Cruel Jewel 100 Race Guide
Race Name
The Cruel Jewel 100 is a legendary 104-mile foot race nestled deep within the Chattahoochee National Forest of northern Georgia. This event challenges the toughest and most experienced trail runners with its punishing distance and rugged terrain. Held under the banner of Dumass Events, it attracts athletes from around the globe seeking both Western States and Hardrock 100 lottery qualification. The race reputation stems from its grueling profile, which demands respect and extensive preparation. Every finisher earns not only a coveted belt buckle but also a place among an exclusive community of ultramarathoners.
When It Is Run
Cruel Jewel takes place each spring over a three-day window in mid-May. In 2026, the dates are set for May 15 through May 17, with the 100-mile field starting at noon on Friday, May 15. Packet pickup opens the evening before and on race morning, ensuring runners have time to finalize gear checks and acclimate to the mountain weather. May’s conditions in north Georgia can vary dramatically, with daytime highs reaching the mid-70s and nighttime lows dropping into the 50s. Occasional spring rain adds another dimension of challenge, making preparation for wet and muddy trails essential.
How to Qualify or Register
Entry into the Cruel Jewel 100 is reserved for runners who have demonstrated both experience and endurance on comparable courses. Prospective entrants must complete one of the specified qualifying 50-mile races within established cutoff times to secure eligibility. Registration itself is handled through UltraSignup, where runners submit proof of their qualifying race time and complete the online waiver process. Because demand often exceeds the 250-runner capacity, early qualification and prompt entry submission are critical to securing a spot. Once accepted, participants receive confirmation along with detailed instructions for packet pickup and race-week logistics.
Particular Challenges
Cruel Jewel is notorious for its relentless climbs and steep descents that carve through dense hardwood forests and rocky ridgelines. Runners face technical single-track trails that wind through rhododendron thickets, old-growth poplar stands, and tangled underbrush. The course features an historic steel bridge over the Toccoa River and a section known as the Dragon’s Spine, where ridge running exposes athletes to both vertigo-inducing views and unforgiving terrain. Constant variation in trail surface demands precise footwork and muscular endurance to navigate rocks, roots, and eroded sections. Combined with the sheer mileage, these elements conspire to sap both physical and mental reserves by the back half of the race.
Course Format
The route follows a lollipop-style course that begins and ends at Camp Morganton near Blue Ridge, Georgia. Runners depart to traverse a 20-mile loop that brings them to Blairsville before returning to the start village for crew access. From there, the remainder of the course extends further into the forest along an out-and-back section punctuated by the Flat Creek Loop, which must be completed twice and verified by punching the bib at each loop checkpoint. This structure balances remote solitude with intermittent support, allowing crews and pacers to join at designated aid stations on the return leg. Ultimately, the lollipop layout weaves back into Camp Morganton for a finish that tests runners to their limits.
Elevation Profile
Over the 104-mile distance, runners climb and descend approximately 33,000 feet, earning the reputation of one of the most vertiginous courses in the eastern United States. The elevation oscillates between roughly 1,800 feet at the lowest river crossings and peaks near 4,000 feet along various ridgelines. Major climbs include the ascent up to the Dragon’s Spine and the steep rise out of the Toccoa River gorge, both of which demand sustained uphill power. Descents are equally punishing, requiring controlled braking to protect quads and joints on loose rock and muddy trails. The cumulative effect of such relentless elevation change amplifies fatigue and heightens the importance of strategic pacing.
Terrain Breakdown
The surface underfoot alternates between rugged single-track trails and rustic mountain roads. Approximately ninety percent of the course follows narrow, technical paths that twist through the forest canopy, while the remaining ten percent covers gravel and dirt roads used for service and emergency access. Trail sections vary from hard-packed soil to loose rock fields and exposed roots, often slick after rain. Mountain roads are slightly more predictable but can be steep and washboarded, demanding attention to avoid ankle rolls. Understanding these proportions allows runners to tailor footwear choices and prepare for the shifting traction demands encountered over the course.
Time Limit & Cutoffs
Participants must complete the Cruel Jewel 100 within a strict 48-hour overall time limit to earn a finishing status. In addition to the final cutoff, mandatory checkpoint times are enforced at each of the twenty aid stations to ensure runner safety and facilitate sweep operations. Runners who fail to reach designated stations by their cutoff deadlines will be pulled from the course to recover. These intermediate cutoffs are detailed in the official race packet and vary by location, reflecting both the distance from the start and the logistical support available. Success requires not only the stamina to finish but also the discipline to maintain minimum pace thresholds throughout the event.
Aid Stations
The Cruel Jewel 100 features a comprehensive network of twenty-one aid stations strategically positioned along the 104-mile route. These checkpoints are spaced between 2.7 and 7.6 miles apart, with the average distance between stations being approximately 5 to 6 miles. Seven of these stations serve as crew-accessible checkpoints, allowing support teams to reach their athletes at Old Dial, Wilscot Gap, Skeenah Gap, Stanley Gap (return only), and Wolf Creek (return only). Drop bag service is available at multiple locations throughout the course, with race organizers transporting labeled bags to designated stations and returning them to Camp Morganton when aid stations close. Volunteers staff each location with standard ultramarathon fare including water, sports drinks, sandwiches, cookies, chips, candy, fruit, and simple hot foods at select stations.
