Chakchiuma Swamp Challenge
About the race
January 16–17, 2027. Lee Tartt Nature Preserve, Grenada, Mississippi.
Join us for the inaugural Chakchiuma Swamp Challenge, a unique endurance event held at the beautiful Lee Tartt Nature Preserve, affectionately known as The Swamp, in downtown Grenada, Mississippi. Organized by the Friends of Chakchiuma, with the help of dedicated volunteers and community supporters, this event welcomes runners and walkers of all experience levels.
Whether you are attempting your first trail challenge, looking to push yourself beyond your comfort zone, or dreaming of completing 50 or even 100 miles, there is a challenge for you.
Base camp and crews
Participants and their crews are encouraged to set up personal tents and support areas in designated locations near the start/finish corral. The base camp will offer food and hydration for participants and supporters, along with a place to gather, recharge, and cheer on fellow athletes.
Tent setup begins at 6:00 AM on Saturday, January 16, giving participants and crews time to get settled, organize supplies, and prepare for the 10:00 AM start. Between loops, participants can return to their tents or the start/finish area to rest, eat, hydrate, and prepare for the next challenge.
You do not have to be registered to be part of the experience. Friends, families, and community members are welcome to come out throughout the day and night to support the athletes. Come for an hour, stay for the evening, or spend the entire night cheering everyone on.
Race morning schedule
Saturday, January 16
- 6:00 AM: tent setup begins in designated areas
- 7:00–9:30 AM: packet pickup
- 10:00 AM: Ultra Challenge and AM Challenge begin
- 8:00 PM: PM Challenge begins
About the event
The Chakchiuma Swamp Challenge is not about being the fastest runner. It is about challenging yourself. For some, that means completing a first 4.167-mile loop in under an hour. For others, it means completing two loops, reaching 50 miles, or pushing through the night to earn a 100-mile belt buckle.
One loop. One hour. One challenge at a time.
Important dates
- January 2, 2027: deadline to register for a guaranteed event shirt
- January 15, 2027, at noon: online registration closes
- January 16, 2027, at 6 AM: tent setup begins
- January 16, 2027, from 7–9:30 AM: packet pickup
- January 16, 2027, at 10 AM: Ultra and AM Challenges begin
- January 16, 2027, at 8 PM: PM Challenge begins
- January 17, 2027, at 10 AM: Ultra Challenge concludes
Milestones and awards
- 12 loops / 12 hours / 50 miles: commemorative 50-mile finisher medal
- 24 loops / 24 hours / 100 miles: commemorative 100-mile belt buckle and your 50-mile medal
The final loop begins at 9:00 AM Sunday, January 17, with the challenge officially ending at 10:00 AM.
Registration and event shirts
- Online registration closes Friday, January 15, 2027, at 12:00 PM (noon).
- All registered participants are eligible to receive an official Chakchiuma Swamp Challenge participation shirt.
- To guarantee your shirt and preferred size, register online no later than Saturday, January 2, 2027.
- Participants registering after January 2 are not guaranteed a shirt. Shirts are available only while supplies last.
Cupless event
To reduce waste and help protect the natural beauty of Lee Tartt Nature Preserve, the Chakchiuma Swamp Challenge is a cupless event. All participants must bring their own reusable cup, collapsible cup, or hydration container for refueling and hydration. Disposable cups will not be provided.
The course
24hrs
Am Challenge
Pm Challenge
The course is a 4.167-mile loop through Lee Tartt Nature Preserve. Participants must complete each loop within one hour, and finishing a loop earns the chance to start another. The Ultra Challenge follows a backyard ultra-style format, with a loop every hour, on the hour.
Nighttime lighting
Participants who will be on the course after dark must bring appropriate lighting. A headlamp or handheld flashlight is required, and backup batteries or an additional light source are strongly recommended. This applies to PM Challenge participants and Ultra Challenge participants continuing into the nighttime hours.
Location
Lee Tartt Nature Preserve, Grenada, MS, USA Open in Google Maps
City insight: Grenada
Grenada is a city in Grenada County in north-central Mississippi, USA, and it serves as the county seat. Founded in 1836, it had a population of 12,700 at the 2020 census. Summers in north Mississippi are hot and humid and winters are mild but can be cold and damp, so early spring and October to November are generally the best months for running or racing.
Know from the athletes
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