A trail running race featuring a 5K, half marathon and marathon on Saturday, April 14
Experience the best of the outdoors in Alpine Helen-White County, Georgia, while testing your endurance during the Helenback Race Series, a trail running race featuring a 5K, half marathon and marathon beginning at 7 a.m., Saturday, April 14.
Georgia-based trail running event company Helenback Race Series LLC is hosting its annual trail running event April 14, in charming Helen, Georgia.
The event features a challenging 5K, half marathon and marathon trail races–all of which will route runners through Unicoi State Park’s breathtaking terrain.
Runners will wind past waterfalls, push to spectacular outlooks and traverse verdant woods before reaching the finish line at a private property adjacent to Unicoi State Park.
At the finish, participants will receive a t-shirt, finisher’s pint glass, victory beer and post-race food and fun.
Helenback Race Series LLC was founded in late 2016 by Atlanta-based friends and runners Thad Gilliam, Jason Jordan and Dan Wilkins.
“So many people already love Helen for its unique downtown,” says Jordan. “With our racing events we hope to elevate the city’s status as a must-visit outdoor destination.”
White County was named Georgia’s Official Outdoor Adventure Destination by the state legislature in 2016.
Helen’s draw runs deep for Wilkins, whose mother served as a past Mayor of the town and whose grandfather was one of the initiators of the town’s whimsical Bavarian theme. “I truly feel blessed to have grown up in this special place,” says Wilkins. “As a kid, the surrounding mountains, Unicoi trails and streams that feed the Chattahoochee River were my playground. Now, I get to share this piece of heaven with others through our race events.”
Gilliam, meanwhile, who is a competitive ultra-marathoner, sees this race as a perfect entry race for people who are new to trail running. “You’re getting lots of single track trail, a stream crossing, views of Unicoi Lake, and some very tough climbs; it’s a tough race but very attainable. For me, trail running brings a joy and satisfaction to running that just can’t be matched on the paved roads.”
To register for the marathon, half marathon and 5K, visit HelenbackRaceSeries.com. Race entries will be accepted until April 8 and are priced at $45 for the 5K, $75 for the half marathon and $95 for the marathon (discounted pricing was available prior to January 31).