3/28/2026
The Georgia Death Race
Blairsville, Georgia
74 Mile Trail Race
John Fabianich McClay
Finish Time: 19:03:11
Overall Place: 43rd Place / 183
Division Place: 2nd Place / 28
Josh Keane
Finish Time: 23:39:06
Overall Place 166th Place / 183
Division Place: 22nd Place / 28
Lynett McClay volunteered for aid station duties.
Race Recap By Josh Keane:
This is certainly the most difficult race that I have ever run. The long drive home yesterday provided plenty of time to contemplate this adventure. This race certainly is not for everyone and every year there is at least a 40% drop out rate. With that said, if you are the individual that is seeking to challenge yourself and endure the difficulty of these mountains then this is a great race to do it! Race director and volunteers were top notch. Aid stations were very remote but had everything you could need. In fact I actually used more of their food than my own gels throughout the race.
The course was very well marked with streamers and arrows both on signs and on the road sections. Most of the course was very technical single track with some dirt and paved road sections that were a welcomed change for my feet. The 16,000 feet of elevation gain was absolutely brutal, but for the first time in my running career (as a bigger boy) the 16,000 of downhill also crushed my quads and my soul! The fact that you had to get up and be at the bus pick up by 02:30 to go on an hour and a half bus ride to the start of the race at 05:00 just added to the long list of challenges! In fact I was starting to fall asleep a little running down a hill with several miles to go! Another first for me! This was certainly a wonderful, terrible good day. If you ever want to put yourself to an extreme challenge this is a good way to do so!
A big shout out to John Mark Fabianich Mcclay who continues to always impress me on these challenging races and allows me to tag along. Thank you to Lynett McClay for being there to support us through it all on this trip. Thank you to Jeremey Followay ( Race Brimstone) for the support and awesome “Ohio Death Runners Swag” and of course Jody Engstrom who was my rock on this trip and an absolute great friend to travel with us a crew me. Without Jeremey and Jody I would probably dropped early in the race after a hard fall slowed me down. Most of all I want to thank Lisa Keane “my favorite Team ER team mate” for tolerating me and supporting me through all of these adventures. She could not make the trip this time but is my best friend and is always with me no matter what. Thank to all of the Ohio runners for pooling together to make this trip even better. If you hat a chance head on down and enjoy those beautiful Georgia mountains!
Race Recap By Lynett McClay:
Volunteering for Georgia Death race. This race was one the mountains of Georgia. Packet pick up was easy In the Lodge at Aminacola lodge. All runners received a hat, glass cup, and socks. Runners can sign up for extra swag like t-shirts and hoodies for a fee. I got to crew my husband John Mark Fabianich Mcclay through the whole 74ish miles. I could only see him at mile 21, 27 and 43 and the finish. The morning of was freezing cold and by the afternoon was in the 70s and by evening was cold again. I want to congratulate John Fabianich McClay, and Josh Keane for completing one of the toughest races on the east coast.
