Embark on a truly infernal challenge with "The last annual Third Circle of Hell," a legendary journey run set to test the limits of even the most seasoned ultrarunners on August 5, 2026, in Sneedville, TN. This isn't merely a race; it's a 420-mile odyssey through some of Tennessee's most remote and unforgiving landscapes, known for pushing participants to their absolute breaking point. Typical race day conditions in early August bring highs around 84°F and lows around 63°F, with a 17% chance of precipitation, adding another layer of unpredictability to this already brutal event.

The course itself is a relentless traverse over mainly back roads, demanding exceptional route-finding skills as you navigate numerous turns and extended stretches without aid or services. Runners must be entirely self-sufficient, capable of carrying all necessary supplies through an unforgettable tour of Tennessee's least known scenic areas. Prepare for a staggering 23 to 24 major climbs, exploring the long Pressure Ridges thrust up by the Smoky Mountain Orogeny, the Crab Orchard Mountains, the Cumberland Plateau/Sequatchie Valley combo, and the southern extension of Lookout Mountain. With an elevation rating of "very hilly," runners can expect to conquer approximately 7,500 to 12,500 feet of ascent within every 50 miles, predominantly on groomed trails and dirt roads.

As the third jewel in the "triple crown of last annual Tennessee Journey Runs" conceived by the legendary Lazarus Lake, "The last annual Third Circle of Hell" is reserved for an elite few who have already conquered the Vol State and Heart of the South Journey Runs. This advanced event is for those who possess an "exceptional tolerance of discomfort" and the "durability of a mountain goat". Successfully navigating this trilogy is said to prepare you for anything, making this final iteration an unmissable, albeit excruciating, capstone to an ultrarunning career.