Caney Fork Ultra

Course Overview – A Deep Run Through Tennessee’s Wildest BackcountryThis year’s event takes runners deep into one of the most striking and geologically unique landscapes in Middle Tennessee. The 50 Miler and 25K both traverse the rugged Caney Fork and Scotts Gulf region — an area shaped over millions of years by water, limestone, and time, and still largely untouched by development.This land is defined by towering sandstone and limestone bluffs, massive overlooks, sinkholes, caves, and waterfalls that appear directly out of the rock, disappear underground, and re-emerge downstream. Much of the water you’ll encounter on this course doesn’t simply flow downhill — it vanishes into cave systems, travels unseen beneath your feet, and bursts back out through springs and cliff faces, creating waterfalls and streams that feel almost unreal.Runners will move along high overlooks with sweeping views into deep river gorges, descend into shaded hollows carved by centuries of flowing water, and travel through terrain that feels ancient and wild. This region served as a natural corridor for Indigenous peoples and early settlers, and even today it remains one of the most remote and dramatic landscapes in Tennessee.The 50 MilerThe 50 Miler is the featured distance this year, replacing the former 50K. It is a demanding, full-day effort designed for experienced trail and ultra runners. Expect long stretches of technical trail, sustained climbs and descents, remote sections where you feel far from everything, and constant visual reward. This course does not give away miles easily — every mile must be earned.The 50 Miler will start at 6:00 AM, sending runners into the gorge as first light breaks over the cliffs and rivers below. It’s a true ultra experience built around patience, endurance, and respect for the terrain.The 25KThe 25K offers a shorter but still challenging introduction to this landscape and shares the same rugged character and scenery as the longer course. It is not an “easy” option — runners should expect real trail, meaningful elevation change, and a true backcountry feel packed into a more approachable distance.The 25K will start at 8:00 AM, allowing runners to head out as the forest fully wakes up and the gorge fills with light.Start / Finish ExperienceBoth distances start and finish at Camp Latimer, creating a central hub for the entire race day. Runners, crews, and spectators will be able to experience the energy of the early-morning start, the quiet tension of the middle miles, and the celebration as finishers return from deep within the gorge.This is more than a race through the woods. It’s a run through ancient rock, hidden water, and wild Tennessee backcountry — big views, deep forest, and miles that will stay with you long after the finish line.