Races
Cruel Jewel
Blairsville, Georgia. One hundred six miles. Twenty-six thousand feet. Blood Mountain twice.
106 mi+17,703 ft-16,925 ft48 hours2,648 ft to 3,699 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookBlood MountainPinhoti connectorWSER qualifierMay
Distance106 mi
Gain+17,703 ft
Loss-16,925 ft
Altitude2,648 ft to 3,699 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 85°F
- Start2,779 ft
- High3,699 ft
- Low2,648 ft
- Finish3,556 ft
Field, 2026 · 13-year samplescraped
Starters207
Finish rate69%
Median36:30
Fastest25:04
Geometryderived
Steepest drop1,033 ft-8.7% over 2.2 mi
Night miles33 misunset near 19:00 local
Course records
Men9:59:30Trey Clark
Women24:50:52Sarah Ostaszewski
The cruxBlood Mountain double crossing on the Pinhoti connector (near mile 69)
Course DNA
The Course
Cruel Jewel runs 106 mi through Georgia. +17,703 ft gain and -16,925 ft loss. Surfaces skew 85% trail / 15% forest road. Blood Mountain double crossing on the Pinhoti connector. High point near 3,699 ft. Low near 2,648 ft. May temps run 45°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 53.
The Work
Train for 17,703 feet of climbing across 106 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 48 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 69.
Kit
May in Georgia: plan for 45°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 48 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 27. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 85% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 53.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 27. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 53. Blood Mountain double crossing on the Pinhoti connector near mile 69 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 35 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Cruel Jewel finish lines.
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Sources (3)
- Field stats (2026): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=128792
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=40134
- Course record (F): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=109094