Atlanta Trifecta Weekend March 15/16, 2025
- Tom Shankapotomous
- Mar 19
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 26
Overview
Since 2015, the Atlanta Trifecta weekend has been a popular event for Spartan, held at the Georgia International Horse Park in Conyers, Georgia. In past years, the race has encountered unpredictable weather. This year, despite threats of tornadoes and rain, the weather was perfect for racing, with no rain affecting the race except for creating a sigfnificant amount iof mud from an overnight downpour. If you're reading this, you made it home safely. Let's take a moment to remember our fallen trail shoes and T-shirts still in the swamp that never made it out. This race season is dedicated to you..
Two Unique Features of This Race
Following a few early-season races that were relatively flat and unique but not particularly memorable, Atlanta transformed the experience. This race, in addition to its obstacles and hilly terrain, boasts two distinctive features that set it apart from other locations on the race schedule: the granite outcroppings at mile 5 and the swampy areas at miles 4 and 8. Both of these features will either bring you back next year or have you searching for a race that doesn't include them.
Granite Outcroppings
The race occurs at the International Horse Park, which hosted equestrian events during the Atlanta Olympics. Part of the park includes a series of smooth granite surfaces near the roadway we crossed at mile 6. In previous years, bad weather made these surfaces quite treacherous to run on. This year, they didn't pose a problem but remain geologically unique. Known as granite outcroppings, they are part of a larger formation near Stone Mountain, formed through a geological process that occurred hundreds of millions of years ago (Herrmann, 1954).
How did this outcropping come to be? Well ...
During the Paleozoic Era (around 300-350 million years ago), molten rock (magma) gradually cooled and solidified beneath the Earth's surface, creating large bodies of intrusive igneous rock known as plutons. The granite in Conyers and nearby areas, such as Arabia Mountain and Panola Mountain, originated from this deep-seated magma.
Between 200-250 million years ago, the overlying rock layers eroded, exposing the granite at the surface. Weathering processes, including wind and water erosion, shaped the outcroppings into their current forms.
In the last 200 million years, this granite experienced a process called exfoliation, where outer layers peel away due to expansion from temperature changes. Chemical weathering from rain and organic materials also contributes to the unique, rounded surfaces of the granite outcrops.
The Swamp
Granite is fun but maybe you only remember the slog through the mud during the second half of the Beast course. This muddy environment plays a crucial role in the ecosystem in Conyers and the nearby areas (Explore Georgia, 2025). What was it? The swamp we trudged through is part of the Big Haynes Creek Nature Preserve, known technically as a Riparian Forested Wetland. This type of wetland is located along rivers, streams, or other water bodies, where land and water ecosystems converge. These wetlands serve as a transition zone between aquatic and terrestrial environments, supporting a unique mix of plant and animal life.
I don't recall the course utilizing this area as much in past years, or perhaps it stood out more because of the heavy rain the area received last week. Whatever the reason, I hope they keep making use of this ecological feature. It was unforgettable and a memorable part of the race.
The Weather
Before this race, there were major concerns about the weather due to a large system that swept through the east coast, bringing heavy rain and tornadoes. There were discussions on the Discord server about possibly canceling the event. I even got some texts asking me (as if I had any authority) if the event would be canceled. After nearly breaking a rib from laughing so hard, I managed to compose myself enough to provide a coherent response. I can't recall a race being canceled in advance, but I do remember them stopping us or canceling while we were already on the course. So the general rule is if you can make it to the venue, come prepared with all your gear and be ready for anything. As it turned out, the weather was fantastic over the weekend, with no rain while we were on the course. However, on Saturday night, as we were all dreaming of granite outcroppings and swamps, heavy rains hit the area, dumping about two inches of water on the course. This created a situation for the early heats on Sunday, particularly concerning the overhead obstacles and grip.
Logistics Alert
Every year, I reserve a room at the Hawthorne Suites, conveniently located right across from the race site. This avoids the long walk to the General Parking area, which always feels even longer on the way back. I've already booked for next year, as this hotel tends to sell out quickly. If you're considering this option, I recommend booking now, but be aware of something that might change your mind. When I arrived in town on Friday, the lobby was filled with disgruntled guests complaining about various issues with their rooms. I was only half-listening, but people seemed quite unhappy. The room I got was acceptable, although my standards are quite "flexible" (read: low or non-existent if necessary) at this stage. I used my reliable car wash system, which involves 3 gallons of water and a towel, in the hotel parking lot because I could drive around to the back of the hotel and maintain some level of discretion.
Driving to this race is quite straightforward with access from 85 and 77, but be aware that traffic in this area is notorious. I always choose 77 and connect to 20 in Augusta, which avoids some of the Atlanta traffic. Our very own David Best, with 100 Spartan races under his belt and newly appointed Senior Correspondent for OCR Kings, got caught up in a travel mess that might serve as a cautionary tale. He flew to the race through Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport and was delayed over 6 hours due to weather. We all have our ways of traveling, and sometimes air travel is unavoidable. My rule is if the drive is under 8 hours, I prefer to drive; I like my odds better on the road. Here's to you, David, for achieving Road Warrior status.
Festival Area
Several racers told me that they found this to be the most enjoyable festival area of the year so far. On Saturday, there were 1,100 Beast racers, and when I returned to the festival after the race, it was pretty crowded. There were numerous food trucks, and the US Air Force Special Warfare had an impressive setup, engaging with us civilians about jets and airplanbes. Having held a pilot's license at one point in my life, I found this really fun. A new sponsor, Enduraphin, was at the finish line with a Cyber Truck, which was pretty cool. I didn't try their product because of a basic rule of not trying anything new during a race, but I might consider it in the future.
