2020 Blood Rock 25K & 50K Trail Race
December 5th - Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama near Birmingham
Starts at the Cabins on Tranquility Lake at Oak Mountain State Park - 8:00 AM
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We are thrilled to announce that the Blood Rock 50K is once again the 2019 RRCA Ultra Marathon Championship Race for the State of Alabama.
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Blood Rock is a Qualifying Race for UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc)
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The 2020 Blood Rock 25 and 50K trail race will likely be the hardest 25 or 50K you have ever run. The 25K will have well over 8,200 feet of elevation Change. The 50K will have over 18,400 ft. of change. However, the elevation gain is not what makes the race so hard. It is the terrain. Our little mountain at Oak Mountain State Park is only 700 feet tall and about 10 miles long but what it lacks in size it makes up for in brutally steep technical climbs and descents, treacherous trails and endless miles of rocks and roots. Then again, there are also some very gentle and very runnable trails. But not many! That's also why it is such a fun race.
Below is a "Relive" Video of the first 25 miles of the 2019 Blood Rock 100 and 50 Mile course and the 50K Course. The 25K runners will not repeat the backcountry section.
Blood Rock Race Shirts are included with your Registration. Please note: You must sign up on or before November 22nd to be assured of receiving a race shirt. Hoodies are also available on Ultrasignup for an additional fee through 11/22.
2020 Blood Rock 50K & 25K Course maps - Click on map for larger version
2020 Blood Rock 50K & 25K Elevation Profiles - click to enlarge
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2020 Blood Rock 50K & 25K Aid Stations, Pace Charts, and Cutoffs - Click for printable PDF file
The 2020 Blood Rock 25 & 50K race will start at 8:00 AM at the Cabins on Tranquility Lake. Both races will use the same trails including backcountry trails for the first 12 miles. It may be necessary to park at the BMX Track on Tranquility Rd and walk 600 yards to the start.
The Course: The 25 & 50K will start at the Cabins. Runners will head up the paved road for about 200 yds and turn left onto the bike trail a short distance to a turnoff just before the "Chimney." Take a small connector over to the Light Trail to the campground. Upon reaching the Campground road runners will go left and follow the road out of the campground passing by the Camp Office and Store. Just past the entrance take the trail to the left back to the North Trailhead. Run through the trailhead, cross Findley Drive and go through the gate at the NTH. This is the location of the North Trailhead Aid Station. The NTH #1 will be a water only aid station since it's only 2 miles into the race. Take an immediate left onto the bike trail that parallels the road for a short distance. Follow the bike trail for 3/4 mile. Just past the first bridge, runners will turn right onto the "Far End Back Trail" and head into the backcountry of Oak Mountain State Park. The Far End Back Trail is a long-abandoned trail at OMSP. Like the "Rim Walk East" trail it is no longer maintained and is not marked. We are fortunate to have permission from Oak Mountain State Park to use these trails.
The next 6 miles are all in the backcountry. Runners will climb up and over the west ridge, then the east ridge of Double Oak Mountain. You will eventually reach Kings Chair Overlook, one of the best overlooks in the park. Be sure to stop for a photo or two. You will continue along the east ridge on the old "Rim Walk East" trail for about a mile before the trail drops, out from under you and you'll find yourself at the bottom of "Barkley Hill." Climb back up to the east ridge with the help of some fixed ropes, on very steep trails. Then runners head along the ridge crest for 300 yards before dropping down the back side of Double Oak Mountain on an old wagon road into the "Outback." After a long descent turn right on the "Sunken Rd" for about 1/2 mile, then go right and climb out of Dunnavant Valley, up "Topless Hill." After a hundred yards along East Rim of Double Oak Mountain runners drop down to the Blue Trail. From there, it is exactly one mile to the Red Bike Road at Billy Goat Gruff Bridge Aid Station. Head down the Red Bike Road to the North Red Blue Connector and turn right up the Eagle Nest Overlook Trail. Go right again on the Blue Trail for about 100 yards then left continuing up the Eagle Nest Trail. Continue to the top of the ridge and north along the crest for just over a mile. Turn left at a faint trail leading west toward the ridge. The trail drops steeply through the cliff band heading downhill and connects into the Blue Trail. Go right on Blue for 1/3 mile to the North Trailhead Aid Station.
