Like Blood Rock 25 & 50K
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2018 Blood Rock 25K & 50K Trail Race
September 29th - Oak Mountain State Park, Pelham, Alabama near Birmingham
Starts at the Cabins at Oak Mountain State Park - 6:30 AM
Blood Rock Race Shirts are included with your Registration. Please note: You must sign up on or before September 16th to be assured of receiving a race shirt. Technical race shirts and cotton hoodies are also available on Ultrasignup for an additional fee through 9/16.
The 2017 Blood Rock 25 & 50K race will start at 6:30 AM at the Redbud Pavilion near the BMX Track on Tranquility Road. Both races will use the same trails as the 2017 races including the same backcountry trails in the early part of the race. Shelby County has constructed a new section of multi-use trail that will eliminate most of the Findley Drive section we used in 2016.
The Course: The 25 & 50K will start at the Redbud Pavilion and follow a short section of the bike trail back to near the "Chimneys," then take a small connector over the Light Trail to the campground. Runners will continue straight ahead through the campground to a trail leading off to the left and around the northwest side of Oak Mountain Lake. You will cross over the dam and continue on the gravel road then paved road, past the fishing center and turn right across the dam. At the parking lot just past the dam you will enter a trail that will eventually reach the "Far End Back Trail." Turn left and head into the Oak Mountain Backcountry.
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 of photo or two. Runners 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 will find yourself at the bottom of "Barkley Hill" . After reaching the east ridge runners will head down the back side of Double Oak Mountain on an old wagon road into the "Outback." Runners will eventually climb out of Donnavant Valley, up "Topless Hill" and return to "Normal" trails and eventually reach Redbud the end for 25K runners. 50K Runners, well, you have a little bit to go yet. For full course details follow the link above to "25K and 50K Course Description and Map."
The Course: The 25 & 50K will start at the Redbud Pavilion and follow a short section of the bike trail back to near the "Chimneys," then take a small connector over the Light Trail to the campground. Runners will continue straight ahead through the campground to a trail leading off to the left and around the northwest side of Oak Mountain Lake. You will cross over the dam and continue on the gravel road then paved road, past the fishing center and turn right across the dam. At the parking lot just past the dam you will enter a trail that will eventually reach the "Far End Back Trail." Turn left and head into the Oak Mountain Backcountry.
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 of photo or two. Runners 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 will find yourself at the bottom of "Barkley Hill" . After reaching the east ridge runners will head down the back side of Double Oak Mountain on an old wagon road into the "Outback." Runners will eventually climb out of Donnavant Valley, up "Topless Hill" and return to "Normal" trails and eventually reach Redbud the end for 25K runners. 50K Runners, well, you have a little bit to go yet. For full course details follow the link above to "25K and 50K Course Description and Map."
Weekend Schedule:
Friday - Sept 28th - 4:00 to 6:00 PM: Packet Pickup for 25 & 50K races will be at Tranquility Lake Meeting Center in the Cabins at Oak Mountain State Park, the races start location. The Meeting Center is on the left as you enter the cabin area at the bottom of the hill on Cabin Dr, just off Findley Drive. Coming in from the South Entrance near I-65, the turn to Redbud will be on your right. If you are coming in from the north entrance, watch for the banner on your left to Tranquility Dr. (Please try to get your packet Friday, Saturday AM will be a bit hectic!!) Tell the park attendant at the pay booth you are going to pick up your Blood Rock Race Packet and attend the pre-race briefing and you will not be charged to enter the park Friday night. There will be a $5.00 per person entry fee Saturday for the race.
Friday, 4:45 PM: Prerace Briefing at Redbud Pavilion. Here is a link to the Start Location & Packet Pickup from the South Pay booth.
Saturday - September 29th - 5:30 to 6:20 AM: Packet Pickup at the Start location at Redbud Pavilion. Do NOT drive into the Cabins ares before 5:15 AM.
There is a $5 per person entry fee to get in Oak Mtn State Park Saturday Morning. (Did I mentions that before?)
