The Sawmill Gauntlet

The Sawmill Gauntlet

The Sawmill Gauntlet is a looped endurance event held at 8524 Neely Ferry Road, Laurens, SC. The course is a 2.5 mile loop. A new lap cycle begins every 45 minutes and each participant must complete one full loop within each window. Runners must return to the starting corral before the next lap begins; missing a lap start results in removal. There are no pace requirements beyond the clock.

In the running division the format continues until only one runner remains. The last remaining runner must complete a final solo 2.5 mile lap to win; failure to complete that lap results in no winner being declared. The organizers characterize the running format as favouring persistence over speed.

The 12 hour ruck division is a time based event using the same 2.5 mile loop. Participants must carry a 25 lb ruck, dry weight, at all times. Once a competitor starts, they must keep moving until their race ends or the 12 hour clock expires. Short breaks are permitted but any break longer than 30 minutes or stopping movement for more than 30 minutes leads to removal. There is no minimum or maximum number of laps in the ruck division; weight will be checked and the clock does not stop. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.