CHELSEA TO CHILDREN’S HARBOR 100
RUN STARTS AT 220 NORMANDY LN, CHELSEA
ENDS AT CHILDREN’S HARBOR ON LAKE MARTIN
May 15th and 16th
This is not a public run. A small group will be running 100 miles through central Alabama to Children's Harbor on Lake Martin.
RUN STARTS AT 220 NORMANDY LN, CHELSEA
ENDS AT CHILDREN’S HARBOR ON LAKE MARTIN
May 15th and 16th
This is not a public run. A small group will be running 100 miles through central Alabama to Children's Harbor on Lake Martin.
On May 15th, a few friends and I will set off from my house in Chelsea, Alabama and run 100 Miles through the beautiful rolling hills and farmland of Central Alabama to Children's Harbor on Lake Martin. We will arrive on May 16th, sometime before noon. Our purpose is to raise money for Smile-A-Mile. Please help. If you don't want to run 100 miles "SOLO" then form a relay team. The team will provide a rolling aid station and cheering section for the team member running.
There will be no entry fee for the run, or registration. What I ask is that every person running, solo or as part of a relay team, make a donation to Smile-A-Mile. I "suggest" $100, (minimum) We will set up a donation page through Smile-A-Mile so the donations go directly to SAM. Last year we were able to raise over $7,000.00, much of that thanks to very generous contributions by Lori Lions and Greg Yaghmai. We can beat that this year!
There will be no entry fee for the run, or registration. What I ask is that every person running, solo or as part of a relay team, make a donation to Smile-A-Mile. I "suggest" $100, (minimum) We will set up a donation page through Smile-A-Mile so the donations go directly to SAM. Last year we were able to raise over $7,000.00, much of that thanks to very generous contributions by Lori Lions and Greg Yaghmai. We can beat that this year!
The Chelsea to Children’s Harbor 100 will start at my house in Chelsea directly across from Double Oak Mountain in Oak Mountain State Park at 5:30 AM on May 30th. The run will be mostly on paved county and state roads. Some of the county roads are, shall we say, “lightly traveled.” Runners will pass through Columbiana, then continue south through such "interesting" communities as "Jumbo," Lyle, Kelly’s Crossroads, Rockford, Hissop, Fishpond and Our Town. We will cross over the Coosa River just below Lay Lake Dam on County Rd 55 at mile 38. Further up Co Rd 55, runners will turn right onto the CC Camp Road up to Flagg Mountain. This is a beautiful section of road that leads to the Southern Terminus of the Pinhoti Trail. The course crosses many small creeks on some "interesting" bridges. When we reach Russell Lands, we will leave the roads and run 5 miles of the last 6 on Big Way, part of the Russell Forest Trail System and "parts of the Lake Martin 100 course." The final mile of the SAM 100 will be running across Kowaliga Bridge over Lake Martin to Children’s Harbor. We will arrive at Children’s Harbor Sunday Morning. After a little recovery we can all head across Hwy 63 to Kowaliga Restaurant or back to Russell Crossroads and Catherine's Market for lunch. They both have outside seating, which is fortunate. We will probably smell pretty bad!
Garmin Connect Map Link: The Chelsea to Children's Harbor 100 course on Garmin Connect
Garmin Connect Map Link: The Chelsea to Children's Harbor 100 course on Garmin Connect
Here is a YouTube video I made to encourage donations.
Click on the image below.
Click on the map below for 15 MB full course map.
TURN BY TURN CHELSEA TO CHILDREN’S HARBOR 100 ROUTE
Here is the Turn-by-Turn route. Think how much fun it will be dodging cars and mangy dogs for 100 miles on paved roads. Actually, there are only 90 miles of paved/semi paved roads. Ten miles are on gravel roads and the Big Way Trail through Russell Lands on Lake Martin. Some of the county roads do not quite fit the definition of a paved roads either. But that is what makes it fun. We already have several runners committed to running with me and a bunch of volunteers to help along the way. More are always welcome. Now we need donations for Children' Harbor!
