The Georgia Death Race

The Georgia Death Race

The Georgia Death Race is a 74 mile trail running event from the Byron Herbert Reece Heritage Center in Blairsville, Georgia to Amicalola Falls State Park. The course includes about 16,000 feet of climbing and 16,000 feet of descent. Runners must carry a one pound railroad spike for the duration of the event; finishers throw the nail into a coffin and receive an engraved spike.

The event enforces a 25 hour total cutoff with additional hard cutoffs at aid stations. Pacers are not allowed. Completing the 2026 race in under 24 hours qualifies a runner for one ticket to enter the lottery for the Western States Endurance Run 2027.

Race packet pickup is at Amicalola Lodge on the Friday night before the race. Registration includes a hat and a pint glass; additional merchandise may be available for purchase. The organizer requires all 2026 participants to log a minimum of six hours of volunteer service at any trail race or perform trail maintenance, or to 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 opt out fee must be submitted by race day, 3/28/26, using a form that must be signed off by the supervising organization. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.