SOUTHEASTERN TRAIL RUNS
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Registration for the 2021 Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 

 Registration for the 2021 Lake Martin 100 is now open

Register for the 2021 Lake Martin 100 or 50 Mile Endurance Races or the 27 Mile Fun Run
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2021 Race Will Be March 20th & 21st
Start time is 6:30 AM - at the Cabin

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Course Description
Cabin & Race Start Details
Heaven Hill Aid Station
27 Mile Finish
Pace Chart & Cutoffs
Download a GPX File of the Lake Martin Course - It is Reasonably Accurate

COVID Guidelines for the 2020 Lake Martin Races

Download the COVID Guidelines for the 2021 Lake Martin Races
Register at Ultrasignup.com
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Reserve a Room at Harbor Lodge

Please Note: Registration closes on Ultrasignup on Monday, March 15th. You must register before March 16th to enter!
​There is not late registration at Friday Packet Pickup or before the race start Saturday morning.


About the Lake Martin 100, 50 and 27 Mile Endurance Race

The Lake Martin 100 is a beautiful course that follows miles of Lake Martin shoreline and creeks flowing into the lake. The course is 100% on the private lands of the Russell Forest Trial System. The trail system is over 25,000 acres of some of the most beautiful land in the southeast. The only paved roads you will see are a few cabin roads you will cross. Most runners will never see a car on any of these roads during the race.

The Lake Martin 100 was designed from the ground up to be the perfect step-up from a 50K to a 50 mile or from a 50 mile to your first 100 mile trail race. Our goal is your success. We promise to do everything in our power to help you accomplish your ultra goal, whether that goal is to run your first ultra, the 27 Mile Fun Run, or to break 21 hours in the 100. We also pledge to make your race experience Fun! The race will be hard. All those beautiful hills become steeper and longer with each successive lap. Those gentle carriage paths become very long about mile 80. But if you have put in enough training miles, we will encourage you, push you, help you, and even yell at you if necessary, to get you to the end. We might even let you rest occasionally. If you are ready, you can do it.

Each 25 Mile loop is 75% Single Track and 5% Double Track Carriage Paths/Trails. There are about 4 1/2 miles of gravel roads, all but 800 yards by the Adamson Road Trailhead do not allow any automobile traffic. A little less than 1/2 mile is on a paved walking path leading to and from the Cabin Aid Station. There are NO sections on Paved Roads.

The course layout makes race planning extremely easy. It also makes things very simple for you crew. There are only two physical aid stations in the Lake Martin 100 or 50 or 27. There is the Start/Finish aid station at the Cabin and there is Heaven Hill. The two aid stations are only 3 miles apart by car. Runners stop at each aid station 4 times per 25 Mile Loop. The aid stations ranging from 5 miles to 7 miles apart by trail.  That adds up to 18 "Full Service" aid station stops in the 100. The course looks line three "0s" side by side. Where the "0s" touch is where the aid stations are located. (The course looks like this, 0+0+0 with the aid stations located at the "+s" - See the diagram below.) There are also three major trailheads within 5 miles of the Cabin that your crew can easily reach in minutes. It just doesn't get any easier than that.


For experienced 100 mile runners the lake Martin 100 is no “Walk in the Park.” My Suunto Ambit 3 Vertical GPS watch shows 14,128 feet of elevation gain. Probably the true elevation gain is something over 13,000 but the course is very hilly. There are virtually no trails that could be called flat. There are also no big climbs. Almost all of the hills range from 50 to 100 feet in height, but those small hills are relentless. If you alternate walking and running, you will not need to time the cycles. The Lake Martin 100 Official Cutoff is 32 Hours. The 50 Mile and 27 Mile Cutoffs are16 Hours. Actually, we don't enforce any cutoffs at the Lake Martin 100. If it takes you 20 hours to finish the 50 mile, you are a finisher. Same with the 27 Mile. Also, if you register for the 100 or 50 and have to drop down, you are still a finisher if you cover at least 27 miles. (Exception, You MUST be off the trails before sunset Sunday. That's a Russell Land's Rule)

Non-Technical Defined: I describe the Lake Martin trails as non-technical. If you regularly run ultras on single track trails, at least in the Southeast, you will agree the LM100 trails are non-technical. If you're a road runner or only run on trails groomed by machines, you may not agree. Some Russell Forest Trails have lots of small rocks about the size of your fist. There are also roots on all the single-track trails. You simply have to pay attention where you step. I was a "roadie" for 35 years. For a roadrunner, it's like running down an old sidewalk with a few crack, holes and uneven blocks. You just have to "Watch where you step."
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Start and Finish Location: The race starts at the Cabin, Located in Russell Crossroads. This is also the location of the Cabin Aid Station:
Address: Russell Crossroads, 288 Stables Loop, Alexander City, AL 35010. GPS coordinates are: 32.763937, -85.945281

A Very Simplified Version of the 25 Mile loops of the Lake Martin 100


The Russell Forest Trail System

​Use of the Russell Forest Trial System is Free to all runners and hikers. Stop by the Information office at Russell Crossroads (Just about 100 yards south of Katherine's Market) as fill out a Russell Lands Usage agreement. You will be given an annual pass. The only requirement to use the trails is, call Russell Land's Security when you start your run and let them know where you are parked and how long you plan to be on the trails. When you finish your run, call security again to let them know you are leaving. Get the Russell Lands Trail App before you start if you don't know the trails. There is good cell reception everywhere in the area. The trails can be a bit confusing so the app will help. Trail maps are also available at trailheads and at the information center.

​Russell Lands Trails App. Know where you are at all times. It's Free!