CLICK ON THE TURN-BY-TURN DESCRIPTION FOR A PDF VERSION.
Here is the Turn-by-Turn route. Think how much fun it will be dodging cars and mangy dogs for 100 miles on paved roads. Actually, there are only 90 miles of paved/semi paved roads. Ten miles are on gravel roads and the Big Way Trail through Russell Lands on Lake Martin. Some of the county roads do not quite fit the definition of a paved roads either. But that is what makes it fun. We already have several runners committed to running with me and a bunch of volunteers to help along the way. More are always welcome. Now we need donations for Children' Harbor!
CLICK ON THE TURN-BY-TURN DESCRIPTION FOR A PDF VERSION.
Photos from the 2020 Chelsea to Children's Harbor 100
We drove the course in early April. Here are some pictures we took along the way.
The Destination, Children’s Harbor, Mile 100.6
*To Run the C2CH 100, The Fee is a $100 Donation to Smile-A-Mile
*To Volunteer, we provide food, snacks and beer, or Coffee! At 2:00 AM somewhere near Hissop.
What is Smile-A-Mile Anyway?
I know some of you are not familiar with Smile-A-Mile, (formerly known as Camp Smile-A-Mile) or what SAM does, or why we are running to Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. The following is copied directly from the SAM and Children’s Harbor websites.
Smile-A-Mile’s Mission Statement
Smile-A-Mile’s mission is to provide hope, healing of the spirit and love for the whole family during the childhood cancer journey. Through year-round meaningful and educational programming, Smile-A-Mile helps those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer thrive during treatment and the years beyond.
About Smile-A-Mile
Smile-A-Mile started more than 30 years ago with just a single summer camp session for children in Alabama with cancer. Over the years, we have grown to be a year-round program that serves children and their families from diagnosis and through the years beyond treatment. Our purpose is to provide hope for these families through their cancer journey.
Why are we running to Children’s Harbor?
Smile-A-Mile has seven camp sessions each year at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin – Children’s Harbor is a separate organization and donates the use of their facilities for our camp sessions. The Chelsea to Children’s Harbor 100 will arrive during the “On Therapy Family Camp.”
In 1987, Ben and Luanne Russell began dreaming of building a place for children and families on Lake Martin on property provided by Russell Lands. The dream became a reality in 1989 with the dedication ceremonies for Children's Harbor, a facility with the primary purpose of hosting camping and retreat services through partnering organizations, providing patients and families a place of rest and restoration.
A replica of the Plymouth Lighthouse is a prominent icon of Children’s Harbor at Lake Martin and is visible from the Kowaliga Bridge. The lighthouse symbolizes our goal of helping children and families find their way through the treacherous waters in which they sometimes find themselves.
The Banner Photo at the top of the page shows the beautiful Lighthouse and Chapel at Children’s Harbor.
*To Run the C2CH 100, The Fee is a $100 Donation to Smile-A-Mile
*To Volunteer, we provide food, snacks and beer, or Coffee! At 2:00 AM somewhere near Hissop.
What is Smile-A-Mile Anyway?
I know some of you are not familiar with Smile-A-Mile, (formerly known as Camp Smile-A-Mile) or what SAM does, or why we are running to Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin. The following is copied directly from the SAM and Children’s Harbor websites.
Smile-A-Mile’s Mission Statement
Smile-A-Mile’s mission is to provide hope, healing of the spirit and love for the whole family during the childhood cancer journey. Through year-round meaningful and educational programming, Smile-A-Mile helps those in Alabama who are affected by childhood cancer thrive during treatment and the years beyond.
About Smile-A-Mile
Smile-A-Mile started more than 30 years ago with just a single summer camp session for children in Alabama with cancer. Over the years, we have grown to be a year-round program that serves children and their families from diagnosis and through the years beyond treatment. Our purpose is to provide hope for these families through their cancer journey.
