Hotter 'N Hell 9 & 18 Mile Trail Race
**** The 2020 Race will start at 7:00 AM ***
July 18, 2020 - 7:00 AM Start, Oak Mountain State Park - Lakeside Pavilion
Pelham, Alabama, just south of Birmingham - Race 4 of the 2020 Southeastern Trail Series
If you would like to receive a race shirt you must register on or before July 4th.
Registration at Ultrasignup.com
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Stay Hydrated during the HNH with Trailwind
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The HNH Preview Run was June 22nd, Presented by Resolute Running
Here is a short video from the preview run. Runners cooling off in Peavine Falls Gorge then climbing out.
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The Course: Not only will the course be significantly harder than previous races, it will be hot.
The 2020 course will be the same as the 2018 and '19 Course. If you did not run last year, you might want to join us for the preview run. The race will start at the Lakeside Pavilion. After a short run along the park road to spread things out runners will head up the Red Bike Trail. Follow the bike trail up Mr. Toad but do not continue up Johnson Mountain where the trail crosses the paved road. Cut down the road for a few hundred yards and turn left on the BUMP trail. Run up BUMP past Blood Rock. Just above Blood Rock, turn right onto the Green/Red Connector Trail, also known as the "Fire Pit Trail" which cuts over to the Peavine Falls Road. Cross the gravel road at the iron gate on the Peavine Falls road and continue up to the Green Trail at the ridge. Turn right on the green trail for a few hundred yards to the Peavine Falls parking lot. Cross the lot angling to the right to the Peavine Falls Pavilion. This will be the location of the Peavine Falls Aid Station. Runners will then do a "Blood Rock Preview" over the next two miles. Follow the trail past the aid station and down the mountain to lower Peavine Creek. Cross the creek and climb up steep trails past the PVF overlook to a trail dropping steeply down to the left into Peavine Gorge. There will be a rope set on the east side of Peavine Creek for the descent to the bottom of the gorge.
When you reach the creek you will find yourself well below the falls. If the water level is low, follow the creek staying on the rocks along the lower falls. Stay to the right side (east side) of the gorge. If water is high, use the trail higher up on the hill. Continue up the creek until signs direct you to cross to the left side of the creek and continue to the falls. This is a great place to cool down a bit by standing under the falls or just lay down in the pool below the falls. Cross Peavine Creek beneath the falls going from the left side to the right side (east side) and climb out of the Peavine Falls Gorge on rocky and technical terrain. Use caution here. The trail is wide but a fall could be potentially fatal. (Just stay away from the edge!) When your reach the top of the falls, follow the creek to the foot bridge and cross over to the intersection with the White Trail and turn right. Follow the white trail a short distance to the Green/White connector. Take a sharp left up the G/W Connector on the short but steep climb to the ridge crest. Turn right on the Green Trail. Follow the Green Trail along the ridge, then down the northwest side of the ridge to the Red bike road. Cross the gravel road and continue down the hill staying on the Green Trail. Follow Green all the way to the bottom of the mountain and turn left on the Green/Yellow connector. Follow signs and flags back to the start/finish at Lakeside Pavilion. Use caution crossing Peavine Falls Road.
ALL RUNNERS MUST CARRY WATER AT ALL TIMES DURING THE HOTTER 'N HELL TRAIL RACE.
To be allowed to start, runners must have some type of hydration during the race. It can be hand held water bottles, a hydration belt or pack. This is a very demanding race and no matter how well conditioned you are, you will become dehydrated if you don't carry water. It is impossible to drink enough water at the aid stations. You will also need to take electrolytes during the race. Tailwind is a great option for hydration and staying fueled. It has it all. Start the race with a bottle of tailwind and refill with Tailwind at every aid station stop. Last year's finish times in the 9 Mile ranged from 1.5 to over 3 hours. Double that for the 12 miles.
Awards:
First Place Male and Female winners in the 9 & 18 Mile will receive a Gift Certificate for a pair of On Trail Running Shoes.
9 Mile and 18 Mile Winners: Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall, Male and Female.
Group Awards: 9 & 18 mile - 1st Place Masters 40 - 49, Grand Master 50 - 59 and Ultra Grand Master 60+ Male and Female.
