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Beautiful Waterfalls

($15: Ages 1 - 17)

8:00AM EDT 6:00PM EDT

Upstate Race Series / Upstate Trail Series

Jones Gap Trail Half Marathon

13.1

Beautiful waterfalls, and 2,000 feet of climbing to reach them

Sat, Sep 12

2026

8:00 AM

start

River Falls Lodge

Marietta, SC

Register

Course map Directions Race groups Donate Results Race photos Apparel

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Thirteen miles through the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area, starting on road into Jones Gap State Park and then handing you over to challenging singletrack. Rainbow Falls, the Rim of the Gap Trail, and Little Pinnacle Mountain, with roaring falls and Middle Saluda River crossings across 13,000 acres of pristine woodlands. Two thousand feet of gain, and every foot of it earns you something worth looking at.

Runner Feedback

Race Day Details

Saturday, September 12, 2026 at River Falls Lodge, River Falls Lodge Rd, Marietta, SC 29661. Get directions.

7:00 AM

Packet pickup opens

7:00 AM on race day, right on site at River Falls Lodge — the same location as the start and finish.

8:00 AM

Start

The 13.1-mile route begins on road leading into Jones Gap State Park.

On course

Falls and singletrack

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.

Finish

Pancakes at the lodge

Afterward there are hot pancakes, music, and a social gathering back at the lodge, plus complimentary professional race photos.

1:00 PM

Time limit

5 hours.

After

Results and photos

Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page.

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

PicklesCookiesChipsAssorted candyFig NewtonsPretzels

Hydration

WaterCokeGinger ale

Cup-less event — please bring your own hydration vessel.

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:

Upstate Trail Series

Age Group Categories

0–9

10–12

13–16

17–19

20–29

30–34

35–39

40–44

45–49

50–54

55–59

60–64

65–69

70–79

80+

Giving Back

This race supports

Polk County Human Services

Provides food, energy assistance, child welfare and other help to families across Polk County, North Carolina.

Visit Polk County Human Services Donate

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

$5 Discount & Refund for Groups with 5+ Members

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.

Create or join a race group

Good to Know

Are dogs allowed on the course?

Yes — we love pups.

Are headphones or earbuds allowed?

Yes, rock on, but keep your head on a swivel for snakes, small bears, and of course the directional arrows keeping you on the right track.

Can someone else pick up my packet for me?

Negative, Ghost Rider.

Is there race-day registration?

Sure thing — you can register on your personal mobile device up until the gun goes off.

Where are the start and finish lines?

Start and finish are both at River Falls Lodge.

Is there gear check or somewhere to leave personal items?

Yes. There is a large pavilion, and vehicles are within 50 meters of the start/finish line, so runners can leave belongings in either.

Are there restrooms near the start/finish or on course?

No bathrooms on the course, but there are plenty of woods... and mountains.

Will I get a medal or a shirt?

All finishers receive a medal, plus age group medallions for placement. Apparel can be purchased separately.

What happens if there's bad weather?

Upstate Race Series races run rain or shine. In the event of lightning, extreme heat, or hazardous winter conditions, we'll post an update on this page and email registered runners as early as possible. Entry fees aren't refunded for weather delays — see Managing Your Registration below.

Can spectators come watch?

Spectators are welcome. Runner parking fills up race morning — if you're only here to cheer, plan for overflow parking nearby.

When will results and photos be available?

Live results post to the RunSignUp results page as each runner finishes. Free event photos are usually up within 48–72 hours on our Facebook page — we'll tag the album so it's easy to find.

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:

✓	Transfer your entry to another runner

✓	Switch to a different distance at this race

✓	Transfer your entry to a different Upstate Race Series event

✓	Update your personal details — name, address, emergency contact, shirt size

✓	Manage add-ons, store items, and apparel purchases

All entries are final. We do not offer refunds or deferrals — but every option above stays open to you right up to race day, so a change of plans does not have to mean a wasted entry.

Manage my registration