James Ebert of Huntsville won the inaugural Southern States 200 on Sunday, finishing at Cheaha State Park in an unofficial time of 48 hours 58 minutes.
Ebert and the Southern States field of 37 started Friday at noon (eastern time) in Dalton, Ga. It is one of only three point-to-point mountain trail races in the United States. It is a collaboration of Southeastern Trail Runs in Birmingham and Running Lane Events in Huntsville. Runners from 13 states, as far as California and Pennsylvania, are in the field. As of 1 p.m. Sunday five runners were DNF.
Runners have 100 hours to complete the route, which is officially 201 miles with 27,628 feet of elevation gain. It follows the Pinhoti Trail.
Ebert opened a sizeable lead and finished atop Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama, more than 30 miles ahead of his nearest competitors. He averaged 94.5 miles per day, with a total moving time of 1 day, 13 hours 40 minutes and stopped time of 11 hours 28 minutes. The course has 15 aid stations including five with sleep stations. Ebert’s crew helped at multiple stations along the way.
Ebert won the Dizzy 50s at Monte Sano State Park last autumn and is a regular in other big events, such as the Georgia Jewel.
This story will be updated with more information.
MAIN PHOTO – James Ebert of Huntsville crosses the finish line to win the inaugural Southern States 200 on Sunday at Cheaha State Park. (Photo by Pete Schreiner / Schreiner Trail Photography)
