Fayetteville, Arkansas – Mt. Kessler Trails
What do you get when you mix mountain bikers, trail runners, campfires, and a 25-hour race that pushes the limits of endurance?
You get The Beast of Burden — one of the toughest and most community-driven endurance events in the Ozarks.
This past season, Team Apex — made up of Adriana, Rachel, Greg, and Nick — took on the challenge in Fayetteville, AR, racing through rugged singletrack, steep climbs, and unpredictable fall weather.
The Event
Hosted at Mt. Kessler, Beast of Burden is a 25-hour endurance race that combines mountain biking, trail running, and strategy. Teams and solo athletes alternate between loops from Saturday noon to Sunday noon, fighting fatigue, weather, and the clock.
What makes it special is the atmosphere — live music, bonfires, and the kind of camaraderie that keeps you pedaling through the night. All proceeds go toward local trail preservation and development, keeping the Fayetteville outdoor scene thriving.
The Challenge
This year, the Beast lived up to its name. Heavy storms rolled through the Ozarks, drenching the trails and making every lap a battle.
Despite the tough conditions, our Apex team stayed focused and consistent — managing transitions, pacing smart, and staying positive even as the weather turned.
After nearly a full day of racing, the event was forced to cancel four hours before the official cutoff due to worsening storms.
At the time of cancellation, Team Apex was leading the standings — securing first place overall.
More Than a Race
What made this event special wasn’t just the win — it was the shared effort. Between midnight laps, muddy climbs, and laughter around the fire pits, we were reminded why we race: to test our limits, to celebrate grit, and to lift each other up.
The storm may have stopped the race, but it didn’t stop the spirit.
Coming Back for More
We’re proud of what we accomplished — and we’re not done.
In 2025, Team Apex will return to Mt. Kessler to defend our title and take on the Beast once again.
Because at Apex, whether on the job site or the race course, our mindset is the same:
Build with purpose. Push past limits. Leave nothing unfinished.