The Conquer

Staged in the rugged foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Amicalola Falls State Park near Dawsonville, Georgia, The Conquer delivers an exceptionally punishing interpretation of the backyard ultra format. While traditional backyard courses favor flat, runnable paths to facilitate distance records, this event embraces the extreme vertical topography of the southern Appalachian Trail region. Runners take on a continuous circuit each hour, starting near the crest of the falls and descending via technical, root-choked terrain along trails like the East Ridge and Mountain Laurel before facing the infamous climb back up the Appalachian Approach Trail.

The defining feature of each lap is the unrelenting ascent, headlined by the park's grueling 605-step staircase alongside Georgia's highest cascading waterfall. Managing eccentric muscle fatigue on the steep drops and controlling heart rate during the stair climbs are critical for survival across multiple hours. The course leaves little margin for passive recovery between hourly resets; athletes must navigate uneven singletrack, damp stone, and steep grade transitions that rapidly accumulate massive elevation gain and quad degradation with every yard completed.

Amicalola Falls State Park is located roughly 15 miles northwest of central Dawsonville and approximately 70 miles north of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Drivers can travel north from the Atlanta metro area along GA-400 toward Dawsonville, connecting via GA-53 and GA-183 directly to GA-52, which leads straight into the park entrance. A personal vehicle or rental car is essential, as public transit and rideshare options are virtually nonexistent in this mountainous area.

For lodging, staying directly on-site at the park’s lodge, cabins, or campgrounds offers the simplest access to the start line and corral area. Alternatively, chain hotels and rental cabins are widely available along the GA-400 corridor in Dawsonville and nearby Dahlonega. Early December in north Georgia brings crisp winter conditions, with morning lows frequently dipping into the 30s Fahrenheit and afternoon highs lingering in the 50s. Pack ample cold-weather layers, durable trail shoes with aggressive wet-rock grip, and cold-rated shelter gear to keep warm during the brief turnaround windows between loops.