A commitment to the ultra running community, adventures and conservation

(Photos by Rob Redding Photography and Brandon Thrower.)

By Henry Howard

Brandon Thrower would much rather be running through terrain without a race bib, time cutoff or a care in the world than participating in a race. But that doesn’t stop him from providing a great race day experience for runners as the race director of Tanawha Adventures.

He also is dedicated to conservation, especially in his community in western North Carolina (WNC). A commitment to the ultra running community and his passion for the environment made Thrower an easy pick for my monthly series honoring trail and ultra race directors.

In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great. Given the popularity of the series, I am continuing it in 2025. To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here.

Meet Brandon Thrower, Tanawha Adventures race director

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: I loved the trails in western North Carolina and back in the early 2010s, WNC did not have many races showcasing the awesome beauty our mountains held. I'm also very conservation-minded and wanted to help use our races as a tool to support local conservancies and trail maintenance groups.

Question: How did you get your start as an RD?

Answer: By accident really. I was hosting multiple fat-ass style runs in the early 2010s and then the RD for Table Rock Ultras asked me to help him redesign the course to add more trail. After I came up with the course he asked me to co-rd and I got sucked into it. Now I have 10 races each year.

Question: What's the most interesting thing you've learned about yourself since you became an RD?

Answer: I never thought I'd start a business. I really didn't think I had it in me growing up, but here we are 10-plus years later!

Question: What's your best piece of advice for someone who wants to become an RD?

Answer: Make awesome courses, build community and communicate really well.

Question: What's your favorite race to direct?

Answer: I love all my events, but my favorites are probably Grand-Further and Hellbender 100. These both represent opposite spectrums of what we do at Tanawha, but the short and difficult races are always fun, especially on a mountain as iconic as Grandfather Mountain. Hellbender 100 is such a hard event to host, but my team at Run828 Foundation makes this race feel like a breeze to hold. The community really rallies around that event and for good reason!

Question: What's your favorite race to run?

Answer: Ironically, I really don't care to race myself. I really prefer being out in the wilderness areas (where races aren't allowed) with friends and soaking in the views without the pressure of a clock.

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be ...

Answer: All of them, because they are all so unique and show off some of the best of WNC.

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works (new race, updated race, etc.)?:

Answer: Unfortunately, WNC was devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many of our routes and races needed to be altered or canceled in 2025. But, in that process, it did get me to pursue a race at Hanging Rock State Park, which is just an absolute gem of a park. I have a long history with this park, since it was the closest mountain to my childhood home. It was the second “real” mountain I summited, I worked there for a summer as a lifeguard at the lake, and it's still one of my go-tos for training when visiting family back home over the holidays. It is also just downright gorgeous and hard as nails. These are the basic elements of any Tanawha race and I'm glad to be able to add it to the lineup. The race is called HAROC, which stands for Hanging Rock Challenge. There is a 50K and half marathon option and folks are going to be stunned at how beautiful it is.

Question: Where can runners find out more about your races?

Answer: tanawhaadventures.com