There, 25K runners will go left up to Bed Bike Road for 100 yards and turn right on the Yellow Trail. Follow Yellow all the way back to Maggie's Glen and turn right on the white trail for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabin. This is the finish of the 25K race. 50K Runners, when you reach the NTH aid station, turn around and go back exactly the way you came. Top off your water bottles at the Bridge Aid Station before heading back into the backcountry. You will descend the east side of Double Oak Mountain again to the "Sunken Road." You will then climb back up to the ridge on the old wagon road and return to Barkley. Descending along the fixed line then climb back out and up to the ridge and return to Kings Chair. Follow the Far End Back Trail and eventually return to the bike trail heading left back to The North Trailhead Aid Station # 3. Go left up to Bed Bike Road for 100 yards and turn right on the Yellow Trail. Follow Yellow all the way back to Maggie's Glen and turn right on the white trail for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right, runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabin Aid Station. 50K Runners, well, you have a little bit to go yet. After the Cabins Aid Station at mile 25.4, you will make a seven-mile loop to the 50K finish.
Follow the Yellow Trail southwest out of the aid station. Just before the to the second foot-bridge turn left onto the horse trail. Follow the trail up through the abandoned cabins of Camp Tranquility then cut over to another trail by the ruins of the Camp Tranquility Chapel. Go right on the old road and onto the maintained gravel road to the restored section of the camp. Follow the "Camp Road up over the crest of the hill and about a mile down to the Yellow/White Connector Trail leading up the mountain on your left. At the top of the climb go left on the White Trail and follow it along the ridge, then down the mountain, staying on White, until it "Ts" into the Yellow Trail. Go Right on Yellow for about 100 yards and cross the creek on the foot bridge. This is Maggie's Glen. Once across the creek, turn left on the White Trial for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right, runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabins and the Finish.
The Course: The 25 & 50K will start at the Cabins. Runners will head up the paved road for about 200 yds and turn left onto the bike trail a short distance to a turnoff just before the "Chimney." Take a small connector over to the Light Trail to the campground. Upon reaching the Campground road runners will go left and follow the road out of the campground passing by the Camp Office and Store. Just past the entrance take the trail to the left back to the North Trailhead. Run through the trailhead, cross Findley Drive and go through the gate at the NTH. This is the location of the North Trailhead Aid Station. The NTH #1 will be a water only aid station since it's only 2 miles into the race. Take an immediate left onto the bike trail that parallels the road for a short distance. Follow the bike trail for 3/4 mile. Just past the first bridge, runners will turn right onto the "Far End Back Trail" and head into the backcountry of Oak Mountain State Park. The Far End Back Trail is a long-abandoned trail at OMSP. Like the "Rim Walk East" trail it is no longer maintained and is not marked. We are fortunate to have permission from Oak Mountain State Park to use these trails.
The next 6 miles are all in the backcountry. Runners will climb up and over the west ridge, then the east ridge of Double Oak Mountain. You will eventually reach Kings Chair Overlook, one of the best overlooks in the park. Be sure to stop for a photo or two. You will continue along the east ridge on the old "Rim Walk East" trail for about a mile before the trail drops, out from under you and you'll find yourself at the bottom of "Barkley Hill." Climb back up to the east ridge with the help of some fixed ropes, on very steep trails. Then runners head along the ridge crest for 300 yards before dropping down the back side of Double Oak Mountain on an old wagon road into the "Outback." After a long descent turn right on the "Sunken Rd" for about 1/2 mile, then go right and climb out of Dunnavant Valley, up "Topless Hill." After a hundred yards along East Rim of Double Oak Mountain runners drop down to the Blue Trail. From there, it is exactly one mile to the Red Bike Road at Billy Goat Gruff Bridge Aid Station. Head down the Red Bike Road to the North Red Blue Connector and turn right up the Eagle Nest Overlook Trail. Go right again on the Blue Trail for about 100 yards then left continuing up the Eagle Nest Trail. Continue to the top of the ridge and north along the crest for just over a mile. Turn left at a faint trail leading west toward the ridge. The trail drops steeply through the cliff band heading downhill and connects into the Blue Trail. Go right on Blue for 1/3 mile to the North Trailhead Aid Station.
There, 25K runners will go left up to Bed Bike Road for 100 yards and turn right on the Yellow Trail. Follow Yellow all the way back to Maggie's Glen and turn right on the white trail for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabin. This is the finish of the 25K race. 50K Runners, when you reach the NTH aid station, turn around and go back exactly the way you came. Top off your water bottles at the Bridge Aid Station before heading back into the backcountry. You will descend the east side of Double Oak Mountain again to the "Sunken Road." You will then climb back up to the ridge on the old wagon road and return to Barkley. Descending along the fixed line then climb back out and up to the ridge and return to Kings Chair. Follow the Far End Back Trail and eventually return to the bike trail heading left back to The North Trailhead Aid Station # 3. Go left up to Bed Bike Road for 100 yards and turn right on the Yellow Trail. Follow Yellow all the way back to Maggie's Glen and turn right on the white trail for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right, runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabin Aid Station. 50K Runners, well, you have a little bit to go yet. After the Cabins Aid Station at mile 25.4, you will make a seven-mile loop to the 50K finish.