Why are we running to Children’s Harbor?
Smile-A-Mile has seven camp sessions each year at Children’s Harbor on Lake Martin – Children’s Harbor is a separate organization and donates the use of their facilities for our camp sessions. The Chelsea to Children’s Harbor 100 will arrive during the “On Therapy Family Camp.”
In 1987, Ben and Luanne Russell began dreaming of building a place for children and families on Lake Martin on property provided by Russell Lands. The dream became a reality in 1989 with the dedication ceremonies for Children's Harbor, a facility with the primary purpose of hosting camping and retreat services through partnering organizations, providing patients and families a place of rest and restoration.
A replica of the Plymouth Lighthouse is a prominent icon of Children’s Harbor at Lake Martin and is visible from the Kowaliga Bridge. The lighthouse symbolizes our goal of helping children and families find their way through the treacherous waters in which they sometimes find themselves.
The Banner Photo at the top of the page shows the beautiful Lighthouse and Chapel at Children’s Harbor.
Solo Runners - Guidelines for the run
Each runner is responsible for their own supplies and support. What does that mean?
1. Each solo runner should have at least one person supporting them the entire distance.
2. Each solo runner must provide their own supplies - food, snacks, water, Gatorade, etc.
3. Each solo runner is responsible for transportation to the start and back home from Children's Harbor. (Cars cannot be left at my house, the start!)
4. Solo runners are welcome to work together with crew and aid stations. Each runners must still have a crew member along at all times.
(If we have 20 solo runners, we do not want 20 crew cars at the AS stops. We will need to team up)
5. We encourage all solo runners to run together. We will be running at a pace to finish the 100 in under 30 hours.
6. Solo runners are welcome to run at any pace they like. BUT, if you run ahead you are totally responsible for yourself. Your crew must take care of
everything, including staying on course!
7. As a solo runner, if you plan to run at a faster pace than the "pack," you MUST have your own crew car to support you the entire distance.
8. Any individual runner, running ahead of the "pack," must have a car placing "Runners on Road" signs ahead of the runner at all times.
Your crew should keep one sign a miles or two ahead. When you reach it, they can move it further ahead. It's best to have two signs so there is
always a sign up ahead. Last year Mike House kept signs up ahead of us virtually the entire 100 mile. I was amazing how much nicer drivers were
when they knew we were up ahead.
Each runner is responsible for their own supplies and support. What does that mean?
1. Each solo runner should have at least one person supporting them the entire distance.
2. Each solo runner must provide their own supplies - food, snacks, water, Gatorade, etc.
3. Each solo runner is responsible for transportation to the start and back home from Children's Harbor. (Cars cannot be left at my house, the start!)
4. Solo runners are welcome to work together with crew and aid stations. Each runners must still have a crew member along at all times.
(If we have 20 solo runners, we do not want 20 crew cars at the AS stops. We will need to team up)
5. We encourage all solo runners to run together. We will be running at a pace to finish the 100 in under 30 hours.
6. Solo runners are welcome to run at any pace they like. BUT, if you run ahead you are totally responsible for yourself. Your crew must take care of
everything, including staying on course!
7. As a solo runner, if you plan to run at a faster pace than the "pack," you MUST have your own crew car to support you the entire distance.
8. Any individual runner, running ahead of the "pack," must have a car placing "Runners on Road" signs ahead of the runner at all times.
Your crew should keep one sign a miles or two ahead. When you reach it, they can move it further ahead. It's best to have two signs so there is
always a sign up ahead. Last year Mike House kept signs up ahead of us virtually the entire 100 mile. I was amazing how much nicer drivers were
when they knew we were up ahead.
Relay Teams - Guidelines for the run
As with solo runners, each relay team is responsible for their own supplies and support. The ides is to have your whole team with you the entire 100 miles.
That's what makes it so much fun!
