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Georgia Death Race
Race Details:
- Location: Blairsville, GA, USA
- Race Date: 03/27/2027
- Race Distances: Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: Yes
Georgia Death Race Description
The Georgia Death Race sends runners on a brutal 74-mile point-to-point trek across the North Georgia mountains, from the Byron Herbert Reece Heritage Center in Blairsville to the base of Amicalola Falls. Runners carry a one-pound railroad spike the entire way, throwing it into a coffin at the finish for an engraved spike of their own. With 16,000 feet of climbing over the Benton MacKaye and Duncan Ridge Trails, past the Toccoa Swinging Bridge, and up 425 steps beside the 729-foot Amicalola waterfall, only about 60% of starters finish this legendary Western States and UTMB Index qualifier.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Georgia Death Race Additional Details:
All 2027 entrants must log at least 6 hours of trail-race volunteering or trail maintenance (or pay a $20 opt-out fee) before race day, and everyone must attend the mandatory runner and crew meeting Friday night at 7pm during packet pickup at Amicalola Lodge. Ten fully stocked aid stations dot the course, but no pacers are permitted anywhere along the route — this one’s on you. The race carries a 25-hour overall cutoff with hard cutoffs enforced at each aid station, and an optional pre-race shuttle runs from Amicalola on race morning for runners without their own crew. Finish inside 24 hours and you’ll also earn a coveted golden ticket into the Western States 100 lottery.
Course Information
Profile: Very Hilly
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 25 hr
# of Finishers
Ultramarathon: 60% of 275 to 325 entrants (180 finishers, 2026)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 16,000 ft
Elevation Loss: 16,000 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 34°F
- High: 60°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Explore structured plans across every ultra distance, from your first 50K to 100 miles and beyond.
Things to Do in Blairsville, GA, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
We're still building out our local guide for this city — check back soon!
Hotels & Lodging Near the Georgia Death Race
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