FATS 50K, Half Marathon & 10K - 2026 Event
No Crab. No Deep Step. ALL Grit.
Dear FATS runners,
We're excited to announce that the FATS 50K, Half Marathon, and 10K will return on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
This year's course has been thoughtfully designed to showcase some of the best trails FATS has to offer while providing a fun, challenging, and memorable race experience. Expect rolling singletrack, roots, rocks, fast sections, and plenty of the signature terrain that has made FATS a favorite destination for trail runners across the Southeast.
COURSE INFORMATION
View the Course Map
- 50K:
Loop 1: CCW on Great Wall to Aid 1.
Loop 2: CCW on Skinny to Loop 3.
Loop 3: CCW on Brown Wave to Aid 2, then finish Loop 2 CCW on Skinny to Aid Station 3.
Loop 4: CCW on Skinny to Aid Station 4.
Loop 5: CW on Great Wall to Finish.
- Half Marathon:
Loop 1: CCW on Skinny.
Loop 2: CCW on Skinny.
- 10K:
Loop 1: CCW on Skinny.
- Aid Stations: Fully stocked with fluids, fuel, and volunteer support, plus water-only drops on course.
We're grateful to host this race again and can't wait to welcome runners back for another gritty day on the trails.
Location: Forks Area Trail System (FATS), Sumter National Forest, SC
Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026
Start Times: 8:00 AM (50K), 8:30 AM (Half Marathon), 8:45 AM (10K)
Thank you,
Race Director
How Can I Support Local Trails?
Trail Cleanup and Donations | You can help support by joining trail cleanup events or donating, more information is available on the SORBA CSRA page
Race Day Schedule
• Volunteers begin to arrive: 5:15 am
• Check-in and Bib pick up: 6:00 am to 7:30 am
• Pre-race meeting: 7:45 am
• Race start: 8:00 am for 50K runners
• Race start: 8:30 am for Half Marathon runners
• Race start: 8:45 am for 10K runners
The half marathon runners will have a delayed start behind the 50K runners.
The 10K runners will have a delayed start behind the Half Marathon runners.
Directions to the Race Start
GPS Coordinates to the parking lot: 33.608532,-82.079662
Google Maps
Packet Pick Up
You will have two options this year for bib & packet pick up. On Saturday, November 1st, you can pick up your bib from the Fleet Feet Sports from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. The address for Fleet Feet in Augusta is:
229 Furys Ferry Rd. #107
Augusta, GA 30907
Race day bib pick up will be the morning of the race at the picnic table at the back of the parking lot. Bib pick up will begin at 6:00 am and end at 7:30 am.
Course Description
50K Trail Order:
Loop 1: Great Wall Counter Clockwise (CCW) to Aid Station 1
Loop 2: Skinny (CCW) to Loop 3
Loop 3: Brown Wave (CCW) to Aid Station 2, finish with Skinny (CCW) to Aid Station 3
Loop 4: Skinny (CCW) to Aid Station 4
Loop 5: Great Wall (CW) to the Finish Line
Half Marathon Trail Order:
Loop 1: Skinny (CCW) Check-in Aid 1
Loop 2: Skinny (CCW) Check-in Aid 1 then FINISH.
10K Trail Order:
Loop 1: Skinny (CCW) Check-in Aid 1 then FINISH.
Trail Marker Colors:
Bright Red = Great Wall
Blue = Skinny
Orange = Brown Wave
Course Signage
The course will be marked at specific turns with signage. Since this race is on 99% single-track trails with almost no side trails.
The FATS 50K is held at the Forks Area Trail System (aka FATS), located in Sumter National Forest near North Augusta, SC. The course is a series of 3 primary loops, Great Wall, Skinny, and Brown Wave, with the Great Wall Loop being repeated a second time to complete the 50K distance. The trails are single-track, shaded, rolling terrain, with rocks and roots, but very well maintained and runnable.
Aid Stations
FATS 50K has two primary aid stations. The first aid station will be crossed a total of three (3) times. The second aid station will be crossed once. At each aid station there will be a team of volunteers recording your bib numbers as you enter the aid stations. Please be sure to call out your bib number to them so you can be accounted for. Please make sure your bib is visible somewhere on the front of your body. The FATS 50K is CUP FREE event, so be sure to bring your own handheld hydration bottle. Each aid station will have water, Gels, Coke, Mountain Dew and ginger ale to drink. There will be an assortment of snacks, fruit, chips, salt and potatoes, salt caps and PB&J sandwiches. There will also be two WATER ONLY aid stations at the beginning of the Brown Wave connector (near the bench on Skinny) and at the half way point on the Great Wall trail.
Drop Bags
If you want to make use of a drop bag, you can have a drop bag sent to the main aid station(Aid Station 1, 3, & 4). Please have your name and bib number on the drop bag. This aid station is a half mile from the finish line so you can easily get your bag if it is not back by the time you finish. No drop bags at Aid Station 2.
Parking
Parking is somewhat limited at the race start/finish area. Please consider carpooling if you can and parking close enough to vehicle next to you to allow the maximum amount of cars in the lot. We will also be providing overflow parking down the FS road next to the main parking area. There will be parking directors leading you to available locations.
Trail Safety
Pets
For the safety of runners and volunteers, please do not bring pets to the race. While I love dogs myself, races are not an ideal environment for four-legged friends due to the high level of activity, crowds, and unfamiliar settings. Even the most well-behaved dog can become stressed in this environment, and the last thing anyone wants is an accident on the trails. Please allow your pets to stay home and rest while you run.
Trail Traffic
The FATS 50K takes place on public-use trails, and you may encounter other trail users on race day. The FATS trails are highly regarded mountain bike trails, and riders often travel from across the country to enjoy them. The local chapter of SORBA is aware of the race and encourages riders to use other area trails on race day, but there is still a chance you may encounter mountain bikers or hikers. If you do, please step to the side of the trail and allow them to pass, it’s quicker and safer for runners to yield than for bikers to dismount. Most of the cycling community stays away during the race, but always be prepared to share the trail.
Trail Safety
The FATS trails are remote, with limited access points, making it challenging to reach injured runners quickly. Each trail is marked every half mile with distance markers. If you encounter an injured runner, please assess the situation: stay with them if needed, and send another runner to the nearest aid station or volunteer for help. If you carry a phone, you may call me directly in an emergency. Be prepared to report the nearest mileage marker and which trail you are on. In the event of sudden severe weather, prioritize your safety and proceed only when conditions allow.
Hotels/Camping
The hotels along the Washington Rd./I-20 corridor in Augusta, GA, are going to be the closest to the race start. These hotels are approximately 15-20 minutes from the race start.
If you prefer to camp, there are campgrounds at Petersburg Campgrounds at Lake Thurmond. These campgrounds are approximately 10-15 minutes from the race start.
Wet Trail Policy
Wet Trail Policy will be in effect for this event. Should weather or wet trail conditions keep the race from occurring, the FATS 50K and Half Marathon, we will make an effort to still have the race on FS roads if approved in time; otherwise, the event will be canceled, and no refunds will be given. If this happens, the proceeds of this event will be donated back to fund trail maintenance.
FATS 50K & HALF Facebook Page
Follow along for up-to-date info about the FATS 50K & Half Marathon race!
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Event Proceeds
The proceeds from this event go directly back to fund future years of this event along with these other local events and organizations:
SORBA - CSRA
Rut Rogue 40 Miler, 40K and Relay
Flow Master Mountain Bike Race
Augusta Trail Runners
Augusta Eagles XC Team
Race Director
Nathan Maxwell
Event's current local time: 8:14 PM ET
