Crew & Pacers
​Crew members and pacers are essential to the Georgia Jewel. They offer presence when energy fades, clarity when decisions feel heavy, and encouragement when forward motion becomes a choice. This page exists to help you support your runner well while keeping the race safe, fair, and respectful of the trail and community.
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To help you plan your race timing, check out ultraPacer, a planning tool for mapping exact crew and pacer meetup times.
Crew Guidelines
*All this can also be found in the runner handbook
Crew support is allowed only at designated aid stations. These locations are chosen carefully to protect runners, volunteers, and the trail. Please don't attempt to meet runners at any other point along the course.
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Crew members should remain alert and cautious when driving between aid stations. Roads are narrow, cell service is limited, and runners may be crossing unexpectedly. Safety comes first.
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Please note that crew access is not permitted at:
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John’s Mountain
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Stover Creek
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Powerlines
In the past, well-meaning supporters have driven to restricted areas and offered aid from their vehicles. While generous, this creates real risk and isn't allowed. If you have friends who want to be that helpful, we encourage them to volunteer. They'll be welcomed with open arms.
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Runners are responsible for ensuring their crew understands and follows these guidelines.
Parking, Aid, & Driving
Parking
Each runner will receive one parking tag. Only one vehicle per runner is allowed at each crew-accessible aid station.
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There is a $5 parking fee at Dry Creek. If you are crewing a 100-mile runner and plan to meet them there, please arrive prepared to pay the fee. The Forest Service plans for these funds based on our runner count, and paying them is part of honoring our use of this space.
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No Aid Outside Aid Stations
Aid may only be given at official aid stations and designated crew points. Receiving aid elsewhere will result in disqualification.
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This rule protects the fairness of the race and the safety of everyone on course. We mean this clearly and without exception.
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Driving and Navigation
Cell service is extremely limited throughout the course. Crew members should print directions or save screenshots before leaving the Dalton Convention Center.
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Dry Creek has no cell service. GPS will bring you to the trail system entrance, but from there you'll need to follow posted signs to the equestrian parking lot.
The simplest approach is to stay left at each fork and follow the signs.
A trail system map can be found here:
Driving Directions (for crew and pacers)
Driving can be tricky and when it gets dark, so do those back roads. PLEASE ensure your crew and pacers have familiarized themselves with the map. ​We recommend using GPS coordinates for navigation. Trailheads don't have mailing addresses.
All Compiled Directions
Convention Center to Snake
Snake Creek Trailhead Coordinates: 34.664175, -85.059646
Snake Creek to Dry Creek
Dry Creek Coordinates 34.578140, -85.130040
*100 Milers Only
Dry Creek to Pocket Rd. Aid Station (Keown Falls)
Keown Falls Coordinates 34.613500, -85.088319
Pocket to Snake Creek
Snake Creek Coordinates: 34.664175, -85.059646
*50 Milers
Dry Creek to Snake
Start is at Dry Creek Equestrian Parking Lot
Dry Creek Coordinates 34.578140, -85.130040
Snake Creek to Dalton Convention Center
Convention Center Coordinates: 34.758513, -85.006347
Pacers
Pacers are welcome and encouraged for longer distances. Having a steady presence late in the race can change the entire experience. Crew members and pacers shape the tone of the race as much as the runners do. When you show up prepared, patient, and kind, you help create the experience this course deserves.
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All pacers MUST follow these rules:
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Pacers may only meet runners at designated pacer locations.
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Each runner may have only one pacer at a time.
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Pacers may not enter or leave the course at any location other than designated pacer aid stations.
Special allowance:
100-mile runners age 65 and older may take a pacer starting at outbound Snake Creek Gap (31.2 miles).
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Pacers and Aid
Our volunteers give their time and energy to care for runners. Pacers are welcome to refill bottles or grab a small snack, but they should carry their own primary fuel. Unless a volunteer offers, pacers should remain self-sufficient.
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This allows volunteers to focus fully on the runner.
Pacer Locations
Vehicle Access for Pacers
Forest Service regulations do not allow vehicles to be left at pacer locations. Pacers must be dropped off.
For 100-mile runners, pacers may be dropped at Pocket Road. Crew vehicles are not permitted to remain there.
50 Mile Pacer Access
Snake Creek Gap 31.2 miles
100 Mile Pacer Access
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Dry Creek Loop #2 50 miles
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Dry Creek Loop #3 57.2 miles
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Dry Creek Loop #4 63.9 miles
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Pocket Road Return 74.7 miles
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Snake Creek Gap Return 81.2 miles