GTC Paris Mountain Road Race

They call it the Toughest Race in the South, and with 2,500 vertical feet of elevation gain packed into 21.1 kilometers—featuring 89 curves and grades that hit 15%—the Paris Mountain Road Race earns its title. This small but fierce half-marathon starts and finishes at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, sending runners up the north face of Paris Mountain, down the south side, and back along the hilly base roads.

With a recent field of just over 160 runners, the race draws from about five states and offers a genuine challenge for those seeking a true mountain road race. The course is entirely paved, but don't be fooled—this is no fast PR course. It's a test of climbing strength and descending nerve, made even more demanding by the relentless rolling terrain at the base. The long-sleeve commemorative shirt is a solid keepsake from a race that leaves you with a hard-earned sense of accomplishment.