The South Carolina Ultra Trail Runs are a series of four events held during the year in different locations throughout the state, giving runners an opportunity to challenge themselves, test their endurance and have an enjoyable adventure while exploring some beautiful areas.
Although each participant will be timed, I prefer to call these events runs, rather than races. You are only competing against yourself and your goal is to finish. My goal, as organizer and race director, is to provide you, the runner, with what you need to be able to finish while hopefully having fun. After more then 25 years and well over 200 ultras completed, ultras are still my passion. I want to give back to the sport and encourage others to follow in my footsteps. All of the events will be low-key, but will be the kind of events that I would want to participate in.
In 2009, the SC Ultra Series will be "going green," and I will be implementing some changes to make the events more environmentally friendly.
Each run will cover a well-marked, 100% trail course, have fully-stocked aid stations, helpful volunteers, food at the finsh, no cut-off times and unique finisher's awards. You won't get alot of extra frills, but you won't pay outrageous entry fees either. In fact, there will not be any set entry fees, but I would appreciate donations to cover the expenses of aid stations, food at the finish, supplies and finisher's awards, as I don't receive any monetary support from any person or organization. It is only donations that keep these events going.
If you want to participate, mail the entry form with your information and signed waiver, however, I will accept your information via e-mail. Please enter at least one week prior to the event to be guaranteed a finisher's award.
There will be a special award to runners completing all 4 events.

David Ray tells it all about Chattoga 50K 2009!

Foothills and Face Plants - A Chattooga 50K Story from Christian Griffith!

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Hey Terri, I raced yesterday at the Buncombe Trail Ultra as my first Ultra, and I survived!! I was talked into this less than 3 weeks by my friend Mike Riggins. When he first asked me to do it I told him he was crazy, but after I checked out your website I felt it was a challenge I couldn't say no to. After reading about your vision and the great things past participants had to say about it, I quickly printed off a registation sheet and signed up. I was eager to see what these 'crazy ultra runs' were all about. Mike had great things to say about you and how organized your races were. I loved how laid back every thing was, very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. I was very impressed with your aid stations and the volunteers. Every thing I could have needed was there. Please thank your volunteers for me, they were all very supportive and eager to help me with anything I needed. I thanked them all myself as I left each station, but they deserve a big hand for their time and efforts. It was so nice to come back to the finish to have food waiting on us all. I met your son in law who was really cool and helpful. There were three things I learned from my first Ultra:
1) The miles really clicked off quicker than I thought they would. I guess going in with a goal of just finishing helped.
2) I really underestimated the pace I could hold. I at first thought a 8 minute mile was realistic, but soon after I finished realized that an 8 1/2 mile pace was what I actually done. It was more challenging than I anticipated.
3) Use Body Glide for the feet next time instead of Second Skin adhesive. The creeks and wet grass soon made for miserable feet as the adhesive peeled off.
I enjoyed your event and the hand made finishers award. This award by far is one I am most proud of. I have trophies and medals from road races, marathons, and triathlons, but this one is the best so far. As I got up this morning, with alot of help from painkillers and my wife, I went to register for the Chatooga 50K. I was really disappointed to see that it was already full. I did not register before now because I had no idea if Ultras would be for me. It seems, as the pains continue to plague my legs, that Ultras are something I may seem to have taking a weird interest in. Is there any way you could get me on the list to run the Chatooga 50K? I would greatly appreciate anything you could do to get me in. Again, thanks for all you do to promote the sport and to give back. I'm so impressed with what you have accomplished. There is never a reason to use age as an excuse to quit running.
See you on the trails,
Jeff Dixon

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Ms. Hayes, Thank you. Yes, this was my first ultra, but I have run a few marathons before, including a semi-trail marathon in Dupont Forest. I really loved the Buncombe course, the aid stations were extremely well stocked, and all the volunteers were very friendly. I'm hoping to run one of your ultras in the fall if I have time. Thanks again for putting together such a well organized and fun run.
Bryson Hi Terri, just wanted to say thanks to you and all the volunteers for all the hard work and long hours you must have spent to put on a fantastic event. This was my first time running in one of the SC Ultra Trail runs but it won't be my last. The very low-key atmosphere was especially refreshing and I think it allows everyone to just relax and enjoy the 'walk in the woods'.
Thanks again Terri for all your hard work.
Doug Failla

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Hi Terri,I just wanted to say thank you for putting on such a great event. I loved the low-key aspect of it. The aid stations were more than equipped to take care of any needs we may have had. Some of us did get a little lost along the way, but we eventually got back on track. This was my first ultra, but it definitely won't be my last. Thank you to you and your volunteers for an awesome day and a great experience.
Joy Watson

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Terri, Thank You for the great run you put on Saturday!! had a wonderful time and the food was great. My Doctor could not believe I finished on 2 knee replacements. He just does not know I hope (will) complete all your trail runs. When they call me crazy they can not understand why I thank them for the greastest complement they can bestow upon me. See you at Chattooga
best regards
Mike Riggins