The Sawmill Gauntlet

The Sawmill Gauntlet

The Sawmill Gauntlet is a loop-based endurance event held in Laurens, SC, at 8524 Neely Ferry Road. The course uses a single 2.5-mile loop with a new lap window beginning every 45 minutes. Each participant must complete one full loop within each window and return to the starting corral before the next lap begins. Missing a lap start ends that participant's running-division effort.

The event includes two formats:

Running division: Runners continue through repeated 45-minute windows until only one runner remains. The final remaining runner must complete one last solo 2.5-mile lap to be declared the winner. The format emphasizes continued completion of laps rather than speed.

12-hour ruck division: Participants carry a 25 lb ruck (dry weight) at all times and compete for total time under load during a 12-hour period. Once started, participants must keep moving until their race ends or the 12-hour period expires. To record completion, participants ring a bell. Short breaks are allowed, but any break or stoppage longer than 30 minutes results in removal. There are no minimum or maximum lap counts. Weight checks will be conducted and the clock runs continuously.

A side pot tracks total miles by groups, comparing ultrarunners with military and first responders; miles count even if a participant does not finish. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.