Dirty Spokes Iron Hill (Fall)

Dirty Spokes Iron Hill (Fall) is a trail running event put on by Dirty Spokes in Cartersville, Georgia, on October 24, 2026. Two distances share an 8:00 a.m. start: a 3.8-mile trail run and a 7.5-mile trail run. Both are on trail rather than road, which is the detail that should shape how you pace them.

Trail miles run slower than road miles at the same effort, so a runner used to a 25-minute 5K should expect the 3.8-mile option to take longer than the arithmetic suggests. The 7.5-mile route is a natural step up once you are comfortable running an hour continuously, and it rewards a few weeks of running on soft, uneven ground rather than pavement only. Shoes with grip matter more than anything else in late October, when leaf cover can hide roots and loose footing. Keep your stride short and your eyes a few paces ahead.