Experience the Quirky History of Sports in Asheville, NC

Asheville, North Carolina is known for its vibrant arts scene and outdoor activities but did you know it also has a rich sports history? The citys love of sports dates back to the late 1800s when baseball was king.

One of the most notable events in Ashevilles sporting past is the exhibition game between Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig at McCormick Field (30 Buchanan Pl., Asheville). On April 4th, 1931 these two baseball legends played an exhibition game against each other that drew thousands of fans. Today, visitors can tour McCormick Field and see where Ruth hit his famous home run.

Another piece of Ashevilles sporting past is boxing legend Ray Charles Leonard. Born in Wilmington but raised in Haywood County, Sugar Ray Leonard took up boxing as a teenager after discovering a local gym. He went on to win multiple Olympic medals before becoming one of the greatest boxers in history; he retired with a record of 3631. Visitors can learn more about Leonard at his namesake park (168 Harmon Dr., Arden), which features a mural depicting his career.

No exploration into Ashevilles sporting past would be complete without mentioning Americas oldest road race The Mount Mitchell Challenge (67 Parkway Crescent Drive #103A). Established in 1979 runners take on almost five vertical miles from downtown Black Mountain to Mount Mitchell State Park nearly reaching an elevation over one mile above sea level! While certainly not for everyone this epic challenge reflects Ashevillians adventurous spirits and love for their rugged mountain terrain.

Lastly, we cannot forget about Biltmore Estates Hunting Legacya piece that exemplifies both ecological conservation practices and traditional Southern hunting culture . From November through February guests are invited to join estate guides as they share stories from Fredrick Law Olmsted who designed the estate grounds to George Vanderbilt who began hunting with his father at age 15.

Ashevilles sports history might not be as wellknown as its arts and outdoor scenes, but it is just as rich and nuanced. A visit to McCormick Field or Sugar Ray Leonard Park offers a glimpse into Ashevillians love of baseball and boxing while the Mount Mitchell Challenge will show you their adventurous sides. And perhaps most importantly, Biltmores Hunting Legacy reflects a quintessential piece of Southern culture that remains vibrant in Asheville today!

Websites:

McCormick Field: https://www.milb.com/asheville

Sugar Ray Leonard Park: https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/depts/parks/facilities/sugarrayleonardpark.aspx

Mount Mitchell Challenge: https://blackmountainmarathon.com/mountmitchellchallenge/

Biltmore Estate Hunting Legacy:

https://biltmoreestate.com/experiences/activities/huntinglegacyexperience