The last annual Heart of the South Road Race (400 and 350 miles)
The HOTS is an adventure for only the most daring. The runners will assemble on Wednesday morning, park their vehicles in a cornfield atop Sand Mountain in North Georgia, and board tour buses. The only thing they will know about their destination is that it will be between 350 and 400 miles away. Once they arrive, they will be able to access maps of the course they will take to get them back to their vehicles. After an overnight stay in a hotel, the field will be bused to the start the following morning. From there, with only the supplies they can carry or obtain along the way, they have 10.5 days to get back. Twice daily tracking will be maintained, and runners wishing to drop will be transported back to their vehicles. Finishers will be shuttled with their vehicles to motels near the finish for a safe sleep before getting behind the wheel.
There is no greater freedom, than being totally alone on the open road, relying only on your wits, your skill, and your physical ability to cover ground in order to reach the finish line. Come experience it for yourself.
Lottery
Initial Lottery will be held on August 1, 2026.... but do not despair if you are not initially chosen. You will be placed on a wait list...
Withdrawals are vigorously replaced from the wait list. And the replacement picks up velocity as the race date nears, ending with the Month of Fear the month before the event. Last year everyone on the wait list was eventually offered a place in the race. Train Like You Are In!!
Important Dates
Bus Ride: June 9, 2027
Race Start Date: June 10, 2027
10.5 day cutoff
Other
Refunds; 90% refunds are available until December 24. Refunds will be available after that time, dependent on the ability to replace the withdrawing entrant from the wait list. Refunds will be made on a declining scale: January thru February 80% refund; March and April 70% refund; May 50% refund.
Wait List; A wait list will be maintained after the race has filled... Withdrawals replaced from the wait list will receive a refund at the rate listed above.
Athletes will park their vehicles at the parking area at Castle Rock Ranch and ride tour buses backwards on the course to the start, where they will be lodged in double occupancy Motel rooms overnight, and then provided bus transportation to the start..
Check-Ins: All entrants are required to report their location by phone at 0730 and 1930 each day. Runners planning to be on break at check-in time may report early..... Failure to check in will result in a search for your body.
Dropping Out: Runners may choose to drop from the race at any time, by simply calling in and requesting a ride to the car park. Transportation will be furnished at the earliest feasible time.
Event's current local time: 2:15 AM CT
