Sassafras Struggle

Sassafras Struggle

Hardest Road 8k in the WORLD

Sassafras Mountain - January 29th

Come run the hardest 8k or 8mile race of your life!  From the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center we will climb 5 miles to the HIGHEST PEAK in South Carolina! Sassafras Mountain stands at 3,554 feet above sea level and edges the North/South Carolina state line border! This will serve as the toughest road race in the state and you will get a front row view of the most beautiful overlooks in the entire state as you reach the lookout tower! Shuttles will be available and will depart every 10 minutes from the Sassafras mountain top back down the Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center.

• Date: January 29th 2022

• Packet Pickup: Will take place at Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center starting at 8:30am

• Aid Station: We will have water at the top of the mountain

• Place: Rocky Bottom, SC

• Directions: 123 Hancock Rd, Sunset, SC 29685

Events

• Sassafras 8k 10:30am 

  • 5 Miles on ROAD all the way to the top of Sassafras Mountain! 

  • Elevation Gain - 2000 Feet

  • Course Map HERE

• Sassafras 8 Mile 10:00am 

  • Includes 5 Miles on the Road to the top of Sassafras Mountain and then a 3 mile section of the Foothills Trail down to the road and another 2 miles of road back down to Rocky Bottom. 

  • Elevation Gain - 2200

  • Course Map HERE

Results

• Past Results

Connect

• Facebook Group

• Facebook Page

• Strava Club

Discounts and Membership

• All S.C.U.M (South Carolina Ultra Marathon) receive 20% OFF

Runner Resources

• Coaching & Training Plans: 10% OFF 

• Nutrition: First Shake FREE

• Apparel: 15% OFF & Free Shipping 

• Running Shoes: 15% OFF & Free Shipping

• Hydration: Tailwind at all Aid Stations

Packet Pickup

You can pick up your race bib and any apparel items purchased race morning near our timing tent at the start line. Packet Pickup will start 90 minute prior to the start of the race! Apparel will be for sale on race day. Race Day registration is also available but I will warn you now, you will not like the price. Best bet is to register now!

Race Swag

All race participants will receive an Upstate Ultra Sticker and a unique wooden finisher award. Not everyone likes shirts so we have provided an option to purchase an Upstate Ultra Tri-Blend Shirt, Performance Socks, Trucker Hat, or Trail Buff. 

Race Awards

Top 3 Male and Female will receive a custom hand made award by our partner of Next Up Opportunity! Each finisher will receive a finisher medal that will be branded with the race logo and come with a custom race patch on the backside! We will also publish our age group results that will coincide with our Race Series. To learn more about our race series and awards please visit our results page here: HERE

The Course - HERE

Let's be honest... On a road... Up a mountain... To the highest point in South Carolina! The course will have a series of directional arrows that will be placed at all intersections. Please follow all directional arrows to stay on course. 

Overall Top 3 Male and Female

Top 3 Age Group M&F divisions

• 11-14

• 15-20

• 21-29

• 30-34

• 35-39

• 40-44

• 45-49

• 50-54

• 55-59

• 60-64

• 65-59

• 70-older