Dave Waters of DeKalb (238) starts off strong into the first climb of the State Games of Mississippi Trail Race on Saturday at Bonita Lakes. Photos by Thomas Howard

More than two dozen Mississippi athletes Saturday took on the grueling hills at Bonita Lakes as they competed in the State Games of Mississippi Trail Run. The 4.6 mile gravel and dirt course tests runners with both distance and steep climbs. In total, 29 athletes participated in this year’s race.