Sparta Jockey 502er
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Sparta Jockey 502er
The Sparta Jockey 502er is an unsupported solo race across the state of North Carolina on May 10, 2027. The route begins in Sparta and finishes at Jockey's Ridge State Park near Nags Head. Participants must carry their own supplies and manage their own logistics while following the published course.
Racers park in Waco, NC at the race director's residence in a secured, monitored site and are transported to the Sparta post office for the start. Entrants have 336 hours / 14 days to complete the route. All finishers receive a custom finisher award and may purchase a finishers hoodie reserved for those who complete the full distance.
The event uses intermediate cutoffs to monitor progress: cutoffs occur every 37 miles beginning on May 11. Missing one cutoff results in a warning; missing a second cutoff leads to removal for safety. The race team may disqualify participants for littering, riding in a car, criminal activity, or other unsafe acts.
Organizers note that mountain weather can become cold and dangerous; the race team will monitor runners and provide warming vehicles or other safety measures when needed, while maintaining the self-supported nature of the event. Finishers receive hotel accommodation near Nags Head as part of entry and are shuttled back to their cars on a roughly 24 to 36 hour schedule. The full route is published on the organizer website and on MapMyRun. No refunds are issued after registration; deferrals are considered case by case. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
