Runners start bright and early from the Dalton Convention Center Parking Lot. They’ll run up and out making their way up a section of power lines before following the Pinhoti through what we call the “Rock Garden”. Runners will quickly figure out finding a stride is impossible in this section as the rocks are different shapes and sizes and require thoughtful running.

 

Once through, runners get some beautiful ridgeline (while enjoying the sunrise) and come down to the Snake Creek Gap Trailhead road crossing. We help them avoid getting hit by cars who like to stare at crazy runners and continue on towards Keown Falls.

 

Keown Falls is a fun section of climbing, climbing and climbing some more. There are rock caves and waterfalls to be enjoyed (at least this time around.) Runners then make their way up to John’s Mountain where the view is just…well…it just is.

 

Once fueled up runners get to bomb down the mountain and head for the Dry Creek Trail system.

 

Dry Creek is pretty amazing. Think of a forest with tall pine trees and rolling hills. It’s fast and runnable. Depending on the rainfall there could be a few creek crossings none particularly major.

 

The great thing about Dry Creek is it’s like a big figure eight. Runners run two loops, twice, each time coming back to the gianormous parking lot, their crew and a killer aid station. This is one of the nice things about this course. For 30 miles the crew doesn’t have to move in order to see their runner. And there are bathrooms. And music. It’s pretty legit.

 

After the lollipop, runners head out the way they came in, running back to the Convention Center and on to belt buckle glory.