost 4,000 ft and saves some of its hardest work for late in the day, when tired legs meet the climb toward Cold Mountain.

PREPARE

Work out the pace you need against the pass and Dog Tag times with the Pace Planner. Prepare covers dry weight, ways to make ruck weight and downloading AllTrails routes.

EQUIPMENT

Load: Runner carries no required weight. Light carries 10 lbs dry and Heavy 25 lbs dry, in a ruck. No weighted vests or sandbags.

Water: Carry enough for your distance plus an emergency reserve. Bottled water at the finish only.

Rations: Minimum 3 bars and 0.5 L water as an emergency reserve. Carry enough nutrition for your route.

Medical: Personal kit required. Disclose medical conditions to GBF staff before the start.

Withdrawal: Contact GBF staff and follow their instructions. Extraction may be delayed depending on location and terrain.

Kit list: Standard GBF kit. See the GBF Standard Equipment List (PDF).

SAFETY AND RULES

Conditions: The routes reach about 5,000 ft on FAN DANCE 8 and 6,100 ft on FAN DANCE 16. Prepare for fast-changing weather and possible cold in March.

Terrain: Sustained climbing, steep descents, uneven trail and difficult footing.

Navigation: Have your AllTrails route downloaded and available offline before you start.

• Required Light and Heavy weight is carried dry at all times.

• Weight cannot be disposable items such as water, food, stones or anything meant to be used or discarded.

• Candidates are solo and self-sufficient. No outside assistance while on course unless directed by GBF staff.

• Follow your selected FAN DANCE route.

• No switching to a shorter route after starting to record a finish.

• No vehicle or other transport may be used to gain an advantage.

• Finish within the pass time for your distance to record an official FAN DANCE completion.

ADMIN

Cancellations: GBF voucher only. Request it 30 or more days before the event. Vouchers are valid for one year.

Event changes: Route and timing remain at staff discretion.

Contact: info@GreenBeretFitness.com

TICKETS

To October 31, 2026: $95 / $115

From November 1, 2026: $105 / $125

From December 1, 2026: $115 / $135

Prices shown as FAN DANCE 8 / FAN DANCE 16. Runner, Light and Heavy pay the same within each distance.

NEXT ON THE PATH

From FAN DANCE, the next rung is INYO 2027, GBF's destination event in the Eastern Sierra: 6, 14 or 26 miles on Saturday, August 21, 2027. The other entry events are BIGFOOT 2027 on Saturday, June 19, and ELK FALLS 2027 on Saturday, September 18.