October 5, 2024
Lengths: 50K, 30K, or 15K
This is not just a race; it is an unforgettable event! The best part of the season with a beautiful location, music, and a hot meal. The Blue Ridge Ultra is a 50K loop trail race is deep within the beautiful Chattahoochee National Forest of the North Georgia Mountains. It consists of 8,000ft of elevation gain on 23 miles of the Benton MacKaye trail, and 7 miles of Forest Service roads. You will experience tough, and sometimes technical spots, single track trails, small creek crossings, steep ascents and even steeper descents all while enjoying the leaves changing colors. Start and Finish at the historic Shallowford iron bridge spanning the Toccoa River. This race will challenge the most experienced racer and provide a memorable experience for those looking to complete a trail run in the mountains of Blue Ridge. Using the same trails, there is a 30K and 15K option. Break the men's or women's 50K course record and get $250.
2024 Race Pricing
50K
Registration: $150
30K
Early Registration: $115
Late Registration: $125
15K
Early Registration: $90
Late Registration: $100
Important Registration Dates
Registration Opens: 1/5/24
Early Registration Ends: 8/14/2024
Schedule
50K Start: 8:00am
Cut-off: 10 Hours or 6pm.
30K Start: 8:30am
Cut-off: 6pm.
15K Start: 9:00am
Cut-off: 6pm.
Canine Start: 9:05am
Cut-off: 6pm.
Early Package Pick-up
Friday, October 4
4:00pm to 7:00pm
Ironbridge Bridge Cafe
8436 Aska Rd, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
You may also sign-up here as well from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Package Pick Pick-up
Saturday, October 5
Starting at 6:30am
Ironbridge Bridge Cafe
8436 Aska Rd, Blue Ridge, GA 30513
Start Location
Ironbridge Bridge Cafe off Aska Road outside Blue Ridge, Georgia. 8436 Aska Rd, Blue Ridge, GA 30513. Parking is limited and shuttle location may be added due to the number of runners that sign-up. Details will be emailed before the race.
Canine Run
There will also be a canine run for those that want to bring their dogs out to join the fun. Canine runners will register for the 15K, and start 5 minutes after the regular 15K start.
Drop Bags
50K runners - (1) one-gallon bags provided by us at check-in. Placed at Aid Station #2 and #5
Aid Stations
There will be no need for a support crew during this event. We will have several fully stocked aid stations along the course to refuel and regain your strength. All aid stations will have water, Gatorade, cola, snacks, cookies, candy, sandwiches, and fruit. All other items will need to be carried by racers.
Race Data Updated (4/29/24)
Signs and flagging mark the course. The race starts out heading up Free Knob on the Benton MacKaye Trail and dropping back down to the Old Dial Rd. Here come the climbs... straight up to the BMT to Garland Mountain Gap and the up to Brawley Mountain to Aid Station #1. All runners stay on the BMT after the Aid Station #1 and then about a mile later the 15K runners turn right onto FS45 to return to Aid Station #1 and then follow the BMT back the Finish. 50K and 30K runners then take the BMT to the left up and over Bald Top, and Tipton mountains before heading into the (Hwy 60) Wilscot Gap Aid Station #2. Please use caution when crossing HWY 60. 50K and 30K runners continue on the BMT to climb over Wilscot and Deadennen Mountains, where the 30K runners turn around on top of Deadennen Mountain and return to Aid Station #2, then follow signs to the finish is FS Road 45. The 50K runners continue on the BMT to Aid Station #3 at Skeenah Gap Rd. 50K runners continue on the BMT up to the Duncan Ridge trail and turn left to the summit of Rhodes Mountain to make a u-turn back down to Aid Station #3/#4. Following the signs West to Forest Service Road 640, runners will enjoy a break from the single track trail on this very long rolling clay road until returning to the BMT. 50K runners will run back to Aid Station #2/#5 on the BMT. Please use caution when crossing HWY 60. After Aid Station #2/#5 50K runners will use FS Road 45 to return to Aid Station #1/#6 to then follow the BMT back to the finish.
Dinner
We will be providing a home-cooked dinner from the Iron Bridge Cafe at the finish for all racers.
What you get!
1. 100% marked course
2. Live race results during the race.
3. Race Men's shirt and V-Neck Women's shirt
4. (6) Fully stocked aid stations
5. Finisher medal.
6. Custom-designed awards.
7. Cooked to order a hot post-race meal by the Ironbridge Cafe.
8. Free race photos
9. Free parking.
10. Free Shuttle from parking areas.
Waivers
Each runner must print and sign this waiver and bring it to the check-in. Waiver will also be at check-in to sign.
Gear
Everything you need to bring can be found on the Ultra Gear List.
Crew
For information on crew and pacers, see the crew page.
Rules
No cutting of the designed course. All flags must be punched to receive credit for the entire course. Details in pre-race email. Listen and follow all instructions from race staff and medical personnel during the race. Be courteous to other runners and day hikers. You may only receive the aid within 100 feet of an aid station that allows crew access. No littering. Take in, take out. Trekking poles are allowed. The race director has the sole discretion of the administration of any violations of the race rules ranging from a time penalty up to and including disqualification.
Cancellations and Transfers
We understand that things happen. No refunds will be issued; however, you may transfer your entry to another racer in the same event without a penalty until 5 days before the event. You are responsible for finding a person interested in buying your entry as well as working out payment with them. Entries do not transfer to other events nor do they transfer year to year. If you would like to sell your entry to another racer, please contact info@argeorgia.com with the name and email of the person to whom you wish to transfer your entry.
Awards
All finishers will receive a fantastic medal and a T-shirt.
Awards in each class below for each race. Break the men's or women's 50K course record and get $250.
1. Overall Man - 1st in 50K receives $250/ entry to next year's event.
2. Overall Woman - 1st in 50K receives $250/ entry to next year's event.
3. Men (21-44) - Top 3
4. Women (21-44) Top 3
5. Young Men - Top 3 (under 21)
6. Young Women - Top 3 (under 21)
7. Masters Men - Top 3 (45-59)
8. Masters Women - Top 3 (45-59)
9. Grand Master Men - Top 3 (Over 60)
10. Grand Master Women - Top 3 (Over 60)
11. Top Dog - Top 3 (Canine Class) 15K Only
• Operations on National Forest System lands are authorized under special use permit by the
Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the
basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, or marital or family status. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA
Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Ave SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal
opportunity provider, employer, and lender.