Come experience a part of Cherokee County that you’ve probably never seen… explore the historic Sutallee Trace as part of the Sutallee Trace Trail Challenge! This beautiful and rugged trail run takes you along scenic ridgelines, in lush creek valleys and along the banks of the Etowah River. Sutallee Trace …
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Come experience a part of Cherokee County that you’ve probably never seen… explore the historic Sutallee Trace as part of the Sutallee Trace Trail Challenge! This beautiful and rugged trail run takes you along scenic ridgelines, in lush creek valleys and along the banks of the Etowah River. Sutallee Trace is thought to have followed old Cherokee Indian pathways and was marked as a major area road of the Cherokee County Map of 1895.
Both courses begin at Boling Park in Canton, GA. The 4.5 mile course runs along the Etowah River, then heads up a beautiful valley, following the ridgeline before dropping back down to the river on a trail that meanders along a stream.
The 10 mile course utilizes many of the same trails in the 4.5 mile, however it heads further west through the hills above the Etowah River on little-known scenic footpaths built by local boy scouts. The remote sections of the 10 mile course are very seldom traveled, but some of the most scenic sections of trail. Come discover this hidden gem of a trail system and experience a part of Cherokee County that few have the opportunity to enjoy.
The running surface varies from flat, wide gravel jogging path to rocky, narrow singletrack. Both courses have significant elevation gain, and the surface may be loose in sections, so trail running shoes are recommended.
Hikers and walkers are encouraged to enter but should strongly consider the 4.5 mile course as the recommended cutoff time for the ten mile course is three hours. Estimated 10 mile finishing time for an “average” runner is approximately 2 hours. Detailed course maps can be found below:
This year’s 10.5 mile course is identical to the 2017 course. The 10.5 mile course begins the same as the 4.5 mile course, however turns early onto the orange trail and heads over to the Historic Mount Carmel Road and Huckleberry Hill. The western portion of the course will be run in reverse from previous years, adding some nice descents, better flow and more runnable uphill grades. After hitting the halfway aid station at Mile 5, runners will complete the green trail and then head back towards Boling Park, following the same course as the 4.5 mile. The final 3 miles are the same as prior years, so expect to hump it up a pretty long climb from about mile 7 to 8. Aid Station are located at Mile 2, 5, and 8.3. Total elevation gain is 1450′.
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