Dirty Spokes "Mayhem on the Mountain" 5.15/3.0 Mile Trail Run Forsyth County Parks & Recreation Trail Run Series!
Location: Sawnee Mountain, Cumming, Georgia (Bettis Tribble Gap Road New Trails)
Date: January 6, 2024 (Saturday)
Format: Trail Run
Distance: 5.15 | 3.0 Miles
Course GPS: 5.15 Miles GPS | 3.0 Miles GPS | Course Map
Course Map: Map 1 | Map 2
Series: Dirty Spokes
Presenting Sponsor: Automation Direct
2024 Results: 5.15Mi|3.0Mi
REGISTER: ON-LINE REGISTRATION!
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Registration is Open! We will have a participant cap of 325 Runners Due to parking and getting that many runners into the woods!
The NEWER Trail System will allow you to experience the North Georgia Mountains without having to drive an hour or two away! Forsyth Co. Parks and Recreation Department has done an amazing job with this new park and trail system!
We´re excited to present the 9th Annual Dirty Spokes 5.15 and 3.0 Mile Trail Running Race at Sawnee Mountain (Newer Trail System / Bettis Tribble Gap Road) in Cumming, Ga.
DIRECTIONS
For Directions (Mapquest): Sawnee Mtn
Sawnee Mtn
2505 Bettis Tribble Gap Road
Cumming, Ga. 30040
When you enter Sawnee Mtn drive straight in and towards the back of the park. Registration and the Start / Finish will take place near the trail head (next to the playground). We will use the parking lot across the street on Bettis Tribble Gap Road as overflow. We will NOT have a shuttle providing transportation from the Nature Preserve Parking lot before and after the race (if you park over there you are on your own)!
ENTRY FEES
- 3.0 Miles
- Through December 20 -> $40
- December 21 - December 31 -> $45 (LATE)
- Race Day Registration -> $50
- 5.15 Miles
- Through December 20 -> $45
- December 21 - December 31 -> $50 (LATE)
- Race Day Registration -> $55
For our 2024 events we will be using a Super Soft, Tri Blend Shirt! In doing so we must adhere to the "no guarantee of a shirt with late or race day registration". We will still offer "Men's" and "Women's" Sizes (Shirts Fit Just Like the Current Ones we Use)! So Register Early and let us know what you think!
PACKET PICKUP
Packet pickup will be the morning of the race starting at 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Race starts at 8:30 a.m. SHARP!
RACE COURSE
This is great single and double track off-road running experience. The race will start on the asphalt (next to the playground / required for spacing) but will soon lead into the woods. The terrain is made up of a little bit of everything, steep hills, rolling hills, single track, double track, with some technical sections (rocks).
5.15 Milers: We’ll run this “Course in Pain Management” in a counter-clockwise direction.
Starting on the asphalt paved drive (next to the playground) and run downhill towards the park entrance about .15 miles (required for spacing) and then turn left into the woods and enter "Hilltop Trail" (a new trail with freshly exposed roots and loosely-compacted dirt/rocks). The trail narrows briefly to single-track through trail markers 2 and 3 (note: the blue trail markers are about .10 mile apart) then reopens to double-track for the rest of the course. A descent between trail markers 6 and 8 dumps you onto an old access road – the lowest point of the course. The next half-mile is a gradual climb over a few rocky, obstacle-style, dry creek crossings that’ll will bring you up to “Mountainside Trail” (at 1.5 miles). This is where the short and long distances split (short course will make a hard left and the long course continues straight). Over the next 1.5 miles the trail will treat you to a series of roller-coaster rises and falls (and a few switchbacks) as you ascend to the ridgeline – where you’ll emerge from the shadow of the mountain… only to discover you’re not at the top. (Enter BEAST MODE.) The next 120 ft of vertical climbing might have you wondering if a Sherpa jumped onto your back. It’s not until the trail turns east off the ridgeline, that it mercifully begins to dance across the southern face of the mountain. At 3.5 miles, Tower Road will rise out of the thin mountain air to greet you – cross it. A rocky half-mile later (and 180 ft lower) you’ll merge with the short course (joining from the left) at the top of “Ridgeline Trail” (only about a mile from the finish). Continue straight. “Ridgeline Trail” is a technical descent with a generous dose of rocks and roots to keep you from day-dreaming. And the rise in this trail is no illusion; it’s the mountain’s last chance to break your spirit before letting you descend to the finish chute – where you’ll be wondering why the spectator’s are so overdressed for January.
3.0 Milers: We’ll run this “Course in Pain Management” in a counter-clockwise direction.
Starting on the asphalt paved drive (next to the playground) and run downhill towards the park entrance about .15 miles (required for spacing) and then turn left into the woods and enter "Hilltop Trail" (a new trail with freshly exposed roots and loosely-compacted dirt/rocks). The trail narrows briefly to single-track through trail markers 2 and 3 (note: the blue trail markers are about .10 mile apart) then reopens to double-track for the rest of the course. A descent between trail markers 6 and 8 dumps you onto an old access road – the lowest point of the course. The next half-mile is a gradual climb over a few rocky, obstacle-style, dry creek crossings that’ll will bring you up to “Mountainside Trail” (at 1.5 miles). This is where the short and long distances split (short course will make a hard left and the long course continues straight). After the hard left off “Hilltop Trail” and onto “Mountainside Trail”, the trail scrambles 200 ft up the east face of the mountain. The trail tops out a half mile later and a descending turn sweeps eastward, funneling you onto “Ridgeline Trail” – where you’ll merge with the long course (only about a mile from the finish). “Ridgeline Trail” is a technical descent with a generous dose of rocks and roots to keep you from day-dreaming. And the rise in this trail is no illusion; it’s the mountain’s last chance to break your spirit before letting you descend to the finish chute – where you’ll be wondering why the spectator’s are so overdressed for January.
The course is beautiful and offers something for every runner truly wishing to ´ditch the city´. Nestled in the woods of suburban Atlanta lies a true gem. Well groomed system of trails with gentle slopes and beautiful scenery will leave you breathless (if that doesn´t, the 5.15/3.0 miles will). Once you descend into the woods, you will forget your in the city. As a matter of fact, you will come to know why we follow the creed ´Ditch the City´.
RACE CATEGORIES
Dirty Spokes will be handing out medals and prizes to our overall top 3 male and female as well as top male and female masters finishers for each race. We will also be handing out medals to our top 3 male and female finishers in each age group (14&U, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75&U) – you must be present to receive your medal we will not mail them to you.
AWARDS
Awards will be given out when we have enough finishers in to fill the categories. Medals will be given out to the top three finishers in each category. Walkers are encouraged to participate; however, you should be able to complete the 5.15/3.0 miles at a 16 minute mile pace or under to receive an official time.
2015 RACE COURSE VIDEO
2016 RACE DAY VIDEO