Jones Gap Trail Half Marathon

Event overview

The Jones Gap Trail Half Marathon is scheduled for September 12, 2026, at River Falls Lodge in Marietta, SC. The event is a 13.1-mile trail half marathon. Standard registration is listed at $40, with a reduced fee of $15 for ages 1–17; the price increases after May 1, 2026. Donations and race proceeds support the Upstate Running Club Youth Team. Registration includes a finisher medal, post-race pancakes, a custom race bib, event giveaways (including a race sticker and custom race tattoo), complimentary race photos, music and a post-race hangout, a sample of Wildly Charged hydration, and park entry.

Course, aid and awards

The course has a total elevation gain of 2,000 feet. It begins with a road section into Jones Gap and moves onto single-track trails. The route passes Rainbow Falls, follows a section of the Rim of the Gap Trail, and includes a climb toward Little Pinnacle Mountain within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. The Middle Saluda River is along the route. Parking and packet pickup are at River Falls Lodge Rd.

There are two aid stations at Mile 2 and Mile 11. Available items may include pickles, cookies, chips, assorted candy, fig newtons, and pretzels; hydration options listed are water, coke, and ginger ale. This is a cup-less event; participants are asked to bring their own hydration vessel. Chip timing with live results will be used. Top three overall finishers (male and female) receive trophies; age group awards are given to the top three in categories from 0–9 up to 80+. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.