About the Course
The Frozen Head Ultra Marathon is a running event held at Frozen Head State Park in Wartburg, Tennessee. Set in the rugged Cumberland Mountains, this race challenges participants on a certified trail loop through one of East Tennessee's most pristine wilderness areas — 24,000 acres of steep wooded terrain with over 60 miles of maintained trails.
The course takes runners through dense hardwood forest along mountain ridgelines. Each loop gains +1,667 ft of elevation with zero net gain — same start and finish. The event features two distances: a Half Marathon (2 loops, ~13.1 miles) and a 50K (5 loops, ~31 miles). This is a well-supported race with an old-school ultra running spirit.
Race Schedule
All activities take place at Old Mac Trailhead, 964 Flat Fork Rd, Wartburg, TN.
Sunday, September 6, 2026
5:00 – 7:00 a.m. Packet Pick-Up*
7:00 – 7:15 a.m. 50K Pre-Race Briefing (mandatory)
7:20 a.m. 50K Start
7:25 – 7:35 a.m. Half Marathon Pre-Race Briefing
7:40 a.m. Half Marathon Start
6:00 p.m. Cutoff — All Events (10 Hours)
Pre-race briefings will be held 15–20 minutes before each race start. Arrive early to allow time to pick up your packet, race chip, and prepare for your race.
*We accept same-day registrations if the race is not sold out. Register online in advance to guarantee your spot.
Course Map
Half Marathon: 2 loops of the Old Mac Trail circuit (~13.1 miles, +3,334 ft gain).
50K: 5 loops of the same circuit (~31 miles, +8,335 ft gain). Each loop is identical; the challenge compounds as the miles accumulate on technical, rooted terrain. Net elevation gain is zero — same start and finish point.
The course features dense hardwood forest, creek crossings, exposed roots, rocks, and ridgeline sections. Trekking poles are permitted for all distances. No cutting the course — all runners must stay on the marked trail.
Course Segment on Strava:
https://www.strava.com/segments/36449830?utm_campaign=segment_share&utm_content=36449830&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=www.frozenheadultra.com
Event's current local time: 8:45 AM ET
