Pine Mountain Trail Run

Description:

The race will start at the Group Shelter on Lake Delanor Rd. The park gate will open at 4:45 am. F. D. Roosevelt State Park is located just off I-185 near Callaway Gardens, west of Warm Springs, on Ga. Route 190, or south of Pine Mountain off U.S. Hwy. 27.

All vehicles require an annual Georgia State Park pass or $5 daily paid pass. Every vehicle, everywhere in the park (this is important!) To save space in the park and maybe a few bucks, please carpool!

Cutoffs
Given the difficult terrain of this course (rocks, anyone?), we are allowing an additonal half-hour for an official start time of 6:00AM. This means you must maintain a 15:39/mile pace from start to finish. For those who may require a bit more of a time cushion, we will have an early start option at 5:30AM. In order for this to happen, please note the following:

Cutoffs will be strictly enforced. Cutoff times for the 46-mile race will be generous to start and tighter toward the finish. If you are not sure you can go 20 miles in 6 hours, please consider the 19-mile distance. You must be through the aid station and on the trail BY the given time. If a station closes at 2:00PM, for example, you need to be through and on the trail at 1:59 or Franco will start throwing sandwiches at you.

ALL runners must be through Fox Den on their way back to the finish by 4:30 and be prepared to move!

Drops
If you drop, you MUST let an aid station captain know. If we are on the trail after dark looking for you and you’re at the shelter eating BBQ, we will not be very happy. If you drop and receive transport back to the start before a volunteer can take you, please let the aid station captain know this as well.

Crew
Crew may access their runner at every stop or aid station EXCEPT the first and last road crossings, Chestnut Oak and Buzzard’s Roost. Crew may only access their runner AT the aid station. If you require help by your crew or wish to sit, please move off the trail so other runners and hikers can easily pass through. Because you have the option to see your crew every few miles if you so please, this is a pacerless race.

Aid Stations
We will have water, Gatorade, and standard aid station sweet and salty snacks. We will not provide NSAIDS or other medications, so please keep any medically necessary items on your person. If you have dietary concerns, we encourage you to wear a pack or belt to carry your own fluids and calories, or pack a light drop bag. Some aid stations may have additional treats. Try not to offend any chefs. We are not liable if Franco throws a sandwich at you.

Drop Bags
Drop bags will be accessible at Dowdell Knob for the 46-mile runners. Bags need to be lightweight, weather-resistant, easy to find, and very clearly labeled with your last name and bib number. Please do not pack your entire running wardrobe or kitchen pantry (we have grilled cheese!), or anything valuable or breakable. If you drop and need your bag, you are responsible for retrieving it from Dowdell Knob by 3:00PM or you can get it at the finish line sometime after that. If you drop at Dowdell, you’ll take your bag with you when you get a ride or are transported by volunteers to the start. We are not responsible for lost or broken items.

Required Gear
Annual State Park or paid Day Pass for every vehicle in all areas of the park. (Again, this is important, especially if we want to keep having this race!)

Headlamp/flashlight: A light will be required at the start for both distances. All runners may drop their light at Fox Den, however if you are off the course before the station closes we might not have returned them to the start yet. Any runner of either distance leaving Fox Den after 3:30 will be required to retrieve their headlamp (and must show it is working) in order to be allowed to leave the aid station.

Strongly Recommended Gear
Gloves, hat, jacket and/or warm layer. Some years it’s close to 70 degrees, other years it’s been in the 40s and dumped rain all day. Recommended gear may become required gear if the weather turns nasty, so be prepared and at least have items with you. You can always drop them at Fox Den or with your bag at Dowdell Knob.

Hydration: Handhelds or vest with bottles and/or bladder.

Whistle: You won’t be very far from people at any given time, but we’ll find you a lot quicker if you’re hurt if we can hear you!

Septic-safe TP: There are no bathrooms along the course, just “lots of trees”, according to Pine Mountain Trail Association.

Park map: Download to your phone or carry a paper copy with you. Wrong turns happen. Know how to get back on course!