Frozen Head Ultra Marathon
Sunday, September 6, 2026
50K ⋅ Half Marathon
About The Race
The Frozen Head Ultra Marathon is an officially sanctioned trail 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.
Frozen Head State Park is located approximately 50 miles northwest of Knoxville, TN, near Wartburg in Morgan County. It is accessible via I-40 westbound (Exit 347) and is roughly 60 miles west of Oak Ridge.
Limited field size. Bib availability is strictly capped. Once the field fills, registration closes with no waitlist. Register early to secure your entry.
Location
All races will start and end at the Old Mac Trailhead at Frozen Head State Park, near Wartburg, TN.
Old Mac Trail — Start / Finish
964 Flat Fork Rd, Wartburg, TN 37887, United States
Mobile/GPS coverage may be limited in the park. Download offline maps before arriving. Do not rely solely on real-time GPS navigation.
From I-40 Westbound (from Knoxville):
- Take Exit 347 toward Harriman / Wartburg (TN-299 N)
- Follow TN-299 N approximately 16 miles to Wartburg
- Turn right on Flat Fork Rd
- Continue approximately 2 miles to park entrance and Old Mac Trailhead
From Nashville (I-40 Eastbound):
- Take Exit 340 toward Crossville / Crab Orchard
- Follow US-70 N then TN-62 toward Wartburg
- Turn onto Flat Fork Rd to reach the park
🗺 Download the official Frozen Head State Park Map (PDF) for reference.
Events
- Half Marathon — 2 loops (~13.1 mi) — $90
- 50K — 5 loops (~31 mi) — $175
Each loop is approximately 10 kilometers on the Old Mac Trail circuit with +1,667 ft elevation gain per loop and zero net gain (same start and finish).
- Half Marathon total elevation gain: +3,334 ft
- 50K total elevation gain: +8,335 ft
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:
Frozen Head State Park Official Map:
Race Awards
Prizes will be awarded as follows in the 50K and Half Marathon:
- 1st Place Male & Female Trophy for each distance
Finisher Awards
50K
- Finisher Medal for all official 50K finishers who complete all 5 loops within the time limit.
Half Marathon
- Finisher Medal for all official Half Marathon finishers who complete both loops within the time limit.
All finisher medals are unique to the Frozen Head Ultra Marathon and are presented at the finish line upon completion.
Shirts
All race participants will receive a race shirt in the size indicated during registration.
Please note the following:
- We do not mail shirts to participants who do not show up for the race.
- Transfers to another runner after the shirt deadline will receive the shirt size indicated by the original registrant.
- We only exchange shirts for a different size after the race as long as we have extra sizes available.
*Shirts are only guaranteed for participants who register 14 days prior to the event.
Aid Stations
This is a cupless race. Please bring your own hydration device (handheld bottle, vest, or pack) to carry and consume fluids on the course. A minimum capacity of 500ml is recommended.
There is one fully stocked aid station located at the midpoint of each loop, plus the Start/Finish area serves as an aid station between loops. Water, electrolyte water, and snacks are available in abundance, including Clif Bars, Xact Energy Bars, energy gels, bananas, oranges, boiled potatoes, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, potato chips, Oreos, fig cookies, soda, and salt tablets/electrolyte capsules.
The Half Marathon does not have an intermediate aid station on its first loop — the aid station is approximately at the halfway point of each loop (~3 miles in).
Drop Bags
Drop bags are permitted for 50K participants only and will be accessible at the Start/Finish area between loops. Drop bags must be labeled with your name and bib number and submitted at packet pickup. Please keep drop bags to a manageable size (standard school backpack or smaller). Our volunteers thank you for your consideration. More details will be emailed to all registered runners closer to race date.
Time Cut-Off
All participants have a maximum of 10 hours to complete their race. The final cutoff for all events is 6:00 p.m.
50K intermediate cutoffs:
- After Loop 3 (approx. 18.6 mi): 1:30 p.m.
- After Loop 4 (approx. 24.8 mi): 3:45 p.m.
- Finish (all 5 loops): 6:00 p.m.
Half Marathon intermediate cutoff:
- After Loop 1 (approx. 6.2 mi): 3:00 p.m.
- Finish (2 loops): 6:00 p.m.
Participants who reach any checkpoint after the cutoff will be asked to stop racing and must check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish area.
Pacers
50K runners are permitted to use a pacer for the final two loops (loops 4 and 5) only. Pacers must check in with race staff at the Start/Finish area before joining their runner. Pacers may not receive aid station services at the course mid-loop aid station — only at the Start/Finish.
Half Marathon runners are NOT permitted pacers at any point during the race.
Pacers must be registered with the race. Any runner in a distance that does not permit pacers found running with an unregistered pacer will be disqualified and may be banned from future events. No exceptions.
Race Rules
By registering, all participants agree to abide by the following rules. Violations may result in immediate disqualification and/or ban from future events.
- NO LITTERING — This is a protected state park. Leave No Trace principles apply at all times. Pack out everything you pack in.
- NO CUTTING THE COURSE — All participants must follow the marked trail in full. Any shortcutting will result in disqualification.
- DNF PROTOCOL — All participants who drop or withdraw early must check in with the Race Director at the Start/Finish Line before leaving the venue.
- PLEASE BE RESPECTFUL AND THANK VOLUNTEERS — This event exists because of their dedication. Treat all volunteers and fellow participants with respect.
- PARKING — Parking is available for up to 150 vehicles in the designated lot. After capacity is reached, participants must park along the road near the Start/Finish Line. Carpooling is strongly encouraged.
Lodging and Camping
Frozen Head State Park
We encourage all participants coming in from out of town to stay within or near Frozen Head State Park. Staying at the park supports Tennessee State Parks and keeps you just minutes from the Start/Finish. The park offers tent camping and primitive backcountry sites.
Frozen Head State Park Campgrounds
964 Flat Fork Rd, Wartburg, TN 37887
(423) 346-3318
Nearby Hotels
The nearest hotels are located in Wartburg, Harriman, and Rockwood — approximately 15–30 minutes from the park entrance.
Super 8 by Wyndham Harriman
124 Childs Dr, Harriman, TN 37748
(865) 882-6600
**Closest budget hotel to the park
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Harriman
Harriman, TN
Quality Inn Harriman
Harriman, TN
Additional hotel options are available in Oak Ridge, TN (approx. 45–50 min from park). We recommend booking accommodation as early as possible — race weekend in early September is popular in the area.
Registration and Refund Policy
We understand that things come up. If you can no longer run the race and cancel more than 30 days in advance, you will receive 100% race credit for a future Frozen Head Ultra event. If you cancel between 30 days and two weeks prior to race day, you will receive 50% race credit. We will not allow any refunds or transfers less than two weeks before race day. No exceptions.
To cancel, log into your registration account and follow the cancellation instructions. Credit must be used within one year. If you need an extension due to medical reasons (including pregnancy) or military deployment, please reach out ahead of time.
Bib transfers to another runner are allowed up until two weeks prior to the race, only if the race has not sold out and there is no waitlist. Contact us immediately if you wish to transfer. It is critical for the safety of all runners that we have correct contact and medical information for all participants. If the shirt order has already been placed, the incoming runner agrees to accept the shirt size of the original registrant. A $15 administration fee (plus transaction fee) will be charged to the person accepting the bib transfer. Transfers must be completed no later than two weeks prior to race day. No exceptions.
When you register, you acknowledge that we do not provide a refund if we are forced to cancel the race due to unforeseen circumstances beyond the race director's control. This may include, but is not limited to, flooding, lightning, wildfire, or any other condition deemed unsafe for participants by race officials or park authorities.