Helen Holiday Half Marathon
Helen, GA
- Half Marathon, 10K
- Trail (Unpaved)
- Official race website
The Helen Holiday Half Marathon is an incredibly fun and scenic trail race. While this is not a flat race, your efforts are rewarded with views! You will run around a picturesque lake, by the jaw dropping Anna Ruby Falls and traverse miles of single track. Seasoned veterans and trail … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Dec 12):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 58 | 49 | 52 | 58 | 54 |
| L (°F) | 27 | 29 | 23 | 43 | 30 |
Find Nearby Lodging (hotel, rental, etc.):
Every year, a super fun place to be.
So I've done this race probably eight or ten times now, and I love it. The RD is chill and he is more interested in having fun than in finding … MORE
So I’ve done this race probably eight or ten times now, and I love it. The RD is chill and he is more interested in having fun than in finding courses that are certifiably 13.1, 50k, 10k, or whatever. The course distances are estimated and so if you are looking for a run that will match on your watch exactly (or even close to) what category of race you are running, then this race is not for you (nor are any of RunBum’s races). But if you are looking for a chill race community, a fun time, and a pretty course, then this one is a keeper. The HM course here is really pretty. Because I hurt my ankle the week before this race I dropped down to the 10k course this year, and there are not many hills, but you still get to see a nice course. You won’t see Anna Ruby Falls on this course like you do on the HM course, but you run around the lake and it’s a nice course.
On the 10k course there are no toilets and no aid stations. And he used to have beer at the end of the course, but this year he has water and gatorade. He does give out pint glasses and beanie hats, which is a nice change from the typical tee-shirts.
You can stay at the park lodge and walk to the race, or you can stay in Helen and drive to the race. Helen is a circus this time of year so although I usually stay in Helen, I don’t do much driving over this weekend except for to/from the race. We get in and get out. If there was one thing I would improve about this race it would be to have it on a different weekend. It is typically held, I believe, on the first weekend that Helen has its Christmas lights up, and that’s a big draw for the town on that weekend. Have it the week after, perhaps. Anyway, as is, it is worth running if you are within 3-4 hours driving and want to make a weekend of seeing this part of Georgia on the backroads.
Always a good race!
I've done this race maybe six times. It's a great race, a beautiful course, and in a nice park. Parking is easy, and this running community is pretty friendly. It's … MORE
I’ve done this race maybe six times. It’s a great race, a beautiful course, and in a nice park. Parking is easy, and this running community is pretty friendly. It’s always short of an actual 13.1 miles so if you are a purist, this ain’t your race. If you are looking to come out, run some hills, see a pretty place, and enjoy yourself, this is a good race to do that.
Helen, GA can be a little obnoxious this time of year. If you don’t like lots of tourists then stay at the lodge. If you like tourists and Christmas lights, then stay in downtown Helen. It’s about a 10’ish minute drive to the start/finish.
Worth a few hours drive for this race, and stay for the weekend.
Beautiful Course
Super fun, great crowd, great production. Despite the cold and rain, everyone was in high spirits. Will definitely be doing more races by this company again. MORE
Super fun, great crowd, great production. Despite the cold and rain, everyone was in high spirits. Will definitely be doing more races by this company again.
Great race, I go back every year
This is a fun race, for me anyway. Helen is a little obnoxious and I wish the town were a little less filled with tourists like me. Traffic is bad … MORE
This is a fun race, for me anyway. Helen is a little obnoxious and I wish the town were a little less filled with tourists like me. Traffic is bad and you always have to wait in line for a place to eat. But the race is held on the first weekend Helen has Christmas lights, so that’s to be expected.
The race course is always different, and always enjoyable. The climb up to Anna Ruby Falls is brutal, but SO totally worth it. I don’t know how any runner can reach the top and not stop and take pictures of the falls. It really is just stunning. Part of the run is around a lake and ine year they had an electric guitarist – Metallica style – jamming solo on the sandy beach. Another year they had a bagpiper playing on the dock of the lack. You run right by them. This year there was no surprise on the lake. They also didn’t have the post-race beer, if that’s something you’ve enjoyed in the past.
