Mystery Mountain Marathon & 12-Miler
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Mystery Mountain Marathon and 12 Miler
The event offers two trail distances at Fort Mountain State Park in Georgia: a marathon and a 12 mile race. Both courses use a lake loop start and then follow rocky, rooty and single-track trails including Big Rock, the Gahuti, and the 301 loop. The route passes the low stone wall on the mountain top that was built over 1,000 years ago.
The trails are sometimes technical with long, extended climbs and descents totaling about 5,500 feet of elevation gain. Surface types include single track, rugged mountain bike trail, and smoother horse trail sections. Bears have been spotted along parts of the course, and runners are advised to be bear aware. Fort Mountain trails will remain open during the event, so hikers, bikers (marathon only) and horses (marathon only) may be encountered.
Aid stations and cutoffs:
- 12 mile: three aid stations plus one fluids-only station; 6-hour time limit with a 3.5-hour checkpoint at the park entrance (approx. 8 miles).
- Marathon: six aid stations plus two fluids-only stations; 8-hour time limit with multiple cutoffs at ~11, ~18.9 and ~22.3 miles. Marathon runners are strongly advised to carry a water bottle for longer gaps between aid stations.
Other event details: a $10 state park parking fee applies (or use an annual park pass), the race is 100% non-profit with a portion of proceeds supporting Fort Mountain State Park, combined race entries are limited to 250 participants, and there are no refunds, transfers, or deferrals. The course is marked with orange and blue ribbons and confidence markers; 12 mile runners follow orange markings, marathon runners follow orange then blue after the Power Line aid station. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