Mandatory Gear
Participants must carry essential safety equipment throughout the entire race, though the specific mandatory gear list for Cruel Jewel 100 follows standard ultramarathon requirements focused on self-sufficiency and emergency preparedness. The race organization emphasizes that runners should be prepared for varying weather conditions across the 48-hour window. While detailed gear requirements are outlined in the official race packet distributed two weeks before the event, typical items include proper hydration capacity, emergency nutrition reserves, and appropriate clothing for temperature fluctuations. Trekking poles are explicitly permitted and often recommended given the technical terrain and steep elevation changes. Random gear checks may be conducted by race officials, and failure to carry required equipment can result in disqualification from the event.
Crew & Pacing
Support crews are permitted but restricted to designated crew-accessible aid stations, with only one vehicle allowed per crew at each location. Pacers may join runners at any crew-accessible aid station after the turnaround point at Wolf Creek, but only one pacer is allowed on course with each runner at any given time. Pacer changes are permitted solely at crew-accessible stations, and all pacers must be at least 18 years old unless special advance approval is granted by the race director. Pacers must wear official race bibs, complete liability waivers, and stay with their assigned runner throughout their section. Vehicle parking at aid stations is strictly prohibited, meaning crews must arrange alternative transportation to access remote checkpoints along the course.
Navigation
The Cruel Jewel 100 course follows a well-marked trail system using standard race marking techniques including ribbons, reflectors, and directional signage at key decision points. GPS files are made available to registered participants through the race website, allowing runners to preload course data onto compatible devices for backup navigation. While GPS devices are recommended for safety and peace of mind, the course marking is generally considered adequate for navigation in good weather conditions. Runners should pay particular attention to course markings during nighttime sections and in areas where multiple trail options exist. The race organization emphasizes staying on marked trails at all times, with cutting of switchbacks explicitly prohibited and subject to disqualification.
Finish Rates
The Cruel Jewel 100 maintains a reputation as one of the most challenging hundred-mile events in the United States, with finish rates reflecting the demanding nature of the course and conditions. In 2025, 115 runners finished the 100-mile event out of the total field, representing a finish rate of approximately 46 percent. Recent years have shown similar completion percentages, with 2024 seeing 149 finishers from a larger field and 2023 recording 121 successful completions. The combination of technical terrain, significant elevation gain, and strict cutoff times contributes to the selective finish rates. Weather conditions during each year’s event can dramatically impact completion numbers, with heat, rain, or unexpected temperature swings adding additional challenges to an already formidable course.
Special Features
Finishers of the Cruel Jewel 100 earn coveted belt buckles that rank among the most respected awards in ultrarunning, symbolizing completion of one of America’s toughest mountain hundreds. The race serves as a qualifying event for both the Western States 100 and Hardrock 100 lotteries, making it a strategic choice for runners seeking entry into these premier mountain ultramarathons. Current course records stand at 21:41:31 for men, set by Ben Quatromoni in 2024, and 24:50:52 for women, established by Sarah Ostaszewski the same year. The event attracts international participation with runners from seven countries typically represented in the field of 250 participants. The race’s nickname “The Green Tunnel” reflects the dense forest canopy that dominates much of the route, creating a unique enclosed running environment that both shelters and challenges athletes throughout their journey.
Previous Winners
Recent champions of the Cruel Jewel 100 represent some of ultrarunning’s most accomplished mountain specialists and emerging talents. In 2025, Matt Pruitt claimed victory with a time of 27:31:11, while Shannon Wheeler-Deboef took the women’s title in 28:22:43. The 2024 edition saw Ben Quatromoni establish the current men’s course record of 21:41:31, with Sarah Ostaszewski setting the women’s mark of 24:50:52. Other notable champions include Kyle Moss (2023), Joey Miller (2022), Canyon Woodward (2021), Paul Terranova (2019), Andy Pearson (2018), and legendary ultrarunner Karl Meltzer who won in 2015. The women’s champions have included Shannon Wheeler-Deboef (2023 and 2025), Liz Canty (2022), Sheila Vibert (2021), Alyson Kirk (2019), and Lee Conner (2018), representing a mix of seasoned veterans and breakthrough performances.
Official Contact Info
For race information, registration questions, and general inquiries, contact the Dahlonega Ultra-Marathon Association at dumassevents@gmail.com. The official race website is: https://dumassevents.com/cruel-jewel-100/ where participants can access detailed course information, qualification requirements, and race updates. Registration for future editions of the Cruel Jewel 100 is handled exclusively through UltraSignup, with the 2026 race scheduled for May 15th and The UltraSignup registration link for the 2026 Cruel Jewel 100 is: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=128792. Race directors Sarah Snyder and Sean Lawford oversee all aspects of the event organization and can be reached through the official email address. The race maintains active social media presence on Instagram @dumassevents, Facebook as Dahlonega Ultramarathon Association, and YouTube @dumassevents for ongoing updates and community engagement throughout the year.