Project 42 Running

09/03/2026

Maybe you've been thinking about taking on something bigger.

A longer distance.
A harder challenge.

A race that makes you a little nervous just thinking about it.

Maybe FSR 100 is that challenge.

You don't have to know exactly what race day will bring.

You just have to decide that you're willing to find out what you're capable of.

We'll see you on the trail.

08/28/2026

There will be moments when you wondered why you signed up.

Then there will be a finish line that reminds you exactly why you did.

08/25/2026

One race finishes, and before you know it, another one starts.

FSR 100 isn’t just a stroll through the mountains.

Its real. It’s tough. And you’ve got 32 hours to do it.

Up for the challenge?

Register arrow➡️ https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=131617

08/23/2026

Runners get the medals and the finish-line photos.

But behind every successful race are people who showed up before the runners did and stayed long after many of them crossed the finish line.

The volunteers filling cups.
The people working aid stations.
The ones cheering when you're exhausted.
The ones who somehow make you believe you have another mile in you.

Ultrarunning takes a village.

And we're incredibly grateful for ours.

08/19/2026

There aren't many feelings like crossing the finish line of an ultra.

Because you know what it took to get there.

The training. The early mornings. The long runs. The moments when your body was tired and your mind wanted to stop.

And then suddenly, you're standing there.
You actually did it.

Not everyone will understand what it took to get you across that finish line—and that's okay.

You will.

And sometimes that's the greatest reward of all.

08/18/2026

The dust has settled, the sunburn is cooling down, and everything is finally put away.
Okay, that last part is a lie. The van is still full. 😂
But I figured now was as good a time as any to say THANK YOU for coming out to our little hometown ultra and making Southern Fried such a huge success this year.
And we have something pretty cool to share! Southern Fried was featured in an UltraSignup Trailhead article this year, written by none other than Allison Mercer — our 50K outright winner AND the new Southern Fried 50K course record holder!
Not only did Allison come out and absolutely crush the course, she wrote about using Southern Fried as a dress rehearsal for what comes next. We love getting to be a small part of the bigger adventures our runners are chasing.
Give it a read here:
👉 https://trailhead.ultrasignup.com/training-nutrition/dress-rehearsal-race/?utm_campaign=Weekly%20News&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=433687937&utm_content=433691149&utm_source=hs_email
And whew… it was a hot one.
You showed up, you ran, you sweated, you suffered a little (or maybe a lot), and somehow you kept smiling. Watching so many of you cross that finish line—or simply give everything you had out there—is exactly why we keep doing this crazy thing year after year.
A very special congratulations to our overall winners:
50 Mile:
Women – April McGee - 8:57:10
Men – Ethan Kupczyk - 8:58:14
50K:
Overall – Allison Mercer — NEW OUTRIGHT COURSE RECORD! - 3:43:52
Men – Mickey Moore - 4:35:21
25K:
Women – Chavet Fine - 2:28:54
Men – Joseph Brantley - 1:50:58
And an enormous thank you to our volunteers. These races simply do not happen without you. You filled cups, fed runners, cheered people on, solved problems, hauled stuff around, and spent a very hot Saturday taking care of everyone else. We are incredibly grateful.
Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who continues to support Project 42 Running and this slightly ridiculous little race we call Southern Fried.
Most of all, thank you to every runner who chose to spend your Saturday with us.
We hope you're recovering, rehydrating, and maybe already thinking about next year.
If you still need to cool off a little before you decide, you can register for Southern Freeze here: ➡ https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=142712
As for us...we'll be unloading the van.
Eventually. 😂
See y'all next year. ❤️🔥

Here are some insights about why you should run a dress rehearsal race as you prepare for your next big trail running race.

08/17/2026

There’s no shortage of races round here! You guys better buckle up 😉

FSR 100 is a few short months away!! What better way to spend a weekend in the mountains than running through some of Tennessee’s and North Georgia’s beautiful trails?

We’ve got the perfect 100 mile loop for you. With nearly 15,000 feet of total elevation gain, this race will push you to your limits.

Registration is OPEN!!!

Link below!

https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=131617

08/16/2026

THANK YOU ALL FOR AN INCREDIBLE RACE DAY!!!

Record year for Southern Fried this year - it was HOT! But you all did so, so incredible.

Congratulations to everyone who ran yesterday!! You guys toughed out the heat and did an amazing job.

See yall next year!!! 😎

08/15/2026

And we have our first Male and Female 25K finishers!!! Congratulations!!!

08/12/2026

A little rain never stopped a runner.

Neither has the heat.

The weather may shape the day, but it doesn't define your effort.

Come prepared.
Adapt when you need to.
And keep moving forward.

Sometimes the most memorable races are the ones that ask the most of us.