RACE STATUS UPDATE
As promised, here is our update regarding Merrill’s Mile. Please understand that everything that follows this next statement hinges ENTIRELY on Special Event Restrictions that are tentatively scheduled to expire on June 30th for military installations, including 5th Ranger Training Battalion (Camp Frank D. Merrill). If those restrictions are extended, Merrill’s Mile will be cancelled. That decision is one that is entirely out of our control as well as the control of the chain of command at Camp Merrill and the chain of command above them at the brigade level at Fort Benning.
We feel confident that we can execute a safe and enjoyable weekend of racing for Merrill’s Mile, if we are able to hold it. This year’s race will inevitably look different from every year previously. In a detailed email that will follow in the next few days to all registered participants, we will lay out what to expect this year from packet pickup to aid station supplies to communal/shared space (spoiler alert: there will not be any of that last one). We will share those details on social media as well as on Ultra Sign Up. If you are on the fence about signing up, we encourage you to wait for that post with all of the details before making your decision, to be sure that expectations from us and runners are understood.
In the event we are forced to cancel Merrill’s Mile, we will contact all registered participants regarding refunds, deferrals, and/or credit options.
Thank you, everyone, for being patient while we figure this all out and while we also wait patiently for what we hope to be good news on June 30th.
As promised, here is our update regarding Merrill’s Mile. Please understand that everything that follows this next statement hinges ENTIRELY on Special Event Restrictions that are tentatively scheduled to expire on June 30th for military installations, including 5th Ranger Training Battalion (Camp Frank D. Merrill). If those restrictions are extended, Merrill’s Mile will be cancelled. That decision is one that is entirely out of our control as well as the control of the chain of command at Camp Merrill and the chain of command above them at the brigade level at Fort Benning.
We feel confident that we can execute a safe and enjoyable weekend of racing for Merrill’s Mile, if we are able to hold it. This year’s race will inevitably look different from every year previously. In a detailed email that will follow in the next few days to all registered participants, we will lay out what to expect this year from packet pickup to aid station supplies to communal/shared space (spoiler alert: there will not be any of that last one). We will share those details on social media as well as on Ultra Sign Up. If you are on the fence about signing up, we encourage you to wait for that post with all of the details before making your decision, to be sure that expectations from us and runners are understood.
In the event we are forced to cancel Merrill’s Mile, we will contact all registered participants regarding refunds, deferrals, and/or credit options.
Thank you, everyone, for being patient while we figure this all out and while we also wait patiently for what we hope to be good news on June 30th.
Race Info MERRILL'S MILE is a certified
|
|
JUST THE FACTS
DATE: July 3-5, 2020 START TIME: 9am, 9pm Friday & Saturday LOCATION: Camp Frank D. Merrill, Dahlonega, GA EVENTS: 6hr, 12hr, 24hr & 48hr Timed Events PACKET PICKUP TIMES & LOCATION: **Race Day: 1 hour prior to each race start at Camp Frank D. Merrill **You MUST present your government issued photo ID in order to ENTER CAMP MERRILL AND PICK UP YOUR PACKET** 6hr Race Options: * Start time: 9am Friday July 3rd * Start time: 9pm Friday July 3rd * Start time: 9am Saturday July 4th * Start time: 9pm Saturday July 4th 12hr Race Options: * Start time: 9am Friday July 3rd * Start time: 9pm Friday July 3rd * Start time: 9am Saturday July 4th * Start time: 9pm Saturday July 4th 24hr Race Options: * Start time: 9am Friday July 3rd * Start time: 9am Saturday July 4th 48hr Race Option: * Start time: 9am Friday July 3rd |
PHOTOS
2017 Runners in the July 4th Spirit
|
UltraFinisher Interview
with Nate Ridgeway
Merrill's Mile 12hr
Todd & Emily Bello
Merrill's Mile 48hr
Hilary Runs
Merrill's Mile 12hr
Run Ransom Run's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
NC Ultrarunner's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
Dustin Shelley's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
with Nate Ridgeway
Merrill's Mile 12hr
Todd & Emily Bello
Merrill's Mile 48hr
Hilary Runs
Merrill's Mile 12hr
Run Ransom Run's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
NC Ultrarunner's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
Dustin Shelley's
Merrill's Mile 24hr
Course Information
- The course is a 12' wide 1 mile PAVED loop with approximately 10' of elevation gain per loop.
- Runners will change directions every 6 hours.
- There will be one fully stocked aid station at the start/finish line with plenty of typical race foods available all day (water, sports drink, pretzels, bananas, oranges, PB&J as well as lots of homemade foods all day). There will also be a second aid station with water only at the half way point.
- Bathroom facilities will be Port-O-John's along the course
- The Main Aid will be at the Start/Finish area.
Race Rules
- No pacers allowed. Guest bibs are available at the timing tent and are meant for friends/family to run/walk 1-2 laps at a time. There are limited guest bibs.
- Headlamps are required for all racers running overnight. The course has no lights.
- Please notify event staff if you abandon the race prior to the finish time.
- There is no credit for partial laps. The distance after last FULL lap completed at the 6, 12, 24 or 48 hour mark will be official finish distance.
- Race bibs must be worn and be visible at all times.
- Only laps completed with timing chip will be credited. Runners are responsible for wearing their timing chips at all times while running.
- Runners may only be scored for awards under gender designated on government issued ID. Participants that elect to not disclose their gender or choose “Other” as their gender will not be included in scoring for awards.
Crew Information
- All racers are welcome to have crew support.
- Crews and runners are welcome to set up in the grass infield of the course.
- There will be no power, and there is poor cell phone service (only Verizon works), so come prepared.
Lodging
The closest town to the event site is Dahlonega, GA. Dahlonega has a few chain hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn and Quality Inn). There are a number of local boutique hotels, bed and breakfast inns and homes on VRBO & AirBNB. Forest Hills Resort and Amicalola Falls State Park are also quite close and offer lodging.
Camping
If dry camping is all you need, Camp Merrill allows runners to camp on the track infeld Thursday night prior to the event. Please do NOT arrive before 4pm.
The closest town to the event site is Dahlonega, GA. Dahlonega has a few chain hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Days Inn and Quality Inn). There are a number of local boutique hotels, bed and breakfast inns and homes on VRBO & AirBNB. Forest Hills Resort and Amicalola Falls State Park are also quite close and offer lodging.
Camping
If dry camping is all you need, Camp Merrill allows runners to camp on the track infeld Thursday night prior to the event. Please do NOT arrive before 4pm.
