2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour Challenge Results

| June 2, 2025

Team Carolina XC, featuring riders Andy Carlson, Lee Hallman, Chase Hayes, Zack Hayes, Christian Scott and Justin Snipes, successfully defended their number-one plate by winning the 2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour Challenge, held from May 31 to June 1. They completed 42 laps with a total time of 24:14:07, finishing just over three minutes faster than the second-placed team.

Lee Hallman at 2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour — **Lee Hallman was a member of the winning Carolina XC Team at the Perry Mountain 24-Hour in Maplesville, Alabama.**

Story & Photos by Kenneth King

“It was a good race; we had no major issues at all,” said Zack Hayes. “A dead battery at night was it. Chase started us out, and the boys put in good consecutive laps. We got an early lead, then after lap five, Team Ibex Pro started swapping the lead with us, and it stayed that way the whole race. Chase rode the last two laps, and Team Ibex Pro had a 20 or so second lead on us going into the last lap. Chase managed to make the pass and get us the win.”

Zach also had the fastest lap of the race with a 30:15 on lap 40.

This year’s race was quite different from previous years. The area received a significant amount of rain in the week leading up to the race, which stopped on Friday, resulting in nearly perfect conditions. The rain also brought cooler temperatures, with the high barely reaching the mid-80s. This year was once again a sellout, with over 120 teams registered. It marked the 22nd year of the event. The course was an 11.4-mile mix of narrow trails and firebreaks.

Team Ibex Pro Elite finished in the runner-up spot. The team, consisting of Chase Bright, Andrew Clark, William Hall, Ty Kelley, Ensign Payne and Colby Yarbrough, completed 42 laps with a total time of 24:17:46.

Ty Kelley at 2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour — **Ty Kelley helped the Ibex Pro Elite Team to a second-place finish.**

“We swapped the lead with the Carolina team all day,” Clark said. “They would put some good laps in and pull in front, then we would do the same to them. We had a few hiccups at night with lighting issues, and we lost a few minutes. But when the sun came up, we had a pretty good lead, six or seven minutes, I think. But then, the Carolina team put in some crazy fast laps and ran us down. Going into the final lap, we had a 26-second lead. Colby Yarbrough was our rider, and he ended up getting dehydrated and almost passed out. He stopped for water, and they got around us.”

In third place was Team Busch Light Banditos, which included Christian Burdine, Josh Cetto, Sammy Dorris, Travis Hardcastle, Teddy Mullins and Geoffrey Sanders. They completed 39 laps and also finished first in the expert class.

“We had a great race with a good group of guys,” Hardcastle said. “The course was in good condition, and the club did an excellent job. We had zero issues, just riding smooth and steady. We just rode smart and kept it together. This was my fourth 24-hour race, and I think it’s the best one they have had.”

Fourth place went to Team Mama Tried – Max Motosports, consisting of Austin Anz, Dominic Goff, Rider Knight, Ty Roberts, Trent Smith and Zane Williams. They secured second place in the Expert category with 38 laps.

“We were second in class and fourth overall pretty much from lap two on,” Roberts said. “We fought all night with the Bandito team. Those guys are fast, and we kept them honest. We did make up time on them at night, but it wasn’t enough. No bike issues.”

Rounding out the top five and placing third was Team The Fast Boys, consisting of Caden Belcher, Hunter Higginbotham, Luke Higginbotham, Davian Hill, Owen Mock and Brandon Sanford.

Levi Riley at 2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour — **Levi Riley was the top solo rider.**

“We started out on the slow side with some bike problems,” Belcher said. “One of the bikes had to have its rear brakes swapped out, and another bike had engine issues, but we salvaged the situation with an excellent pit crew. Our night racing was perfect with no light issues. A big shout-out to Mark with Task Racing.”

Heath Harrison, a former professional motocross and Supercross rider, joined Team Vexon/NuMedic alongside riders Dillon Cook, Spencer Cook, Jordyn DuBose, Nathan Knight and Nolan Knight just about a week before the race. Harrison led on the first lap. The team finished sixth overall and first in the 30-plus category, despite receiving a five-minute penalty for speeding in the pits and Harrison running out of gas. He has competed in this race a few times, as well as the 24 Hours of Glen Helen.

“I did the Glen Helen race on a team with Ty Davis, and these two races are apples and oranges. Glen Helen is fast, and running the mountain ridges at night is scary, but they don’t have trees. I think I enjoyed this race more. A bit of a slower pace.”

In the Ironman class, Levi Riley, the defending class champion, took the win with 24 laps.

“I just tried to pace myself and not ride too fast,” Riley said. “My bike developed a coolant leak, and I slowed down some. I just wanted to finish. I did get my legs soaked in coolant.”

Ronnie Garcia and Jacob Denny finished closely behind with 23 laps.

Madison Allen at 2025 Perry Mountain 24-Hour — **Madison Allen was the Ironwoman winner.**

Madison Allen from Team 205 secured the Ironwoman win by finishing 12 laps.

Joel Deroche secured first place in the Ironman 40+ class with 22 laps.

The Perry Mountain Club presents an award at the halfway point for the team or individual in 33rd overall. This award honors Carl Ivey and his race number 33. Mr. Ivey has been a key supporter of the race since the beginning. This year, Team 76/Stallin And Fallin received the award along with a gift certificate for $333.33.