MEDIA AND PODCASTS LINKS
Follow the links below to Pete Schreiner's stunning photographs and other links to photos and links to podcasts.
PHOTOS FROM THE 2024 AND 2025 SOUTHERN STATES 200
Pete Schreiner’s awesome photos from the 2025 Southern States 200 Mile Endurance Run
Pete Schreiner’s awesome photos from the 2024 Southern States 200
Southern States 200 FB Photos
Podcasts, Videos, and in-depth discussions about the Southern States experience
13,181 views Apr 28, 2024
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.
Martin Schneekloth (Ultra Kraut Running)
I met Bob Watters at the 2nd crew meetup aid station at Cruel Jewel this year and then again saw him at the turnaround point. He was crewing and pacing his son and I was crewing my friend Jamie. I noticed him wearing that awesome Southern States 200 buckle and introduced myself. I wanted to record a recap for the podcast and then fate would have it that my friend Amber peer-pressured me into running it this year. So, selfishly I was looking for tips. Bob is an accomplished ultra-runner having finished Pinhoti 9 times and other challenging races such as Blood Rock 100 and No Business. He was also the state champ in cowboy style shooting a few years ago, hench the nickname "cowboy" which came from me, not him. I think you will enjoy getting to know Bob and the Alabama races a little better and I bet you'll be wanting to check some of them out. Links below. Enjoy!
Southeastern Trail Runs
Southern States 200 - March 19, 2025 (ultrasignup.com)
Marty Gardner (Miles With Marty Podcasts)
Marathon Run’s Suman Silwal interviews Tanya following the 2024 Southern States 200 finish
On this episode, we're chatting with two of the three NC/SC finishers of the inaugural Southern States 200! Naji Husseini from Cary, NC finished 7th overall with a time of 69:30, and Mike Busick from Piedmont, SC finished 20th place with a time of 88:02. Naji and Mike talk about what led them to pursue their first 200 miler, how the race went, whether they'd do another 200+ mile race and much more.
A message from Ashlie Ithurburn
1st Place Female, Southern States 200, 2024 - Finish time - 67:25:00
1st Place Female, Southern States 200, 2025 - Finish time - 70:11:44
Apr 19, 2024, 10:34 AM
David and Mary Jo,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for all the hard work you put into this last weekend. It was truly incredible and I am still struggling to find the words to explain it all.
For what it's worth, so many aspects of this race far exceeded my expectations. It was the most beautiful collaboration of so many in the trail community of Georgia and Alabama. Wherever I went I felt like I was with family - even if I didn't recognize a single face.
Aid Stations were incredible. I felt so spoiled and undeservingly pampered from AS 1 to the very last. The responsiveness, eagerness to help fill a water bladder of flask, encouragement and creativity with getting food in my system and sending me off with a smile. I cried on more than one occasion leaving those stations.
I know it was a much smaller field, but I find there to be no comparison in help, aid and support from “----- 200.” Y'all win - and as we know, those “western race companies” have so many resources. It's a testament to y'all and to the trail community here. People stepped up and saved the day, in the most selfless ways.
I also wanted to comment that the course was breathtaking. I knew it would be, but good golly the little details and diligence to make sure that we as runners got to see every viewpoint and vista the course had to offer. I was blown away.
Another huge accolade is for the photographers! I have messaged and thanked Pete already, but sheesh. He was incredible. He was so kind and enthusiastic every time we saw him. He even pulled off on the side of the road section where Naji and I were running to grab a few pictures of the moment. The kindest and most talented soul.
I could go on and on and I'm sure I'll remember more things I was impressed by, but didn't want to close out the week without thanking the two of you. Your love and passion for the sport is contagious and while I'm sure you are still recovering yourselves, I hope you feel so much joy and contentment in a job well done. I for one am so grateful for the blood, sweat and tears you poured into every detail.
See you both on the trails soon!
Peace,
Ashlie Ithurburn