Saturday - 6:30 AM: Start of the Blood Rock 25K and 50K Trail Race.
Saturday -6:30 PM: Cutoff for all Blood Rock 50K and 25K Races. (If you think there is a chance you could be on the trials past 6:30 PM please carry a flashlight or headlamp with you during the race or have one at the Redbud Pavilion to carry to the finish. Sunset is 7:15 PM.)
Aid Stations, and Cutoffs for Blood Rock 50K and 25K races
The cutoff for the 50K at the Terrace Drive Aid Station will be 3:00 PM and at the finish at 6:30 PM. The only cutoff for the 25K is the 12 hour race cutoff for the 50K, 6:30 PM. We will not accept any dropbags for 50K and 25K runners however you are welcome to leave a bag at the start/finish area around Redbud and the Terrace Drive Aid Station. If you leave a bag at an aid station it is your responsibility to retrieve it as well. Bags left on the course will be discarded.
Friday - Sept 28th - 4:00 to 6:00 PM: Packet Pickup for 25 & 50K races will be at Tranquility Lake Meeting Center in the Cabins at Oak Mountain State Park, the races start location. The Meeting Center is on the left as you enter the cabin area at the bottom of the hill on Cabin Dr, just off Findley Drive. Coming in from the South Entrance near I-65, the turn to Redbud will be on your right. If you are coming in from the north entrance, watch for the banner on your left to Tranquility Dr. (Please try to get your packet Friday, Saturday AM will be a bit hectic!!) Tell the park attendant at the pay booth you are going to pick up your Blood Rock Race Packet and attend the pre-race briefing and you will not be charged to enter the park Friday night. There will be a $5.00 per person entry fee Saturday for the race.
Friday, 4:45 PM: Prerace Briefing at Redbud Pavilion. Here is a link to the Start Location & Packet Pickup from the South Pay booth.
Saturday - September 29th - 5:30 to 6:20 AM: Packet Pickup at the Start location at Redbud Pavilion. Do NOT drive into the Cabins ares before 5:15 AM.
There is a $5 per person entry fee to get in Oak Mtn State Park Saturday Morning. (Did I mentions that before?)
Saturday - 6:30 AM: Start of the Blood Rock 25K and 50K Trail Race.
Saturday -6:30 PM: Cutoff for all Blood Rock 50K and 25K Races. (If you think there is a chance you could be on the trials past 6:30 PM please carry a flashlight or headlamp with you during the race or have one at the Redbud Pavilion to carry to the finish. Sunset is 7:15 PM.)
Aid Stations, and Cutoffs for Blood Rock 50K and 25K races
The cutoff for the 50K at the Terrace Drive Aid Station will be 3:00 PM and at the finish at 6:30 PM. The only cutoff for the 25K is the 12 hour race cutoff for the 50K, 6:30 PM. We will not accept any dropbags for 50K and 25K runners however you are welcome to leave a bag at the start/finish area around Redbud and the Terrace Drive Aid Station. If you leave a bag at an aid station it is your responsibility to retrieve it as well. Bags left on the course will be discarded.
We are thrilled to announce that the Blood Rock 50K is once again the 2018 RRCA Ultra Marathon Championship Race for the State of Alabama.
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Click on the Pace Chart above for printable PDF
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Lodging outside the park:
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. Our discount is listed under Blood Rock Races.
Link to Google Maps from the Holiday Inn to Redbud. The hotel has a complimentary full or breakfast buffet or continental breakfast.
If you stay at a hotel, it will be best to stay near the South (southwest) entrance to the park close to I-65. The north entrance does not open until 7:00AM
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.)
Camping in the park: Oak Mountain State Park Camping ( Less than two miles from the start)
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. Our discount is listed under Blood Rock Races.
Link to Google Maps from the Holiday Inn to Redbud. The hotel has a complimentary full or breakfast buffet or continental breakfast.
If you stay at a hotel, it will be best to stay near the South (southwest) entrance to the park close to I-65. The north entrance does not open until 7:00AM
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.)
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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