Jones Gap Trail Half Marathon

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Race Day Details

Saturday, September 11, 2027 at River Falls Lodge, River Falls Lodge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661. Get directions.

Course or Race Highlight

The Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area is the most spectacular terrain in the Upstate, and this course does not water it down. The road opening lets the field spread out, and then the singletrack takes over — genuinely challenging trail with river crossings, rock, and sustained climbing that puts Rainbow Falls and Little Pinnacle within reach of a half marathon.

Two aid stations sit at roughly mile 2 and mile 11, which means a long unsupported stretch through the middle where you are carrying your own. This is a cup-less race, so a bottle or vest is not optional here. Afterward there are hot pancakes, music, and a social gathering back at the lodge, plus complimentary professional race photos.

The Course

The 13.1-mile route begins on road leading into Jones Gap State Park, then transitions to challenging single-track trails taking in Rainbow Falls, the Rim of the Gap Trail, and Little Pinnacle Mountain within the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area. Expect roaring falls and Middle Saluda River crossings across 13,000 acres of pristine woodlands, with 2,000 feet of total elevation gain.

View the course map

Parking

Free, right on site at River Falls Lodge, with a larger adjacent field for participant vehicles.

Aid Stations

Two aid stations, at roughly mile 2.2 and mile 10.9 — a long stretch in between where you carry your own.

Available snacks

Hydration

What's Included

Free On-Site Parking
River Falls Lodge, with a larger adjacent field for participant vehicles. Custom Race Bib
Your badge of the journey. Chip Timing & Live Results
Track your effort, splits included. Race Branded Finisher Medal
To commemorate the triumph. Custom Race Tattoo
Wear the moment proudly. Event-Themed Giveaways
A little extra swag for finishing strong. Race Stickers
Keep the memory riding shotgun on your bottle, cooler, or laptop. Post Race Pancakes
Refuel with some pancakes and fresh fruit post race! Post Race Vibes and Media Coverage
Complimentary professional race photos capture the grit and the glory — hang around at the finish line and celebrate.

From past races. See all race photos

Race Awards

Top 3 Overall (Male & Female)

The fastest three finishers will each receive a trophy to honor their achievement at the front of the pack.

Age Group Awards (Male & Female)

The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each of 15 age categories will earn an age group medal — a custom piece to add to your finisher's lanyard at the end of the event.

Series Recognition

This race counts toward season-long age group recognition in this series:

Series Awards

Run the series and earn more than a finish:

Series Finisher — finish 5 races in a series to earn that series’ Finisher coin and Finisher tee. Free and earned on the course, never sold.

Upstate 250 Club — log 250 or more race miles across Upstate Race Series events in a season to earn the 250 Club buckle.

The Anchor Award — the runner with the most race miles across the Upstate Race Series keeps the Anchor Award for the year, and their name goes on it for good.

Giving Back

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Every Upstate Race Series event is part of the Upstate Giving Series, which connects our 30 races with 30 nonprofit organizations serving communities across the Upstate. Your registration and any donation you add at checkout go to work close to home — you are not just running a race, you are funding the work of a neighbor. Upstate Giving Series.

Groups & Teams

The Upstate Running Club welcomes all local and regional running clubs to our events — the more the merrier. Calling all running clubs and social run groups: Upstate Race Series welcomes crews of all kinds to join the fun. Whether your squad is full of weekend warriors, sunrise chasers, or runners motivated by the promise of a cold drink at the finish, we've got an event for you.

Sign up, share with friends and local running clubs, and cash in on race discounts and refunds when your team, run club, or band of misfits hits 5 runners or more.

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Good to Know

Managing Your Registration

Everything about your entry lives in your RunSignUp profile. Sign in, find this race under your upcoming events, and make the change yourself — there is no need to email us first. From there you can:

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Race Video