Blue Ridge Ultra
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Trail Running in the Chattahoochee National Forest
The Blue Ridge Ultra is a trail running event held in the North Georgia Mountains. The race tracks start and finish at the historic Shallowford iron bridge crossing the Toccoa River in Blue Ridge, Georgia. The courses lead participants through the Chattahoochee National Forest, featuring a mix of terrain including singletrack trails, creek crossings, and forest service roads.
The event offers three distinct distances:
- 50K: A loop consisting of 23 miles on the Benton MacKaye Trail, 2 miles of hidden paths, and 6 miles of forest service roads.
- 30K: A course following the Benton MacKaye Trail that climbs over various mountain peaks before returning via forest service roads.
- 15K: A shorter route that utilizes the Benton MacKaye Trail and Forest Service Road 45.
A specific Canine Run is available for the 15K distance, allowing participants to run with their dogs. This category begins five minutes after the standard 15K start.
The terrain includes technical sections with steep ascents and descents over mountains such as Free Knob, Garland Mountain, Brawley Mountain, and Tipton Mountain. The 50K course reaches the summit of Rhodes Mountain via the Duncan Ridge trail.
Participants have access to six fully stocked aid stations along the course. The organizer provides live race results, a finisher medal, and a post-race meal prepared by the Ironbridge Cafe. Drop bag services are available for 50K runners at specific aid stations. Operating under a special use permit, the event takes place during the autumn season as the leaves change color. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
