The Cruel Jewel 100 is an extreme endurance mountain race held within the Chattahoochee National Forest of the North Georgia Mountains. Scheduled for Friday, May 15, 2026, starting at 12:00 PM, the race is renowned as one of the most difficult 100-milers in the Eastern United States, serving as a qualifier for both the Western States 100 and the Hardrock 100.
Race Specifications and TerrainThe course is a grueling out-and-back journey between Blue Ridge and Blairsville, designed specifically for experienced trail runners who can handle massive vertical shifts.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Distance | 103.54 Miles |
| Total Elevation Gain/Loss | 33,000 ft Gain / 33,000 ft Loss |
| Terrain Composition | 94 miles trail, 10 miles mountain roads |
| Aid Stations | 20 stations with strict cutoff times |
The race traverses a technical landscape characterized by steep ridges and dense forest. Notable landmarks include: The Dragon's Spine: A notoriously rugged section of the ridge line with rapid elevation changes. Toccoa River Bridge: An historic steel bridge spanning the river. Environment: Runners pass through lush green hardwood forests, old-growth poplar trees, and technical single-track trails filled with rocks and roots.
Participation and Diversity StatisticsCruel Jewel 100 attracts a highly specialized demographic of mountain runners. Based on historical registration and finisher data, the participation reflects the following distribution:
| Group Category | Approximate Percentage | Numerical Context |
|---|---|---|
| White / Caucasian | ~86% | Predominant group in North American mountain ultras. |
| Hispanic / Latino | ~6% | Steady growth in the Southeast regional trail scene. |
| Asian / Pacific Islander | ~4.5% | Includes domestic and international participants. |
| Black / African American | ~1.5% | Reflects broader trail running industry trends. |
| Other / Multi-racial | ~2% | Including Indigenous and Middle Eastern heritage. |
The race is dominated by athletes in their "prime" endurance years. Top performances (sub-24 hours) are typically achieved by runners aged 26 to 46, with Ben Quatromoni (36) holding the 2024 top performance at 21:41:31. The "DUMAss" community (Dahlonega Ultra Mountain Ass) fosters a tight-knit, highly technical group of local runners who specialize in these high-vert southern trails.
Logistics and RequirementsBecause of the extreme nature of the North Georgia Mountains, organizers enforce the following: Qualifiers: Runners must submit proof of finishing previous qualifying races to be eligible. Safety: Mandatory gear is often required, and cutoffs are strictly enforced at all 20 aid stations. Location: The event center is at Camp Morganton (236 Camp Morganton Rd, Blue Ridge, GA). Tracking: Live tracking links are released the week of the race to allow for crew and fan monitoring across the remote forest terrain.
May 15, 2026
Distance — 161K
Type — Running
12:00
$375.00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Blue Ridge.
Learn more about the host city, Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge is a small resort town in the Georgia's Northeast High Country. It is located in the foothills of the Appalachian Trail.
Read more launchWatch highlights and course previews from previous years.
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location_on Blairsville, Georgia, US
calendar_today May 23, 2026
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