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COURSE

Course Description
Difficult, sometimes technical trails with long, extended climbs,over and around Fort Mountain.

Both races will start with a flat, quick
loop around the lake. The course then connects to the Gahuti trail via the rocky and rooty Big Rock trail. The Gahuti travels around the edge of the park. The trail is single track, cambered and rocky as it travels just below the summits of both Cohutta and Fort Mountains. The course will briefly leave the Gahuti to take in a loop around the top of the mountain. The top of the mountain trail is narrow and footing is difficult until reaching the legendary rock wall, where the trail then descends back to the Gahuti and gradually begins to widen with the footing becoming smoother. The hills do not end coming “down” the mountain back to the lake; the elevation gain is almost the same as the initial ascent.

The course will come back to the lake via the other side of the Big Rock trail.  The 12-milers will run back around the lake for their finish. The marathoners will turn and run up to the 301 loop via the steep power line trail.

The 301 loop is a beautiful, challenging, and mostly double-track trail. It passes through pine and scrub laurel thickets, upland hardwood and cove forests, by old mines, then waterfalls and rhododendrons before returning up the mountain and then following the mountain ridge top before descending back to the lake.  From there, the marathoners will run back around the lake for their finish.

Bears have been spotted along many sections of the Mystery Mountain Marathon course, so be aware!

Trail Course Markings - General
This is a trail race. As simple as this may sound, this is NOT a road race. There will be no mile markers. It will not always be 100% apparent which way to go. There may not always be another runner in sight. It is entirely possible that you could get lost or sustain a serious injury in this race. No matter how careful you are, you might fall or trip along the way. Ultimately YOU are responsible for running this race, being careful, and following the course markings.

The course will be marked with a combination of surveyor’s tape, directional arrows, and flour. Turns will be marked with one or more of these methods.  The trail will also have “confidence” markers every 2-5 minutes, even when there are no turns off the main trail – this is to assure runners they are on the right path.  As you run the course you should continually look for markings to be sure you are on the right course.  Do not turn onto a side trail unless you see markings indicating a turn. For the majority of the course you will stay on the main path and seldom take side trails.  If you have not seen a marker in over 5 minutes, then consider retracing your steps to the last known marker or waiting for another runner.

Trail Course Markings – Specifics for MMM
Trail markings for both the 12-mile loop and the marathon loop will consist of brightly colored plastic ribbon and survey paint.  The 12M course will be set with blue markings.  The Marathon loop will be set with bright orange.

All ribbons will be placed on the right hand side of the trail.  Doing so will help you verify you are running in the appropriate direction.

When approaching a trail intersection, a series of three to four ribbons will be placed on both sides of the trail before and after the trail intersection if possible.  Each of the ribbons will be approximately 10 to 15 feet apart. 

Additionally directional signs will be used for the section near the top of Fort Mountain and the intersection of the 12-miler loop / marathon loop/ lake loop.

A 2 mile section of the course is part of both the marathon and 12-mile loop.  For this section, BOTH colors of ribbon will be utilized to mark the course, again on the right hand side.

Prior to AS2, there is a quarter mile section of trail that uses both the marathon and 12-miler loop.  This section will be marked with orange and blue ribbons, directional signs, and potentially a volunteer.

Trail Courtesy
It can be difficult to pass other runners in a trail race, especially on single-track trails. If you are ready to pass another runner you should verbally indicate your intention by saying “may I pass?”, or “trail left” or “trail right”.  The runner should then yield the trail by moving over as much as possible. As soon as you have room, pass the other runner quickly.  If someone asks to pass you, then follow the same rules of courtesy, and move over when requested. Even if you can move partially off the trail or turn slightly sideways, this should be enough room for someone to quickly move past you. Or, if you are looking for an excuse to rest, just step off the trail and wait until they are gone!

Fort Mountain Trails will NOT be closed during the race. You may encounter hikers and bikers (marathon only) on the course on race day. Please be courteous. Announce your approach in order to allow them time to move off the trail.

Leave no Trace
Do not leave any litter on the course. Anyone caught littering will be disqualified and ostracized.  Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them. Observe wildlife from a distance and do not approach or feed them (especially the bears).