The Swamp Fox Ultra

The Swamp Fox Ultra presented by The Foot Store returns to Mcclellanville, South Carolina on March 6th through the following day, offering runners a unique ultramarathon experience across the entirety of Francis Marion National Forest.
Participants will find themselves navigating rugged trails that wind through dense forests and over varied terrain. On race morning at around sunrise, temperatures typically hover between mild lows in the high 40s to moderate highs in the mid-60s Fahrenheit. Humidity is often low enough for runners to appreciate clear skies without feeling overly humid conditions.
Since its inception several years ago, The Swamp Fox Ultra has become a significant event on South Carolina’s running calendar. Each year sees an increasing number of participants ranging from seasoned ultrarunners tackling the 100-mile distance to newer trail enthusiasts taking part in shorter distances like the half marathon or 50k. A portion of registration fees goes towards supporting local conservation efforts within Francis Marion National Forest, ensuring that runners are contributing directly to preserving these beautiful trails for future generations.
The course itself spans across diverse landscapes including dense woodlands and open meadows within Francis Marion National Forest. Trail conditions range from firm paths suitable for most trail shoes to softer areas where traction is crucial during wet or muddy sections. Runners should expect a mix of elevation gains and losses, with the longest distances requiring strategic planning due to their out-and-back nature rather than loops.
Weather forecasts indicate that runners can anticipate moderate temperatures and UV levels on race day, which means protection from sun exposure will be necessary but overall conditions are expected to remain comfortable for sustained efforts. With little precipitation risk during March in Mcclellanville, the trail surface is likely to offer firm and slightly soft conditions throughout.
The Swamp Fox Ultra offers a variety of distances including 100 miles (160.9K), 50 miles (80.5K), 50 kilometers (50K), half marathon (21.1K).