Merrill's Mile

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. [email protected]

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!

guaranteed if you sign up after August 8

• Transition Area: Bike racks are coordinated to match with your assigned race number. Place your bike in the rack corresponding with your number

• Body Marking: All athletes will be marked with race number and age

• Swim Caps: Swim caps are provided in your race packet and must be worn. Your cap color identifies your swim start position

EVENT TIMELINE

• 6:00 a.m. Park opens

• 6:00 a.m. - 7:30 a.m. Check-in

• 7:30 a.m. Report to the beach for the swim seed positioning and duathlon course start

• 7:45 a.m. Start sequence information and last minute course updates

• 8:00 a.m. Race starts

• 11:00 a.m. Awards ceremony begins

TRIATHLON COURSE:

Swim Course: The 600 m swim starts off of the dock and finishes at the boat ramp and is marked by large START and FINISH signs.. Swimmers will swim 200 m out to the 1st buoy, make a left turn, swim parallel the shore for 200 m, then make a left turn for the final 200 m. The wetsuit ruling will be made when the USAT Official takes the race day water temperature reading on the morning of the race. Wetsuits are legal when the water temperature is below 78 degrees. The swim portion of the race will be conducted in a time trial start with athletes lining up in race number sequence and starting every 5 seconds.

Bike Course: The 10.9 mile bike course follows the beautiful roads of northern Hall County. Riders will turn right out of the park and follow North Browning Bridge Road north for approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right to head north on Clarks Bridge Road for an additional 2 miles. Turning left on Bogus Road, riders enter a 4 mile loop with rolling hills and green pastures on either side. The left turn at Napone Rd. brings the course back to Clarks Bridge Road. Turn right on to Clarks Bridge Road and follow for a half mile. Turn left onto North Browning Bridge Road and follow it back to the park.

The course is marked with directional signs and mile markers every two miles. All turns will be staffed with Tri the Parks personnel and uniformed Sheriff officers, but it is the racer’s responsibility to know the course. This course is open to traffic, so in addition to course turns, Sheriff personnel will be stationed at other significant intersections. Please do not turn just because a patrol car is at the intersection, look for signage and Tri the Parks personnel.

Run Course: The run is a 5k course consists of two laps around the paved walking path. Portions of this course will have runners traveling in both directions please stay to the right.

DUATHLON COURSE:

The duathlon run leg starts in the vicinity of the swim start. The run then follows the route described above (please note the duathlon run is not reversed at Don Carter State Park). The bike leg and second run leg are the same as the triathlon course.

AQUABIKE COURSE:

All Aquabikers start in the time trial swim start and complete the same swim and bike course as the triathletes. After completing the bike course, athletes should rack their bike and exit transition with the runners (opposite the bike in and out) and go around transition to the finish line. Aquabikers will find a green wristband in their packets to be worn during the race to help distinguish you.

COURSE MAP:

Course maps are available below and will also be included in your race packet.

PARKING:

Parking opens at 6:00 AM will be on a first-come, first serve basis and volunteer attendants will direct you to a space. Parking will begin in the primitive camping area. Overflow parking will be at the beach and then the horse-trailer parking area. Please remember to bring your photo ID with you as it is a long walk to race check-in/transition.

colorful autumn leaves and the charming energy of a college town. The course winds into the serene trails of Cupid Falls Park, where the soothing sounds of the waterfall greet you before opening up to scenic pathways along the creek.

From there, you’ll pass the Young Harris College athletic fields, where the mountain backdrop reminds you why this is running paradise. The route loops back through campus, taking in the historic buildings and lively student support, before a triumphant final stretch. Your glorious finish awaits at Sharp United Methodist Church, where volunteers will be cheering you on coming through the finisher's shoot to celebrate your run/walk achievement.

Due to elevation and various ground changes & conditions….No strollers and No Pets in the race.