RACE DAY INFO
This is an incredibly fun, safe and scenic trail race. While this is not a flat race, your efforts are rewarded with views! You will run around a picturesque lake, by the jaw dropping Anna Ruby Falls and traverse miles of single track. Seasoned veterans and trail newbies alike, get ready for one of the most memorable trail races you'll ever run!
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10k course is hiker and walker friend.
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10k overall cutoff is 4 hours and 30 minutes.
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25k overall cutoff is 5 hours and 30 minutes.
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Must meet cutoff time of 3.5 hours at the water drop/aid station 8 miles into the course for the 25k.
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50k overall cutoff is 11 hours (check aid station matrix for additional cutoffs throughout the race).
Registration Includes: MUST BE REGISTERED BY OCT 31 FOR SWAG
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Pint Glass
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Finisher Medal for all finishers
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Race Day Photos - free to download!
Race Start Time & Location
Saturday-January 16th, 2027 - 8:00 AM
Google Maps Link
Unicoi Bottoms Rd - marked with signs on race day
(Coming from Helen, this is the first RIGHT after you pass the Unicoi Lodge.)
Helen, GA 30545
34°43'11.7"N 83°43'25.0"W
34.719909, -83.723604
1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA 30545
Parking is $10 per vehicle cash only - FREE with GA State Parks Pass
Weekend Schedule
Packet Pickup:
Friday, January 15, 2027
5:00PM to 7:00 PM (non-mandatory)
Adventure Camp (Start/Finish location)
1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA 30545
Race Morning:
Saturday, January 16, 2027
Packet pickup 6:30 AM to 7:30 AM
Pre-race meeting 7:45 AM
Race starts at 8:00 AM
Directions
To get to the start finish from Helen, GA.
GA-17 N/GA-75 N/N Main St to GA 356, stay on GA 356 for two miles, turn right on Bottoms Rd
The start/finish is located at the big field on Bottoms Rd Within Unicoi State Park.
Google Maps Link
Race Information
The 10k we welcome walkers.
The 25k if you're a fast hiker and jog the downhills you can do but we keep a strict 5.5 hour cutoff time to hike the entire 16 mile course which features 2,700ft of climbing and some technical trails.
The 25k is not for walkers or folks who are going couch to 25k or folks who do not regularly go on trails trying to walk this.
--There is an additional cutoff at mile 8 for the 25k and you must be to that point by 3.5 hours into the race.
Aid Stations:
*10k- NO AID
*25k- 1 Aid Station
*50k- 3 Full Aid Stations & 1 Water Drop
NO EARY STARTS!
You are responsible for following course markings. There are road crossings, so please be alert for passing cars.
We welcome back of the packers but to make the cutoff you might need to be run / walking the flats and downhills.
Course Description
The 10k route features rolling hills. If you are new to trail running, we advise you to hike the uphills. The 10k race has 400ft of elevation gain and 400ft of elevation loss.
The 25k route contains roughly 2,700ft of elevation gain and the same descent. The first half of the race runs one long extended climb to the top of a gap, the second half is one long extended descent back down. You will experience rolling hills on the climb up and descent down.
The 50k route will be the 25k course and then it will run a 3x loop from the start/finish that was the back half of the 25k course. This will make it great for crew/drop bags. The 50k route has approximately 5,500ft of gain and loss.
-Drop bags available at the Start/Finish Area for 50k runners.
*Drop bags are to be brought to the start of the race and will be put outside (no covering from the elements)--you will hit this area with your drop bags at mile 16.5, 23 and the finish.
-NO PACERS
Where to stay
The beautiful Unicoi State Park & Lodge is the perfect place to stay, just a short walk from the start/finish area!!
Notes From Run Bum
Reminder–We are a cupless race. If you need a cup to carry for liquids (soda, etc. at the aid stations) we suggest this cup: https://a.co/d/gyDoVTU
Link above is for the Salomon Soft Cup Speed: 5oz collapsible race cup.
