Jones Gap 9 Mile Trail Run & Hike

Jones Gap State Park & River Fall Lodge

Upstate Ultra welcomes you to Jones Gap State Park and the 3rd Annual Jones Gap 9 Mile Trail Run & Hike. We are excited to bring back the same challenge for our 2nd year event. The Hospital Rock Race will be held on a 9 Mile course that climbs and views all that the Mountain Bridge Wilderness area has to offer.

Visitors can find the unforgettable peace and repose of a deep mountain cove at Jones Gap State Park. Trails and 13,000 acres of pristine mountain woodlands join the park with Caesar's Head in what is known as the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. The Jones Gap State Park trails allow hikers to traverse between the two parks, as well as connect to a portion of the Foothills Trail and Palmetto Trail South Carolina hikers know and love.This course will showcase two scenic waterfalls, 18 back country campsites, over 60 miles of hiking trails, the scenic Middle Saluda River that runs through the park and over 13,000 acres of wilderness when combined with Caesar's Head to form the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area.

Events:

• Jones Gap 9 Miler Sept. 11th @ 8:00am

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Packet Pickup

You can pick up your race bib and any apparel items purchased race morning near our timing tent at the start finish line. Packet Pickup will start 60 minute prior to the start of the race! Apparel will be for sale on race day. Packet Pickup will be held at River Falls Lodge located at River Falls Lodge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661.

Bib # & Timing Chip

Please locate the Bib # Sheet at packet pickup. It will be organized by distance and in alphabetical order. Find your name that corresponds with your assigned bib # and give that number to one of our volunteers at packet pickup. Please make sure that your bib is on the front of your body and is visible when you cross the finish line. Please make sure to return your timing chip and bib along with the reusable BibBoard to the correct storage bin located at the finish line prior to getting your finish medal. Participants who lose or neglect to return their timing chip will be asked to mail it in or pay $25 to have the reusable chip replaced.

Jones Gap Course- Map HERE

Each race will start at River Falls Lodge (River Falls Lodge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661) . Participants will cover one mile of road heading out of River Falls Lodge down to Duckworth Road before turning right down the road that runs along Palmetto Bible Camp. You will then enter the trail head of Falls Creek Trail for 1.2 miles to the Falls Creek (waterfall). The trail then merges with Hospital Rock Trail and you will follow that for 4.9 miles back to the Jones Gap Trail Head near the fish hatchery. Runners will then follow the main road for 2 miles back to the Lodge.

Race Swag

All race participants will receive an Upstate Ultra Sticker and a unique wooden finisher award. Not everyone likes shirts so we have provided an option to purchase an Upstate Ultra Tri-Blend Shirt, Performance Socks, Trucker Hat, or Trail Buff.

Race Awards

Top 3 Male and Female will receive a custom hand made award by our partner of Next Up Opportunity! Each finisher will receive a finisher medal that will be branded with the race logo and come with a custom race patch on the backside! We will also publish our age group results that will coincide with our Race Series. To learn more about our race series and awards please visit our results page here: HERE

AWARD DIVISIONS

Overall Top 3 M&F – Top 3 Age Group M&F for our Age Group Series

• 10-under

• 11-14

• 15-20

• 21-29

• 30-34

• 35-39

• 40-44

• 45-49

• 50-54

• 55-59

• 60-64

• 65-69

• 70-80

• 80+

Address and Parking

Runners can park at the following address: River Falls Lodge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661. We advise all runners to carpool if possible. Packet pickup that morning will also be located there.

Course Markings

The course will have a series of directional arrows that will be placed at all intersections. Please follow all directional arrows to stay on course. In the event that you make a wrong turn please backtrack to your original spot of confusion. Cutting the course (even if unintentionally will lead to a disqualification)

Aid Stations

There are no aid stations on the 9 mile course. There is a water fountain at mile 6.5 at the Ranger Station at the main park entrance. Due to the closed course of Hospital Rock you will need to carry all the fluids and nutrition you will need for this 9 mile event.

Eco-Standard

In an effort to be good stewards to mother nature we will not have any of the following items at ANY of our events. This is in an effort to reduce the carbon footprint being placed by endurance events throughout the world. Please have a cup or hydration bottle if you will need to consume water/nutrition during the event. Please bring your own fork/spoon for any post race meals. Please bring your own bags for items collected at the race. Please make use of old safety pins or our new Bib Boards that will be available for the timing chip only.

• No Cups

• No Plates

• No Safety Pins

• No Plastic Spoons/Forks

• No Plastic Packet Pickup Bags

Switch Event: Email me WithoutLimitsGreenville@gmail.com and I will drop you down in distance.

Defer Registration: We do not offer race deferrals

Transfers: We do not offer transfers to other participants.

Refunds: We do not offer race refunds

Race Director Info: Matthew Hammersmith: WithoutLimitsGreenville@gmail.com