Thrill In The Hills

Thrill In The Hills takes place in Winder, Georgia, in mid-February, on trails in the woods of the Atlanta suburbs. The 50K (31.1 miles) starts at 7:30 a.m., the half marathon (13.1 miles) at 8:00 a.m. and a 5-mile race at 8:25 a.m.

The run begins on power line cuts, which help spread runners out, then moves quickly into the woods. The terrain mixes hills, climbs, single-track, double-track, roots and a few technical sections. Organizers describe a well-maintained trail network with gentle grades and pleasant scenery, and their motto is "Ditch the City," since once under the trees it is easy to forget the metro area is close. February trails in Georgia can be muddy, so shoes with good traction and a spare pair of socks are worth packing.