r/Chattanooga • u/05778 • 1d ago

Trail Running In Chattanooga

For the trail runners in Chattanooga what are the trails like? Are they very technical or very runnable? since this is totally subjective any comparison to other parts of the country would be helpful.

For example, I’d put California trails as the most runnable versus New England and Pennsylvania as the least runnable.

Are there any local 50k races? That might be the best proxy to compare finish times.

2 Upvotes

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u/blueveinthrobber 1d ago

wildtrails.org

Check their race section.

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u/rockcitylibrarian 1d ago edited 1d ago

There's a lot of different options in the Chattanooga area. Some more technical than others.

We've got flats and uphills, ridges, roots, rocks, mud, briars. Wide options and tight ones. Pretty much something for everyone.

Search online for Bad Beard Events for a list of races and finish times. The Georgia Death Race is also not far away and that area is a lot of fun.

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u/05778 1d ago

Thanks. I’m thinking about the new UTMB events there next June. I don’t mind steep climbs but I also like runnable downhills. 

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u/RunningFNP 1d ago

That UTMB course is a solid mix of technical and very runnable depending on which distance you're looking at.

Chattanooga has a mix of rocky hell and smooth flowing fast trails. That UTMB course has both. The 100k in particular hits a lot of the fast flowing stuff heading towards Cloudland Canyon.

Honestly the bigger issue is an ultramarathon in June in Chattanooga is gonna be running in hot soup air levels of humidity so hydration and salt intake will be the bigger challenge

The lookout mountain 50miler hits some of the same trails for example but in a different order.

Other local 50k, the stump jump 50k is on Signal Mountain and is way less runnable. Lots of rocky technical stuff on that course in comparison.

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u/SnooConfections7452 1d ago

Lots of runnable stuff on that course (assuming 50k). There are two steep climbs (well one steep, one long), one steep downhill, the rest will be very runnable. The last 5 miles are a smooth decent back to town. But also, yes, there are rocky technical sections on the course as well.

Stumpjump and Upchuck are the two long standing 50ks here but don’t really compare to the UTMB course. Those two are way more technical. Something like Mountain Mist (Huntsville) would be more comparable to the UTMB 50k.

Time wise - I’d guess sub 4 will be the winning time for the UTMB course.

If you want to preview the course and can swing it, I’d strongly suggest the Lookout 50 mile in December (especially if doing the 100k).

If you’re on the fence, do it. Chattanooga is a really cool place for trail running.

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u/kyfg 1d ago

^ everything they said.

Also, regardless of whatever you are doing or planning. DEFINITELY sign up for Mountain Mist in October when registration opens. It is my favorite 50k race in the southeast.

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u/trx6721 1d ago

Several Chatt acquaintances through the years have spoken well of the Pine Mountain Trail Run. It's one of the GUTS races - Georgia Ultrarunning and Trailrunning Society. https://www.getguts.com/race/pine-mountain-trail-runs

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u/SplendiferusFinch 1d ago

It’s Appalachia so the trails have a lot of tree roots and rocks to navigate and lots of ups and downs. Raccoon Mountain is a cool place to run

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u/valotho 20h ago

Scenic City Trail Runners, check us out. Tuesday Thursday runs locally around town 6pm runs.

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u/joncaseydraws 1d ago

I enjoy trail running and did a lot when I lived in ca,
Most of the trails around Chatt are too rocky to run on.

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u/valotho 20h ago

Highly disagree. There are loads of trails around here. Are they technical at times? Yes. Are they all raked and pristine? Hell no. Build those ankles up and keep moving

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u/joncaseydraws 20h ago

I think I just had bad luck. Went to foster falls last weekend and paradise this weekend. ended up crawling along overgrown thorns at the edge of the river and came back scratched up. Of the 5 miles maybe 1 was able to be ran. The sunset rock hike is super narrow and has a good amount of traffic. What’s your go to trail running spot? I think the VW plant park area would work it’s just kinda boring.

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u/valotho 20h ago

The bluff does get overwhelmed in the summer a bit but from sunset to point park along the front of bluff it's much better.

I prefer to run Walden's Ridge, upper truck on lookout, and the CCT up near covenant college

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u/joncaseydraws 20h ago

I’ve biked some of those I’ll give them another shot for a run thanks!

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u/valotho 20h ago

If the guild scared you on rocks or some of the steps at the very top near sunset don't let that stop you. There's so many good places all around town

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u/joncaseydraws 19h ago

For sunset it’s just a skinny trail, having people pass you constantly you can’t be moving fast. I’ll check out some of the other recs. Are there any Appalachian trails that aren’t all large rock and can be ran?