SOUTHERN STATES 200 | An Inaugural Adventure

The inaugural Southern States 200 is one of only a couple of point to point 200 mile endurance runs in the entire United States. The Southern States 200 starts just outside Dalton, Georgia and runs in a southerly direction along the Pinhoti Trail, a National Recreation Trail, until it reaches the finish line at the top of Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. Over the course of the race, runners cover a total of nearly 30,000 feet of elevation gain. The course consists of a variety of single track trail, jeep roads, forest service roads and some paved roads.
This event will quickly become a classic 200 miler in the US. In fact, I would not be surprised if they will have to move to a lottery system within just a couple of years. The race organizers did an excellent job. All aid stations provided ample food and drink choices, medical staff was on hand to assist with any issues that arose. In fact, I was in need of such assistance at one point during the race and the medic did an excellent job taking care of my feet and keeping me going all the way to the finish.
This was my fifth race of 200 miles or longer and it did not disappoint in any way. I love adventure runs or journey runs and this one definitely qualifies. No multiple loops, no contrived course, just 200 miles from point A to point B along a beautiful course with both challenging as well as quite runnable sections.
Please feel free to ask any questions you may have about this race in the comments below the video. I hope you enjoy!
Huge Shoutout to Pete Schreiner @Schreiner Trail Photography for the amazing on course photos he took of runners all week. Some of them are featured in my video.

[@futbolman15]

Ryan here. I've watched your videos since I got into ultras. Enjoyed getting to meet you that morning on the shuttle and hearing some of your race stories. Good luck at Cocodona!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks, man! Great to meet you too! Good luck on your future ultras and stay in touch!

[@ansizfark]

I've always been interested in running a 200! I am thrilled to see one is on the east coast, I hadn't heard of this one!

[@ultrakraut]

This event is top notch! Organization, course, aid stations, everything was spot on!

[@J0sey79]

This was the inaugural year. But planning is already in the works for 2025. And tentatively looking like it'll be in March, which *may* be slightly cooler. Or not.

[@cameronmueller]

Awesome coverage man, pleasure meeting you and spending the first night together at Cocodona, great job.

[@ultrakraut]

Yeah man, looks like we finished very close to each other at Cocodona as well, congrats!

[@uptone12111]

Man I wish my body could keep up with that. love running

[@ultrakraut]

Of course I don't know your specific situation, but I generally respond that you don't know what your body is capable of until you try. It does not take special physical abilities. It just requires a high degree of determination, mind over matter as they say. In any case, I love running at any distance, from my daily short runs to the long adventure runs. As long as I can be outside, I am content. Keep on running!

[@joeccriscuola]

Well done! loved the video as well. thanks for sharing.

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you!

[@SeeChadRun]

What a (long) race! Well done and congrats!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks 🙏

[@CallistoWolf]

Looks awesome! I'd love to do it next year!

[@ultrakraut]

Do it and let me know if you have any questions as you get closer to the event!

[@stuartwebster2203]

Another amazing adventure, your story telling, resilience and constant ability to move forward is inspiring. Thank you for another great film.

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you so much! This means a lot!

[@runninglane]

You crushed it Martin, keep it up man!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks!🙏

[@MrRunner10]

Wow! Amazing as always! You are one tough athlete

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you, much appreciated! 🙏

[@java6727]

Great work, man! Love the Upchuck hat

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks! Those Upchuck hats are in my permanent lid rotation 😝

[@staxx7753]

Awesome video & congratulations 🤛🏼

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks so much!!

[@slowjamcdub]

Great video!!!!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks!!

[@Sanko1960]

Fun to see and hear your wife! Looks like a beautiful course and very different than Arizona! But good heat acclimatization training. You are the very embodiment of one foot in front of the other. Good job and thank you for sharing your adventure.

[@ultrakraut]

🙏 thank you!

[@michaeldavis1343]

You are a bad ass! Congrats!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks 🙏

[@austinado16]

Outstanding job! Have you ever thought about wearing a full brim hat, and a white, "drifit" material shirt, either short sleeve with white arm sleeves, or just a long sleeve version, like the Nike ProCombat with the perforated back and side/underarm panels, and getting your hair, hat, and shirt wet as needed, to keep your body core temperature from ramping up and making you feel so bad?

[@ultrakraut]

Long distances between 200 mile aid stations mean ice/water isn’t necessarily easily accessible and to be honest, we didn’t expect this race to be as hot as it was (also, first hot day of the year). I’ve got tons of hot weather gear and ice bandanas that will be in use at my attempt at the Cocodona 250 in AZ.

[@danielgrant8289]

Awesome job and great video as usual!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks and thanks for watching and subscribing.

[@danielgrant8289]

@ultrakraut I was running the Chief Ladiga 100 on that Saturday that some of you all were on the greenway. I met a couple of Southern States runners during the night. So awesome sharing a small portion of trail with you all!

[@ultrakraut]

You probably came across some of the race leaders as my ultra brain math had us coming through after you guys must have passed by.

[@ak8990]

This looks like such a beautiful race. I would love to be able to run it.

[@ultrakraut]

Do it! Reach out with any questions!

[@Mattbarentsen]

awesome video, looks like some of this follows the exact Georgia Jewel Course.

[@ultrakraut]

Thank you! You are correct, having run GJ several times, I recognized that section right away:-)

[@jeffhollander7630]

Awesome job capturing SS200 on video! It was great getting to meet you and your wife out on the trail and enduring all the 4wheelers at night! Let me know when you ready to go do another 16 mile hwy road run in the hottest part of the day! Lol

[@ultrakraut]

Great to meet you, too! Hope your kids gave you enough time to rest and recover:-)

[@shaundaboi6365]

Loved watching this. Watched so many of your races since seeing your spine race movie (im from the UK near the spine course).... Question...what do you use to film your videos? Sorry if youve covered this already!!

[@ultrakraut]

Glad you’re enjoying them! I’ll be back in the UK in January for a go at the Winter Spine. I generally just use one of the later model GoPros. I will take some drone footage before or after an event, if possible. For that I just use a DJI Mini 3 right now. Minimum 4K resolution is my basic goal and those devices meet that requirement.

[@ap1873]

how did you not get blisters and did you sleep?!? sorry i skipped over some parts. I know David and have done some of his races and have run with him. 100 is my limit! but blisters cause me to drop out! did you tape your feet the whole time?

[@ultrakraut]

I had plenty blisters pretty early on and significant. Moleskin was the technique I used this time around. I’ve used tape, anti chafe salve of all kinds and will continue to try different things. Blisters are what slow my down in these big events, but they will not stop me unless I risk infection or similar.

[@maceschneekloth4179]

My dad rocks!

[@ultrakraut]

Thanks, son! Same goes for you!!!

[@barrick4807]

It would have to be 40 degrees and no sun for me to wear a black shirt

[@ultrakraut]

Ha! Well, it really doesn’t make that much of a difference for me. It’s more about making sure your body is covered rather than the color of the shirt, but I get ya. I definitely try to wear light clothing in extremely hot conditions.

[@barrick4807]

@@ultrakrautyeah I run hot I have black shirts I like to wear but I really can’t unless it’s winter.that’s nice that it doesn’t bother you good job by the way I was trying to talk my friend into cocodona but we watched this and decided this looks better.

[@ultrakraut]

It’s a great event, you won’t regret signing up.