Follow the Yellow Trail southwest out of the aid station. Just before the to the second foot-bridge turn left onto the horse trail. Follow the trail up through the abandoned cabins of Camp Tranquility then cut over to another trail by the ruins of the Camp Tranquility Chapel. Go right on the old road and onto the maintained gravel road to the restored section of the camp. Follow the "Camp Road up over the crest of the hill and about a mile down to the Yellow/White Connector Trail leading up the mountain on your left. At the top of the climb go left on the White Trail and follow it along the ridge, then down the mountain, staying on White, until it "Ts" into the Yellow Trail. Go Right on Yellow for about 100 yards and cross the creek on the foot bridge. This is Maggie's Glen. Once across the creek, turn left on the White Trial for about 500 yards. Where the white trail turns right, runners will continue straight ahead on the trial leading back to the Cabins and the Finish.
Weekend Schedule: (25 & 50K and Saturday Start 50 Milers, please do NOT pick up their race packets Friday)
Saturday - December 5th - 6:00 to 7:30 AM: Packet Pickup for 25 & 50K runners and 50 Milers starting Saturday at the Start location, the Cabins.
There is a $5 per person entry fee to get in Oak Mountain State Park Saturday Morning. Credit cards are NOT accepted!
Saturday - 7:40 AM: Prerace briefing at The Cabins for all runners starting Saturday morning.
Saturday - 8:00 AM: Start of the Blood Rock 25K and 50K Trail Race and Alternative start for the Blood Rock 50 Mile.
Saturday - 4:00 PM: Cutoff for all Blood Rock 25K Race. (If you think there is a chance you could be on the trials past 4:30 PM please carry a flashlight.)
Saturday - 10:30 PM: Cutoff for the Blood Rock 50K.
Sunday - 8:00 AM: Cutoff for the Blood Rock 100 mile race.
Saturday - December 5th - 6:00 to 7:30 AM: Packet Pickup for 25 & 50K runners and 50 Milers starting Saturday at the Start location, the Cabins.
There is a $5 per person entry fee to get in Oak Mountain State Park Saturday Morning. Credit cards are NOT accepted!
Saturday - 7:40 AM: Prerace briefing at The Cabins for all runners starting Saturday morning.
Saturday - 8:00 AM: Start of the Blood Rock 25K and 50K Trail Race and Alternative start for the Blood Rock 50 Mile.
Saturday - 4:00 PM: Cutoff for all Blood Rock 25K Race. (If you think there is a chance you could be on the trials past 4:30 PM please carry a flashlight.)
Saturday - 10:30 PM: Cutoff for the Blood Rock 50K.
Sunday - 8:00 AM: Cutoff for the Blood Rock 100 mile race.
Lodging outside the park - Near South Entrance off Interstate 65
Our partner hotel is the Holiday Inn Express just off Hwy 119, Cahaba Valley Rd just 3 miles from the park entrance. Address: 260 Cahaba Valley Rd, Pelham, AL 35124.
Phone: 205 987 8888 Our discount is listed under Southeastern Trail Runs. The hotel has a complimentary full or breakfast buffet or continental breakfast. Link to Google Maps from the Holiday Inn to Redbud. |
The Quality Inn is located about 3 miles from the south entrance to Oak Mtn State Park. Call the hotel and ask for the “Blood Rock 100” discount. The race is $75 per night.
Address: 110 Cahaba Valley Pkwy, Pelham, AL 35124. Phone: (205) 444-9200. Rating: 4.1 our of 5 |
If you stay at a hotel, it will be best to stay near the South (southwest) entrance to the park close to Interstate-65. The north entrance opens at 7:00 AM.
Other Hotels in the area: Google Maps link to other area hotels.
Lodging in the Park: Oak Mountain State Park Cabins. (You can walk to the start - 100 to 400 yards.) Sorry, all the cabins are booked
Camping in the park: Oak Mountain State Park Camping ( Less than two miles from the start)
Other Hotels in the area: Google Maps link to other area hotels.
Lodging in the Park: Oak Mountain State Park Cabins. (You can walk to the start - 100 to 400 yards.) Sorry, all the cabins are booked
Camping in the park: Oak Mountain State Park Camping ( Less than two miles from the start)
Click on the image above to watch Marathon Runs (MRuns.com) video of the July 29, 2017 Blood Rock Preview Run.
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Click on this image to see the 2017 Course Preview Run Video by Southeastern Trail Runs
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STR is excited to announce our new sponsor for 2019 is ON Running Shoes
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Contact Southeastern Trail Runs:
Southeastern Trail Runs,
220 Normandy Ln,
Chelsea, AL 35043
Email RD - Southeastern Trail Runs
Southeastern Trail Runs,
220 Normandy Ln,
Chelsea, AL 35043
Email RD - Southeastern Trail Runs