Mystery Mountain Marathon & 12-Miler

Event overview

The Mystery Mountain Marathon and the 12-mile race take place at Fort Mountain State Park in Chatsworth, Georgia. The races run over and around Fort Mountain on trail terrain and include about 5,500 feet of total climbing and descending. The event is organized as a 100% non-profit; a portion of proceeds supports Fort Mountain State Park. Combined race entries are limited to 250 participants. There is a $5 state park parking fee collected at park entry.

Distances:

• Marathon
• 12-mile

Course, aid and safety

Both courses start with a loop around the lake and then move onto the Big Rock and Gahuti trails. Trail surfaces include single-track, rocky and rooty sections, mountain-bike trails, and smoother horse trails. Marathon runners leave the Gahuti for an extended 301 loop that uses mostly double-track and passes through pine, hardwood and cove forest, old mines and waterfalls before returning to the lake.

Aid stations and cutoffs:

• 12-mile: three aid stations plus one fluids-only station; 6-hour overall time limit with an intermediate cutoff.
• Marathon: six aid stations plus two fluids-only stations; 8-hour overall time limit with intermediate cutoffs at specified aid stations.

Course markings use orange and blue flags and ribbons placed on the right side of the trail; 12-mile follows orange, marathon follows orange then blue after the power-line section. Trails remain open to other users; runners may encounter hikers, bikers, and horses. Bears have been spotted on parts of the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.