9 Mile Race: 1st Place 14 and under - male and female.
The 2020 course will be the same as the 2018 and '19 Course. If you did not run last year, you might want to join us for the preview run. The race will start at the Lakeside Pavilion. After a short run along the park road to spread things out runners will head up the Red Bike Trail. Follow the bike trail up Mr. Toad but do not continue up Johnson Mountain where the trail crosses the paved road. Cut down the road for a few hundred yards and turn left on the BUMP trail. Run up BUMP past Blood Rock. Just above Blood Rock, turn right onto the Green/Red Connector Trail, also known as the "Fire Pit Trail" which cuts over to the Peavine Falls Road. Cross the gravel road at the iron gate on the Peavine Falls road and continue up to the Green Trail at the ridge. Turn right on the green trail for a few hundred yards to the Peavine Falls parking lot. Cross the lot angling to the right to the Peavine Falls Pavilion. This will be the location of the Peavine Falls Aid Station. Runners will then do a "Blood Rock Preview" over the next two miles. Follow the trail past the aid station and down the mountain to lower Peavine Creek. Cross the creek and climb up steep trails past the PVF overlook to a trail dropping steeply down to the left into Peavine Gorge. There will be a rope set on the east side of Peavine Creek for the descent to the bottom of the gorge.
When you reach the creek you will find yourself well below the falls. If the water level is low, follow the creek staying on the rocks along the lower falls. Stay to the right side (east side) of the gorge. If water is high, use the trail higher up on the hill. Continue up the creek until signs direct you to cross to the left side of the creek and continue to the falls. This is a great place to cool down a bit by standing under the falls or just lay down in the pool below the falls. Cross Peavine Creek beneath the falls going from the left side to the right side (east side) and climb out of the Peavine Falls Gorge on rocky and technical terrain. Use caution here. The trail is wide but a fall could be potentially fatal. (Just stay away from the edge!) When your reach the top of the falls, follow the creek to the foot bridge and cross over to the intersection with the White Trail and turn right. Follow the white trail a short distance to the Green/White connector. Take a sharp left up the G/W Connector on the short but steep climb to the ridge crest. Turn right on the Green Trail. Follow the Green Trail along the ridge, then down the northwest side of the ridge to the Red bike road. Cross the gravel road and continue down the hill staying on the Green Trail. Follow Green all the way to the bottom of the mountain and turn left on the Green/Yellow connector. Follow signs and flags back to the start/finish at Lakeside Pavilion. Use caution crossing Peavine Falls Road.
ALL RUNNERS MUST CARRY WATER AT ALL TIMES DURING THE HOTTER 'N HELL TRAIL RACE.
To be allowed to start, runners must have some type of hydration during the race. It can be hand held water bottles, a hydration belt or pack. This is a very demanding race and no matter how well conditioned you are, you will become dehydrated if you don't carry water. It is impossible to drink enough water at the aid stations. You will also need to take electrolytes during the race. Tailwind is a great option for hydration and staying fueled. It has it all. Start the race with a bottle of tailwind and refill with Tailwind at every aid station stop. Last year's finish times in the 9 Mile ranged from 1.5 to over 3 hours. Double that for the 12 miles.
Awards:
First Place Male and Female winners in the 9 & 18 Mile will receive a Gift Certificate for a pair of On Trail Running Shoes.
9 Mile and 18 Mile Winners: Awards will be given to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall, Male and Female.
Group Awards: 9 & 18 mile - 1st Place Masters 40 - 49, Grand Master 50 - 59 and Ultra Grand Master 60+ Male and Female.
9 Mile Race: 1st Place 14 and under - male and female.
Saturday July 13 - 6:15 to 7:15 AM - Late Registration and Packet Pickup at the Lakeside Pavilion on Double Oak Lake, behind the large parking lot at the end of Terrace Drive. Here is a Google Maps Link from I-65 near I-459 to the Start at the Lakeside Pavilion.
Oak Mountain State Park charges $5 per person to enter the park. Please try to have exact change. Credit cards are not accepted.
Saturday, July 13 - 7:30 AM - Start of the 9 Mile and 18 Mile Race. The north gate doesn't open until 7:00 AM. You will need to enter at the south gate.
Oak Mountain State Park charges $5 per person to enter the park. Please try to have exact change. Credit cards are not accepted.
Saturday, July 13 - 7:30 AM - Start of the 9 Mile and 18 Mile Race. The north gate doesn't open until 7:00 AM. You will need to enter at the south gate.
Southeastern Trial Runs is sponsored by Tailwind Nutrition
Please go to their website and read about this product. Tailwind is the ideal drink for a race like the HNH. Tailwind contains all the electrolytes and carbs you will need to finish the race strong. Drink it like you would water. Drink some before the start and consume about 20 oz. per hour during the race, depending on your size. Follow this plan and you may be zapped at the end but you will finish strong.
Please go to their website and read about this product. Tailwind is the ideal drink for a race like the HNH. Tailwind contains all the electrolytes and carbs you will need to finish the race strong. Drink it like you would water. Drink some before the start and consume about 20 oz. per hour during the race, depending on your size. Follow this plan and you may be zapped at the end but you will finish strong.
