Cruel Jewel 50
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Cruel Jewel 50
The Cruel Jewel 50 is a point to point trail ultramarathon held in the Chattahoochee National Forest in the North Georgia Mountains on May 15, 2027. The event is reported as approximately 56 to 58 miles and runs from Byron Herbert Reece Heritage Farm in Blairsville to Camp Morganton in Blue Ridge.
The course combines trail and mountain road sections, described as about 50 miles of singletrack trails and roughly 6 miles of mountain roads, with 10 staffed aid stations along the route. Terrain features include technical singletrack, ferns and old growth poplar, steep ascents and descents, ridge lines, rocks and roots, a historic steel bridge over the Toccoa River, and a section called the Dragon’s Spine. The course lists roughly 15,000 feet of elevation gain and 15,000 feet of elevation loss.
Logistics note that a paid shuttle from the finish to the start is available and requires a reserved spot. Race packet pickup is offered on multiple days at Camp Morganton and at the start area. Blue Ridge, GA is the closest town for lodging; Camp Morganton also offers primitive campsites and dormitory style bunks available on a first come, first served basis. Temperatures in May can vary and are commonly in the range of 50°F to 75°F with the possibility of rain.
Key rules include no littering, no pacers, staying on the marked course, checking in at each aid station, receiving aid only at designated stations, and that scoring for awards is by gender designated on a government issued ID. Trekking poles are allowed. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.