Saturday, February 8, 2020 • Lithia Springs, GA • Course Map
Filled with hills, dirt, rocks, sticks and densely wooded trails through the forest of this roughly 2,000-acre state park that lies just a half-hour’s drive from downtown Atlanta, the SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon makes its 9th annual running this year along the trails of Georgia’s Sweetwater Creek State Park.
Organized by the locally based running group Douglas County Rogue Runners, the race — which usually sees between 60 and 100 or so runners cross the finish line each year — is one of two trail running races that take place in the park in the first half of the year, the other being the SweetH20 50K trail race that runs in April.
For runners in the February half marathon, the race offers what organizers describe as moderately difficult trails as well as plenty of scenery, from the ruins of the Civil War-era New Manchester Manufacturing Company textile mill to the rushing rapids of Sweetwater Creek, which runners will make their way along in both the early and later miles of the race.
The course for the half marathon follows an out-and-back route that starts and finishes at the Group Shelter inside the park, and then out onto the trails that run alongside the creek.
Runners also can expect to cross small creeks on the trails through the woods, as well as some tough ascents and descents up and down the hills. Conditions for the race are unpredictable, the organizers say on their website, adding: “One year we ran in six inches of snow, while during another we ran through the set of a major motion picture filming at the park.”
Because the race takes place inside a state park, and because runners will need to bring along energy gels and water bottles, the organizers ask entrants to be mindful of their trash and “leave no trace,” to bring out everything that they bring into the park.
Race Weather & Climate
Located in central northern Georgia, just under 20 miles west of downtown Atlanta, the city of Lithia Springs typically experiences cool to often cold conditions in the late winter season, and usually sees its heaviest precipitation in the first three months of the year.
On race day (Feb. 8), the average low is 30°F and the average high is 54°F.
Past Results
- 2019 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2018 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2017 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2016 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2014 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2013 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2012 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2011 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
- 2010 SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon Results
Course Map
See the race route map for the SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon here.
Starting Time
10:00 AM
Fees
- $55 – $65 for the half marathon
- $5 park entrance fee on race day
Registration
To reserve your spot in the late winter 2020 running of Lithia Springs’ SweetH2O Sweetheart Half Marathon, register online at UltraSignup.com here.
Official Race Website
Facebook Conversations
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