The 2019 HNH Course Map, Profile and Start Area
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Directions to the Start:
From Hwy 280 - The North Entrance: If you are not preregistered and come in the north gate you may miss the start. The gate opens at 7:00 AM. The race starts at 7:30. Turn off of Hwy 280 heading west on Hwy 119, Cahaba Valley Rd. Drive 3.2 miles to the Oak Mountain State Park entrance at Oak Mountain Lake Rd. The OMSP sign is on our right where you turn off Hwy 119. It is small and easy to miss. Turn left at the Pay Booth onto John Findley Dr. and Follow the park road 4.4 miles to Tranquility Rd on your left. (Just past the 4 mile post.) The Redbud Pavilion is the first pavilion on your right. Map from Hwy 280. Total distance from Hwy 280 is 7.7 miles.
From I 65 the South Entrance: take Hwy 119 (Cahaba Valley Rd) exit off Interstate 65. Turn right on Hwy 119 for about 100 ft get in the left turn lane. Turn left at the intersection with State Park Rd and drive 1.9 miles to the intersection with John Findley Dr. and turn left into the park. Drive 4.3 miles to the right turn into Tranquility Rd. (Just before the 4 mile post.) The Red Bud Pavilion is the first pavilion on your right. Map from I-65 at Hwy 119. Total distance from I-65, 6.4 miles. There will be large "Race Banners with directional arrows leading the way. Just follow them.
From Hwy 280 - The North Entrance: If you are not preregistered and come in the north gate you may miss the start. The gate opens at 7:00 AM. The race starts at 7:30. Turn off of Hwy 280 heading west on Hwy 119, Cahaba Valley Rd. Drive 3.2 miles to the Oak Mountain State Park entrance at Oak Mountain Lake Rd. The OMSP sign is on our right where you turn off Hwy 119. It is small and easy to miss. Turn left at the Pay Booth onto John Findley Dr. and Follow the park road 4.4 miles to Tranquility Rd on your left. (Just past the 4 mile post.) The Redbud Pavilion is the first pavilion on your right. Map from Hwy 280. Total distance from Hwy 280 is 7.7 miles.
From I 65 the South Entrance: take Hwy 119 (Cahaba Valley Rd) exit off Interstate 65. Turn right on Hwy 119 for about 100 ft get in the left turn lane. Turn left at the intersection with State Park Rd and drive 1.9 miles to the intersection with John Findley Dr. and turn left into the park. Drive 4.3 miles to the right turn into Tranquility Rd. (Just before the 4 mile post.) The Red Bud Pavilion is the first pavilion on your right. Map from I-65 at Hwy 119. Total distance from I-65, 6.4 miles. There will be large "Race Banners with directional arrows leading the way. Just follow them.
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The race shirts for the 2019 Hotter 'N Hell Trail Race Shirt Cutoff is July 1st - Don't wait!
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The light gray singlet is the women's shirt
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The yellow shirt is the men's shirt
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Video of the 2018 HNH Trail Race
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Fun video from the 2017 Southeastern Trail Runs Hotter 'N Hell Trail Race by MRuns. Thank you so much Suman Silwal. Click on the image to see the video on MRuns.com's Facebook Page.
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Photos of the 2017 Hotter 'N Hell Race by MRuns - 694 race pictures.
MRuns (Marathon Runs) photos from the 2017 Hotter 'N Hell Trial Race
2016 Hotter 'N Hell Start
Pictures by MRuns - View the full album by clicking on the photo. |
Pictures of the 2017 Hotter 'N Hell Trail Race by Debra Levine-McKenzie. The photos are in Dropbox.
2016 Photos by Debra McKenzie
Click on the picture to view the album. 
2016 Photos by
Marye Jo Tosch Click on the image to view the album on FB |
Recommended Lodging and Camping
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 Southeastern Trail Runs not under the name of the race. Link to Google Maps from the Holiday Inn to Lakeside Pavilion.
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. (Cabins are about 2 miles from the start.)
Camping in the park: Oak Mountain State Park Camping (Four miles from the start)
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. (Cabins are about 2 miles from the start.)
Camping in the park: Oak Mountain State Park Camping (Four miles from the start)
Please support all our 2019 Southeastern Trail Runs Sponsors
Contact Southeastern Trail Runs:
STR
220 Normandy Ln
Chelsea, AL 35043
Email - Southeastern Trail Runs
STR
220 Normandy Ln
Chelsea, AL 35043
Email - Southeastern Trail Runs