The Georgia Death Race

Event overview

The Georgia Death Race is a trail running event on March 28, 2026, in Blairsville, Georgia. The main distance is 74 miles, routed from the Byron Herbert Reece Heritage Center to Amicalola Falls State Park. The course includes about 16,000 feet of ascent and 16,000 feet of descent. Course records for the current 74 mile course are 13:31:29 (female) and 11:26:54 (male).

Course rules and logistics

Runners must carry a 1 lb railroad spike for the duration of the race; finishers throw the spike into a coffin and receive an engraved spike. The race enforces a 25-hour total time limit with hard cutoffs at aid stations. Pacers are not allowed. Packet pickup is at Amicalola Lodge on the Friday night before the race. Registration for 2026 is sold out and a waitlist is open until June 1, 2025. Runners in 2026 must complete a minimum of six hours of volunteering at a trail race or trail maintenance, or pay a $20 opt-out fee that will be donated to the Benton Mackaye Trail Association or a Georgia SORBA group; volunteer hours or the fee must be submitted by race day. Running the race in under 24 hours qualifies the finisher for one ticket to enter the Western States Endurance Run 2027 lottery. Registration includes a hat and pint glass; other items may be purchased. Maps, aid station breakdowns, and cutoff times are provided for the course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.