This is a fun race and it’s intended to be low competition and Sean wants everyone to enjoy themselves. It would be nice if there were more than one aid station but there are a couple of places where you pass state park bathrooms and you can pop into one of those and refill your water bottle in the sink, if needed.
The weather for this race seems to always be bad. I think I’ve run this race five times now and the first year the weather was just damn cold. Maybe in the mid-20s at start, and finish. The other years it’s either been raining and a little warmer, or not raining but cold. This year it was in high 40s and misty, drizzly, but no rain.
The course is always challenging, even though it changes every year. One thing that would be nice is if the course would go through a bit more of downtown Helen so the locals could get a sense of the race and encourage them to come out and support. Or not… it is a bit early. In previous years the course did skirt the side of Helen downtown, but this year it did not.
In any case, Sean always puts on a great race here. I’ll be back again next year. That will be my sixth red beanie hat. I guess I need to start gifting these to family at this point!
This should be on your bucket list
Sean "run bum's" races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It's cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a … MORE
Sean “run bum’s” races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It’s cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a pint glass and free beer at the end of the race. The course seems to be modified a bit each year. One year it went by Angel Falls in the park, and other years you run by quiet wooded ponds. He seems to always have a surprise on the course as well. Once it was an electric heavy metal guitarist standing on the beach playing as you ran by on the sand. Another year it was a bagpiper playing on the dock of the pond. Always a great race, and Sean’s enthusiasm is part of what makes his races so great.
For those purists who want their half marathon’s to be exactly 13.1 miles, this isn’t your race. Sean’s races almost always fall short of 13.1 by up to a mile. He’s pretty upfront about that, and unapologetic. And all the runners seem to enjoy the race anyway.
Awesome Beginners Trail Race
This is a well organized event that is suitable for trail runners of all experience levels. They have great swag, a beautiful and challenging course, and a cute town near … MORE
This is a well organized event that is suitable for trail runners of all experience levels. They have great swag, a beautiful and challenging course, and a cute town near by for celebratory lunch and beverages. We appreciated the way the directors and most of the other runners managed and abided by the Covid-19 restrictions so we could all enjoy an in-person event finally!
Like heavy metal guitars at 6am?
Sean "run bum's" races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It's cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a … MORE
Sean “run bum’s” races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It’s cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a pint glass and free beer at the end of the race. The course seems to be modified a bit each year. One year it went by Angel Falls in the park, and other years you run by quiet wooded ponds. He seems to always have a surprise on the course as well. Once it was an electric heavy metal guitarist standing on the beach playing as you ran by on the sand. Another year it was a bagpiper playing on the dock of the pond. Always a great race, and Sean’s enthusiasm is part of what makes his races so great.
For those purists who want their half marathon’s to be exactly 13.1 miles, this isn’t your race. Sean’s races almost always fall short of 13.1 by up to a mile. He’s pretty upfront about that, and unapologetic. And all the runners seem to enjoy the race anyway.
Like bagpipes?
Sean "run bum's" races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It's cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a … MORE
Sean “run bum’s” races should be on your bucket list. This race is great. It’s cold, but there is a great pre-race party the night before, and they offer a pint glass and free beer at the end of the race. The course seems to be modified a bit each year. One year it went by Angel Falls in the park, and other years you run by quiet wooded ponds. He seems to always have a surprise on the course as well. Once it was an electric heavy metal guitarist standing on the beach playing as you ran by on the sand. Another year it was a bagpiper playing on the dock of the pond. Always a great race, and Sean’s enthusiasm is part of what makes his races so great.
For those purists who want their half marathon’s to be exactly 13.1 miles, this isn’t your race. Sean’s races almost always fall short of 13.1 by up to a mile. He’s pretty upfront about that, and unapologetic. And all the runners seem to enjoy the race anyway.