24 Hours at Lake Z

Run for the Rhodos is a unique, blossoming event presented by Hamilton Gardens of the entertainment rich Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds nestled in exceptionally scenic Hiawassee, Georgia.

This runner/walker friendly 5K experience offers racers a woodland trail course that immerses you in our ravishing Rhododendron Garden while in its full bloom splendor!

The proceeds from your participation in our 2026 Rhodo Fest garden run will support Hamilton Garden's on-going mission to FUEL NATURE!

All participants registered before April 8, 2026, will receive a Rhodo Race Tee featuring BUZZ bee!

Honorary Finisher Awards

1st finishing Male, Female, and Master's Finisher (65 years and older)

A Hiawassee, Georgia Local Love basket filled to the rim with goodies.

1st Child Finisher Male and Female (12 years of age or younger)

A Hiawassee, Georgia Local Love basket with a 1 all day Carnival Pass for the Georgia Mountain Fair!

You run and/or walk for the Rhodos and cross the finish line...you will get a prize as well.

Run the Ranch is Back!

Join us June 20th, 2026, for a day full of fun, love, and community!

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We are continuing our new, chip-timed course; challenging but runner and walker-friendly so all can join in on the fun.

Our course features plenty of water stations and a welcoming atmosphere for all, from walkers to serious runners. There will be awards for overall, masters, and age-group winners. In addition to the 5K and Fun Run, a special 1.5-mile Nature Walk will feature a beautiful wooded trail.

Registration for our 5K, Fun Run, and Nature Walk events is at a great price (especially if you register early!). There is a special discount for families, and your registration includes free admission to Eagle Ranch Family Fest!

Important Shirt Deadline: To guarantee you receive your preferred shirt size, please register by May 20th. After this date, sizes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.

We're including the option for early check-in this year! Be sure to check in to your Run the Ranch Race on June 19th, 3:30p.m.-5:30p.m., at the Eagle Ranch Admin Office to collect your packet. Early check-in lets you hit the ground running the next morning!

We’re excited to host our Family Fest at Eagle Ranch as well. This is a FREE party with tons of fun activities, including festival games, inflatables, cotton candy, and more. Some vendors will in attendance with great food and goodies for purchase! If you've purchased your race, your Family Fest admission is included.

If you want your family or friends to join separately from the race, register online to reserve their wristbands for admission.

Whether you come to run, walk, or want to join in our Family Fest, all are welcome!

Schedule:

• 7:30 AM - Packet Pick-Up/On-Site Registration

• 8:15 AM - Fun Run Start

• 8:35 AM - 5K Start

• 8:40 AM - Nature Walk Start

• 9:00 AM - Family Fest Activities Open

• 9:45 AM - Awards Ceremony (will immediately follow 5K completion)

• 12:00 PM - Family Fest Ends

Proceeds benefit Eagle Ranch, a nationally recognized non-profit organization with a wide range of services supporting whole family healing for struggling children and families.

In partnership with Elachee Nature Science Center. This event offers a 7 mile and 3 mile trail race through the trails of the Chicopee Woods Nature Preserve. You'll pass through rhododendron groves, across creeks, traverse a 140ft suspension bridge, and climb the rolling pine needle covered trails to the finish. This is truly a fast and fun classic trail race with something for everyone! In addition, bring your little ones for a kids trail race (chaperones allowed) on a short loop around the nature preserve.

3Hr Cutoff for the 7 mile race. Email us if you'd like an earlier start. info@summitrunco.com

The Elachee Nature Science Center promotes environmental understanding through education and conservation by getting children outside, by creating bridges between people and nature, and by caring for Chicopee Woods so that it is accessible to our community now and into the future.

A parking pass is required to enter Chicopee Woods. As part of your race registration, you will have the opportunity to purchase an Elachee membership at a significant discount, which includes an annual parking pass. In addition, new membership purchases will receive guaranteed priority parking near the start/finish line. Non-members will be required to use overflow parking and/or a shuttle service.

We know you'll love these trails and will want to keep coming back for more! Team Summit will host TWO group trail runs prior to the race for you to preview the race course.

Group Trail Run Dates

Coming soon!