Merrill's Mile

2025 Pre-Race Letter

We can't wait to see you this weekend at the Bull Mountain Epic. Please read through the pre-race letter:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EjM7UHZV7FJanhPLMtlWgaQt6EVrY3wLO8rKES52LqY/edit?tab=t.0 A MAJOR note for this yearThe rainfall we had earlier this year has washed out a few areas of the forest service road that takes you to the Bull Mountain parking lot. There are a few large ruts and holes that will be tricky to navigate if you are in a low clearance vehicle. Remember to drive through any deep ruts at an angle and not directly/straight on.As of right now, it looks like we will not have any additional rainfall, so it should be dry (other than the potholes), but please give yourself plenty of time to make the drive up FS 83. If you have the option to carpool with someone in a high clearance vehicle, take advantage of it!If for some reason you cannot attend the race, please go into your UltraSignUp account and withdraw your registration. We will be assigning bibs on Thursday.If you have additional questions that were not answered in this email or the links provided, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.  We can’t wait to see you this weekend!

EPIC!!

The Bull Mountain Epic offers something for everyone! The Jake and Bull Mountain Trail system is composed of 3 DIFFERENT loops and each loop is approximately 10 miles long. Half Marathoners will run one loop up and over Bull Mountain plus a little double track to complete the distance. 50K runners will complete each of the loops (with 5000' of total elevation gain) once! After each 10 mile loop, you will pass through the main aid station/Start/Finish. There are some technical sections, but it is mostly runnable single track, making this a tough and challenging North Georgia trail race. Waterfalls, multiple stream crossings, rocky climbs and blazing fast descents are just a few of the trail amenities. We will have 3 aid stations stocked with veggie friendly everything: soups, fruits, some hot foods cooking in the evening, normal aid station fare, and of course volunteer specialties being served until the last finisher comes through. There is a 12 hour cut-off for this event. All runners must be on loop 3 by 4pm for the 50k.This is going to be an awesome event for veterans as well as those wanting run their first trail 1/2 marathon or 50K. Awards will be given to top 3 Female and Male Finishers in each event. PACERSPacers are not allowed.

Event's current local time: 4:41 AM ET

New Concept for Grand Prize in 2026!

Straight up $1,000 to the last man and $1,000 to the last woman standing at the end of the event. Awards for achievements open to everyone.1. Marathon Challenge: Run a total of 8 loops (still only 1 hour per loop) and win the exclusive "Marathon from Hell" award. 2. 24 Hour Challenge: Run a total of 24 loops (still only 1 hour per loop) and win the exclusive "Full day of Hell" award.3. Everest Challenge: Run a total of 29 loops (still only 1 hour per loop) and win the exclusive "Everest in One Day" award.4. If we go over the record of 36 loops, the last person standing will win an additional $1,000.5. Everyone who does not win, still receives the famous DNW (Did Not Win) medals to look at the rest of the year.

DESCRIPTION

Two years into the planning to discover the toughest location to pull off a backyard ultra and we found it at the famous AT approach trail in the Amicalola Falls State Park. The 3.6 mile loop starts at the top of the falls with the rugged East Ridge trail leading down to the bottom parking area to pick up the lower Mountain Laurel trail and then up the AT Approach trails with 605 steps back to the top of the falls.Simple: Each runner will have 1 hour to complete the 3.6-mile loop (1,025ft of elevation) every hour until only one person remains.