1. Each relay team is totally responsible for itself. (If your runner gets in trouble, your team has to be there to take care of the runner.)
a. Each relay team must have at least one team car with it's runner/runners at all times.
b. Each relay team must have at least one team member with the runner/runners at all times. (That is, driving the car that accompanies the runner.)
c. Each team is responsible for finding the correct route.
2. Relay teams may choose to run along with other relay teams or by themselves.
3. Relay team members my run alone or with other team members. There are no limits on how many can run together.
4. Everyone is welcome to run to the finish together. (Just remember, you have to get back to the car or cars if you do.)
5. This is NOT a race. However, I know runners tend to be a "bit" competitive. If team "A" and team "B" both want to get there first, "Go for it!"
6. As with solo runners, relay teams need to have someone out front placing "Runners on Road" signs in front of runners.
Keeping sighs out front is easy. Assign one car to do the job. Drive ahead two miles and place a sign beside the road facing oncoming traffic. Drive
ahead mile or two and put out another. Go back to the first and wait for the runners. After they pass, pick up the first sign and move it ahead a mile or
two in front of the second sign you placed. (And repeat, 50 times!) Be imaginative. Last year, as mentioned above, Mike House took care of the signs for us, virtually the entire 100 miles. As we would run up on him, standing by his car on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, he would be
dancing around with the sign like those guys trying to get cars into fast food restaurants.
As with solo runners, each relay team is responsible for their own supplies and support. The ides is to have your whole team with you the entire 100 miles.
That's what makes it so much fun!
1. Each relay team is totally responsible for itself. (If your runner gets in trouble, your team has to be there to take care of the runner.)
a. Each relay team must have at least one team car with it's runner/runners at all times.
b. Each relay team must have at least one team member with the runner/runners at all times. (That is, driving the car that accompanies the runner.)
c. Each team is responsible for finding the correct route.
2. Relay teams may choose to run along with other relay teams or by themselves.
3. Relay team members my run alone or with other team members. There are no limits on how many can run together.
4. Everyone is welcome to run to the finish together. (Just remember, you have to get back to the car or cars if you do.)
5. This is NOT a race. However, I know runners tend to be a "bit" competitive. If team "A" and team "B" both want to get there first, "Go for it!"
6. As with solo runners, relay teams need to have someone out front placing "Runners on Road" signs in front of runners.
Keeping sighs out front is easy. Assign one car to do the job. Drive ahead two miles and place a sign beside the road facing oncoming traffic. Drive
ahead mile or two and put out another. Go back to the first and wait for the runners. After they pass, pick up the first sign and move it ahead a mile or
two in front of the second sign you placed. (And repeat, 50 times!) Be imaginative. Last year, as mentioned above, Mike House took care of the signs for us, virtually the entire 100 miles. As we would run up on him, standing by his car on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere, he would be
dancing around with the sign like those guys trying to get cars into fast food restaurants.
This is the sign I use. (I would leave off the "This Weekend.")
I can get the signs printed for your team if you like. I have ours printed by "Signs on the Cheap" out of Austin, Texas. Ten of these signs would be $5.95 each, size 18 X 24. The ones I have are 24 X 36 and they would be $11.31 each if I order 10. They are $3 higher if you just order one or two. I can order however many we need and save a little, or you can order them yourself and get whatever kind of sign you want. The boxes are big and shipping is high. It saves to ship a lot of signs at once. Or, get a markers and make your own! The signs are even more important at night. Drivers are not accustomed to seeing people running down a road at 2:00 AM.
I can get the signs printed for your team if you like. I have ours printed by "Signs on the Cheap" out of Austin, Texas. Ten of these signs would be $5.95 each, size 18 X 24. The ones I have are 24 X 36 and they would be $11.31 each if I order 10. They are $3 higher if you just order one or two. I can order however many we need and save a little, or you can order them yourself and get whatever kind of sign you want. The boxes are big and shipping is high. It saves to ship a lot of signs at once. Or, get a markers and make your own! The signs are even more important at night. Drivers are not accustomed to seeing people running down a road at 2:00 AM.