The Course
On Saturday, portions of the Beast course were used for both the Super and Sprint events. The Beast course could be divided into four separate sections.
The first section was a five-mile run through pine trees, featuring technical running between fallen trees but no significant bushwhacking. There was some minor elevation gain, but overall, it was the typical opening segment seen in recent years. This section concluded with a lengthy mud crawl leading racers into the festival area for the rope climb, spear throw, and atlas ball.
The second section led racers out of the festival area into a swampy section region that slowed everyone down before passing through a culvert under a road to an area encircling a golf course. Eventually, this section crossed another road into an open area surrounded by miles of hilly trails. In previous years, there was mainly one loop through this area. This year, there were two loops totaling 5 miles, separated by a long trek through the riparian wetlands and another loop through the trails. This was undoubtedly the most challenging section of runnable trails so far this season.
The third section took us out of the trails into a large open area with a few challenging obstacles and two miles of open running before heading back.
The final section brought us back around the golf course, through the culvert again, and into the festival area for a final gauntlet.
The Beast course incorporated all four sections and featured nearly 3,000 feet of elevation, primarily concentrated in the latter half of the race. The Super course included sections one, two, and three, while the Sprint used portions of the first section. Each race took participants through swampy, boggy areas, making it one of the muddiest races in Atlanta to date and marking the first challenging course of the season.
Obstacles and a Bad Idea
OCR subscribers I spoke with at the event mentioned that they felt the obstacles were evenly distributed throughout the race. I agree, but I thought the bigger challenge was their placement across all three races. After the first section, which remained very muddy, we encountered the rope climb. This typically simple obstacle became problematic, especially on the second day after significant overnight rain. Entering the third section, after navigating rolling hills and the bog slog, we faced a second long sandbag carry, turning what is usually a routine obstacle into a leg killer. Although the final gauntlet wasn't difficult (vertical cargo, slip wall, and A-frame), there were plenty of tired IT bands and cramping due to the demands of the previous 12 miles. Once again, normally easy obstacles were made more challenging by their placement on the course. There was one obstacle we usually don't see other than in Asheville and West Virginia; a cargo net to help people scramble up a steep incline. It's really nothing more than a glorified rope climb but it seems to give people trouble. I usually just go to the outside and use the technique I use for Slip Wall. It was fun and not much of an issue.
Spartan tried something that was discontinued after Day One. Before entering the now standard barbed wire crawl leading to the four-foot wall at the starting line, they introduced the Inverted Wall. I like this obstacle, but others didn't share the same enthusiasm, and it caused a significant backup for early starting times. In my 7:45 heat, we barely got everyone over the wall and into the corral on time; I can't imagine what later heats looked like. On Day Two, the wall was nowhere to be seen; a good idea in theory but impractical.
Multi-Trifecta Medals and Shields
This was the second race where Multi-Trifecta medals were available, and they seemed to be in good supply. My contacts at Spartan believe they have a handle on distribution this season to avoid last year's shortage. Additionally, it appears that all shields have been distributed. Most of us waiting to receive ours decided to submit a form and get it at a race we drove to. This race was the final one in this distribution. If any OCR Kings subscribers are still waiting on this or Multi-Trifecta medals and haven't received a response, contact cusotmer service; because at this point it might brean overisght.
Teddy Bear Crawl
This event marked the first anniversary of the Teddy Bear Crawl. For those who don't know, Mark Haverland, a Spartan racer and all-around badass, founded a charity that provides teddy bears to children's hospitals.Participants are encouraged to donate (I typically donate $20) to the Teddy Bear Foundation, and we gather at the kid's course on Sunday before the OCR races to bear crawl the half-mile course. Despite the darkness and mud, Mark's mission is truly inspiring. This year, he will organize at 15 different Spartan Events, and I urge anyone interested in supporting this cause to join and earn your Kid's Medal (if you complete 3 races, you receive a kids trifecta medal). My personal goal is to achieve 3 Kids Trifecta medals this season. It's not as easy as it seems. Here are a few tips.
Log your donation on the website before traveling to the venue, as this will motivate you not to skip it when the time comes.
The crawl usually starts 45 minutes before the first elite heat, so if you're running elite, it will be tight. However, if you're running open, you have plenty of time for the 8 am first wave in a trifecta weekend.
You might feel a bit sore from the beast the previous day, so use the crawl as an active recovery and stretching session before your Super/Sprint on Day 2.
Finally, don't be like me. Pack a headlamp. With daylight saving time starting, it will be dark. It's easier if you can see, and a headlamp will help.
Lastly, have fun. You're with like-minded people who are doing what they can to make a positive impact. If you can't crawl the entire half-mile, you won't be disqualified. This is a great group of people, and the ultimate goal is to raise money and have fun.
Summary
We're now entering the real race season. After a few relatively easy course setups, Atlanta marks the beginning of more challenging courses with variable weather and conditions. Both east coast and west coast setups will now include some elevation, so adjust your training to strengthen those IT bands and prepare for new VO2 max adaptations. We still have a few months before the hot conditions arrive, so use this time to synchronize your legs and lungs before the humidity sets in and we face a new set of challenges. See you on the course.
References
Herrmann, L. A. (1954). Geology of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia District, Georgia.
Georgia Geologic Survey. (1984). Geology of the Greater Atlanta Region.
U.S. Geological Survey. (2003). Ground-Water Conditions and Studies in Georgia, 2001.
City of Conyers. (2023). New Educational Signage Installed at Nature Center.
Honey Creek Woodlands. (2025).
Explore Georgia. (2025). Big Haynes Creek Nature Center.
Wikipedia. (2025). List of Nature Centers in Georgia.
A top drawer review of the weekend and it's events......Five Stars!!!!!!