The Georgia Jewel
Dalton, GA
Our Story...
Hey friends! We’re Team Baker and we took over the GA Jewel in 2016. We’re not really race directors and we’re not really in the running business… but we ARE into giving back to a community of people who have changed our lives. We have other careers and obligations and in the midst of that crazy, we find tremendous joy in creating a great race experience for our running friends.
We live in Chattanooga and make hosting this race a family event. Parents help, kids help, friends help and at the finish line we hope it feels more like you’re sitting in our home than at the end of a race. (Most likely it will since our kiddos will be running around and our parents will be helping managing the chaos.)
Runners get each other. We enjoy doing hard things in beautiful places and it’s nice to have a great event that connects us all. Each year feels like a big family reunion. We adore all the strong and courageous runners who enter our world through the race and we'd love to meet you at the Jewel!
Franklin, Jenny, Luci and Levi Baker
* Sweet pics by the amazing Jobie Williams, Lavender Roots Photography and a few iphones.
Our Amazing Partners
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The Jewel is only amazing because of our partners and the city of Dalton. Since it’s inception, the Jewel has worked with the Dalton Convention Center, downtown area businesses, the Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association and the Dalton Amateur Radio group to create an event we hope, makes the city proud.
Most people know Dalton as the carpet capital of the world. And while that’s true we’re more impressed that it was because of a woman (ok, Jenny is.) Catherine Evans Whitener began making bedspreads and was so dang good at it her orders far exceeded her production. So she taught ad hired help and created what is still Dalton’s staple industry, carpeting textiles.
We love the feel of downtown Dalton and the nostalgia it brings. It’s got great craft beer at Cherokee Brewing and delicious empanadas at Love Empanadas. Or you can find your staple favorites like Chick-fil-a and Panera. Or the Japanese Hibachi steakhouse. There’s something for everyone.
We’re always so grateful for The Dalton Convention Center who consistently helps, lending their equipment, space and support. We think they’re pretty great people.
And the Pinhoti…
The Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association boasts of some of the hardest and most loyal trail lovers we know. You can find them clearing trails, managing trails and communicating when something isn’t right. You’ll seldom see their faces, which makes them quiet heroes in our book.
We’ve never lost a runner because of the gracious support and help from the Dalton Amateur Radio Club. These guys are brilliant. If a zombie apocalypse was ever true, we'd wanna be with these guys. They can communicate through the Georgia mountains and can talk when our modern cell phones are useless. They monitor runners in and out of aid stations and help us keep track of everyone. They’re brilliant at their craft and we’re so thankful for them.
There are so many others to thank. Partners humble us. We depend on their help and they consistently choose to keep investing in us. To be helped and supported like this is truly exceptional. Please join us in giving them some love with your time and resources so they feel appreciated and valued.
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