Events
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Description
Welcome to the 3nd annual Hero Hill Climb! - Saturday, Memorial Weekend 2025
This is a great event to honor our fallen veterans and bring awareness to the good men & women serving in our military.
Walk, run or mountain bike...all ages...
Starting in front of Camp Merrill Army Ranger Base, you will be given a half-sheet card with the name of a fallen service member (Hero). Your mission is to carry your Hero up the gravel road to the top of the hill to honor their sacrifice. When you get to the top, there will be a large Hero board, an American flag, and a cast iron freedom bell. You will pin your Hero Card onto the Hero Board, ring the bell in their honor, and return back down the gravel road. The scenery is amazing, and you get to walk with the 5th Ranger Army Training Battalion! Each participant will also receive a special event Challenge Coin that you can pay forward or keep.
Afterwards, join the after-party at "The Overhang", Camp Merrill's on-base bar & grille for great food & beverages, raffle giveaways, and live music. Comfy event t-shirts and challenge coins are available on-site and online.
If you want to paticipate and are unsure of your physical fitness to walk up the gravel road, we'll have Jeeps and UTV/SxS vehicles to transport you up and down the mountain, so you can complete your mission safely. We even have a "virtual category" for those who want to participate but cannot attend in-person.
Partnering with the US Mountain Ranger Association (USMRA), the proceeds from this event will benefit both the USMRA as well as Mission22. Your contribution deploys critical support to our Heroes, by fostering community, financial assistance, and provides long-term wellness programs to prevent veteran suicide. You make an impact!
Help us spread the word by sharing with your friends, participating in the event, and gathering a team. Our Heroes deserve our best!
** We also need sponsors and volunteers! If you have a business or an organization that we can promote, your sponsorship will be accepted as a 501(c)3 contribution. Let's find creative ways to benefit our heroes, and promote you at the same time. Please contact Stephen at the "Race Contact" below.
Hero Hill Climb Facebook Page Link
2024 PHOTOS Gallery Link (credit to Justin Arndt at www.ourlocalheroes.com)
2023 PHOTOS Gallery Link (credit to Justin Arndt at www.ourlocalheroes.com)
Event Details
7:45am - Registration Check-in opens
8:45am - All Participants Meeting and Starting Ceremonies
9:00am - Rangers Lead The Way! The Hero Hill Climb begins.
Starting from Camp Merrill, you will be going up Cooper Gap gravel road to the top intersection at Cooper Gap/FS-42-2.
Course Distance = 3 miles to the top and 1000ft of easy gradual elevation gain. (like walking a 5k)
Surface Condition = smooth, hard pack gravel road.
Estimated time to walk to top = 1 hour going up, and a little faster coming down.
Estimated time to bike to top = 30 minutes going up, and 10 minutes to come down.
You can make as many loops as you like.
*For those that are unable to physically go up and down the mountain, we have trail taxis for you.
*If you walk up, and want to ride the trail taxi down, that is okay too!
12:00pm - cutoff time for last runner to go up the hill.
12:30pm - cutoff time for last biker to bo up the hill.
PARKING
We have three (3) Parking areas to choose from. (see yellow areas in picture below)
1) You can park in the Church Parking lot. (as space allows)
2) You can park on Hightower Church Road, on the same side as the Porta-Johns.
3) You can park in the Grass Field Parking behind the church. (recommended for SUV and truck due to a dirt entry path). The driveway entry is next to the Orange barracades on Camp Wahsega Rd, just before you get to the Camp Merrill. There is also a walkway that connects to the back of the church.
After-Party
Afterwards, come join us at "The Overhang", Camp Merrill's on-base bar & grille for great food & beverages, raffle giveaways, and music. It is run by Camp Merrill's Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
The Overhang is located just 800 feet to the left of Camp Merrill's front gate. See the map below. There is additional parking there.
- 1130am The Overhang is open for lunch and music. Lunch menu and prices are available on-site.
- 130pm Raffles and Giveaways will be announced, as well as the 50/50 winner.
- You can stay and fellowship as long as you like.
Race Contact Info
If you have any questions about this race, click the button below.
Directions
1 Merrill Dr, Dahlonega, GA 30533