RULES

All runners need to be present at least 30 minutes before the start of the race. The park gates open at 5:00am. The official race start is at 8:00 AM therefore all participants shall be present to listen to the race rules by 7:30 AM. Allow for additional time to get checked in and get your bib. If you want to set up personal gear before 7:30 please account for the extra time needed.At 3 minutes, before the top of each hour a whistle will be blown notifying the runners how much time is left before the race start. This is the only time warning provided. All runners are required to be in the starting corral before the top of the hour. Failure to line up in the starting corral will result in the disqualification of the runner.At the top of every hour a trail run will begin and you have 1 hour to complete the loop. Absolutely NO late starts will be allowed. All runners much be in the starting corral when the gun go off.Each runner is required to “answer the bell”. This means they start their run at the top of the hour and leave the corral with the rest of the runners. If you have to tend to a pressing need (porta potty break, untied shoe, forgot a water bottle, etc.), do this after the top of the hour, after you have run out of the starting corral.The Race Director is the official keeper of time. Do not assume you know what the “official” race time is. Pay attention.The course is 100% marked and a map of the route will be available. No cutting the course. EQ is so.Each runner is required to run this entire loop before the hour (60 minutes) is over. Failure to complete the loop within 60 minutes will result in disqualification.The time needed to complete the loop does not matter, only that the runner be back at the start before the hour expires. Upon successful completion of the loop, all runners are considered “tied”. Speed does not matter in this event.At the top of the next hour and after the three whistle warnings, all runners will leave the corral for the same loop again.After completing the 3.5 mile loop, each runner may use their time between loops to do as they please (eat, tend to their feet, change clothes, use the port-a-potty, etc.) However they cannot leave the venue, nor can they start their next loop early. You are even allowed to nap during your “break” between loops. If the runner elects to sleep, it is their own responsibility to be awake before the next loop starts. Yes, a crew member can wake the runner up.Each runner will be provided an 10X10 spot to place a tent or can have a table spot area under the race-provided support tent. Bring a camp chair, warm clothes, sleeping bag or blankets as it may get cold overnight.If a runner elects to drop out and call it quits, he/she must present themselves to the Race Director BEFORE the next loop has started. At that time (and after much castigation, chastisement and a general tongue-lashing) the runner will press the “button of shame”, announcing their departure from the race. They will then be removed from the roster.This event may continue overnight and into the next day (or with any luck, until Monday!)Slower runners must allow faster runners to pass.Do NOT litter. There will be trash cans placed along the course. Stay on the marked trails.

RULES #2

No pacers are allowed, however support crews can provide help at the finish area. The run will continue as such every hour until only two runners remain. When one of those two runners fails to complete the loop within an hour, or fails to present themselves in the starting corral before the top of the hour, the one remaining runner will then have to complete one more loop on their own at which point they will be the sole "finisher". All other entrants will be granted a "DNW" as they failed to run as far as the finisher. It is the last person that drops out that dictates the length of this race.The last person to drop out is granted with the “assist”, as they determined the length of the race.The event is officially over when the lone “finisher” (our sole survivor) completes his solo lap alone. The finisher is not allowed to continue on for additional solo laps beyond this last one.

VIDEO

What you get!

Free admission and parking to the Park.Timing ServicesSnacks and WaterFree PhotosCustom DNW medals

Event's current local time: 5:11 AM ET

Event details and schedule

5K – Saturday, November 14, 2026 9:15 a.m.

This is a timed event with several age/gender categories and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.

10K – Saturday, November 14, 2025 9:00 a.m.

This is a timed event with several age/gender categories, and awards will be made for 1st to 3rd places, in each category. Parking is abundant in Dahlonega, and all safety precautions will be taken. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.

Half Marathon (Mountain Marathon) Sunday, November 15, 11:30 am. to 3:00 pm

This event uses all the same forestry roads the US Rangers train on. Tough YES, but not too tough for runners capable of covering the 13.1 miles. This course starts and finishes on the airfield at Camp Merrill. Almost all of the half marathon course is off-pavement on service roads that curl through the Appalachian Mountains, only feet from the Appalachian Trail. Challenge yourself with two grueling hills where America’s best soldiers are trained. Parking is abundant. Food and Beverage will be available at the on-post service Club, The Overhang, after the event. This includes beer and wine and a full menu. You can count on some active duty Rangers to be running the course. Please visit (link) for further information and to register, or just buy a shirt and support our Ranger Vets.

Ranger Challenge - 5K OR 10K Plus Half Marathon

Sign up for two races - the 5K OR, the 10K on Saturday, November 14th AND the half marathon on SUNDAY, November 15th, for an extra challenge!

*Pre-registration strongly requested for planning purposes. Walk-up registrants will not be guaranteed a T-shirt for the event.

Event Details:

Race Day Registration 5K and 10K - SATURDAY, November 14th from 07:30-08:45am at Hancock Park

Race Start Times - 10K @ 9:00am and 5K @ 9:15am

Race Day Registration Half Marathon - SUNDAY, November 15th from 10:30am to 11:15am at the Overhang at Camp Merrill

Race Start Time @ 11:30am to 3:00 pm

Awards

5K awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 10 and Under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up

10K and Half Marathon awards - Overall Male/Female, Masters Male/Female and Age Groups 1st, 2nd and 3rd place starting at 14 and Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and Up

Top overall male/female per category are recognized with a Custom Crafted Ranger Plaque

• Additional purchase for long sleeve t-shirts and hoodies!