Russell Lands Trails App
The Russell Lands mobile app is your official guide to Russell Lands on Lake Martin, all at your fingertips. Explore over 100 miles of Russell Forest trails. Locate yourself on the trail map. Share your location or see your friends' locations on the trail map. Record your treks and the distances you travel. Display your treks and replay them on the trail map. Email images to friends, post them to Facebook and other social media, or view them in Google Earth. Keep up-to-date with Russell Lands events, and easily locate and contact restaurants with the built in directory.

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Tailwind is a sponsor of all Southeastern Trail Runs Races and is provided at all aid stations in the Lake Martin 100.

Lots of photos and a video of the Lake Martin Course from the 2020 preview run.

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Photos from the 2020 LM100 preview run by Southeastern Trail Runs and MRuns.
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2020 LM 100 Preview Run Video
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Photos from MRuns

Map of the Harbor Lodge area
Packet Pickup and Meeting Location, coming from Russell Crossroads.
Turn in 0.4 mile past Kowaliga Bridge at the second Children's Harbor entrance. Enter and take an immediate right. Park anywhere you can find a place. Harbor lodge is located just 3 Miles from the LM100 Start.
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The 2021 Lake Martin 100 Runners Manual
Please take a few minutes to look over the Runners Manual and COVID Guidelines. The information in the manual is important. It just might make the difference between finishing and a DNF!​
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The 2021 Runners Manual in PDF Format.

Lodging for the Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 at Harbor Lodge
DO NOT Contact Children's Harbor directly.
​All rooms must be reserved through Southeastern Trail Runs

Harbor Lodge Reservations

Children's Harbor is the location of the iconic Lighthouse on Lake Martin 100 Buckles and Shirts. It is also a camp built and donated by Ben and Luanne Russell to provide special services to kids with serious illnesses. Children's Harbor is the location of Camp Smile-A-Mile,  Alabama's camp for Kids with cancer , one of 20 organizations that use the camp. Smile-A-Mile is the recipient of the money raised from the first race Southeastern Trial Runs created in 2011, the Run for Kids Challenge. To date RFK has raised over $70,000.

We offer a pre-race dinner Friday night immediately after the briefing, and breakfast Saturday morning at Harbor Lodge before the race. 

Packet Pickup and Lodge Room Check-in will start at 1:00 PM Friday. This year, the briefing will be before dinner, starting at 5:00 PM. Dinner will be served immediately after the briefing. The price of dinner is $13 per person and is catered by Logan Cook, a professional caterer and ultra trail runner. As soon as everyone is settled for dinner we will have a short pre-race briefing. The meeting is highly recommended but not required. Logan will also be preparing breakfast for runners starting at about 4:00 AM at Harbor Lodge dining room. Same location as dinner Friday night. The price of the breakfast is $6.

Other lodging near Russell Crossroads:

Lodging in Alexander City - 12 to 14 Miles
Wind Creek State Park - Cabins and Camping - 9 Miles

PictureRegister now at Ultrasignup.com

     Registration closes Tuesday, March 16th. There is no late registration.
     
Shirt Cutoff is March 7th.


Getting to the Lake Martin 100 start at the Cabin at Russell Crossroads:
The Lake Martin in run on the Private Lands of the Russell Forest Trail System at Starts at Russell Crossroads, 10 miles south of Alexander City, Alabama, in east-central Alabama. The closet airport is in Montgomery, Alabama, 49 miles southwest of Lake Martin. Birmingham's Shuttlesworth Airport is 89 miles to the northwest. Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson airport is 137 miles east northeast.

Atlanta Int. Airport to LM 100 Start
Birmingham Int. Airport to LM 100 Start
Montgomery Airport to LM 100 Start


 This is a "Relive" video of one 25 Mile Loop of the Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 course.
Click on the image below to see the video of the 2019 Lake Martin 100
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The 2019 Lake Martin 100 and 50 Mile Endurance Run and the 27 Mile Fun Run

The 2019 Lake Martin 100 Preview Run:

View the 2018 Lake Martin 100 Video on YouTube.
Go to the YouTube Video - 2019 Lake Martin Preview Run
View over 500 race photos from 2018 Lake Martin on UltraRuns Facebook Page
More photos from 2019 and earlier races

The Lake Martin 100 and 50 Mile Course Details

Get the Russell Lands Trails App. Know where you are at all times
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The Lake Martin 100 Course, 25 Mile Loop on the Russell Lands Map.
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Terrain Map of the Lake Martin 100 Course.
Lake Martin 100 - 25 Mile Loop - Course Description
Heaven Hill Aid Station - what you need to know
The 27 Mile Fun Run - Final Two Mile Loop
The Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 Start
Lake Martin 50 & 100 Mile Pace Chart and Cutoffs
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Elevation Profile of the Lake Martin 100 Course - 25 Mile loop. The Profile is color coded to the Russell Lands Map above.

Race Weekend Schedule

(There will be NO Late Registration Friday or Saturday before the race.)

Friday, March 19th - 1:00 PM. to 5:00 PM - Package Pickup and Harbor Lodge Room Check-in for all races will be Friday afternoon at the Harbor Lodge meeting center at Children's Harbor. When you pick up your packet you will be required to sign a release form for Russell Land's. We will accept drop bags for 50 and 100 mile races for the Heaven Hill Aid Station ONLY, during package pickup. Be sure your bags are properly labeled with Name, Bib # and Aid Station. My white Ford F150 truck "Should" be in front of the meeting hall at Harbor Lodge. Place the dropbags for Heaven Hill in the back. If my truck is not there, there will be a sign telling you where to leave them. DO NOT leave "Cabin Aid Station" dropbags at Harbor Lodge!! Bring them to the start Saturday morning.

*** You MUST have a government issue photo ID to pick up your race packet and bib. You may not have someone pick up your race packet for you. You can pick up your bib Friday or Saturday morning before the race. ***

50 Mile Runners, When you go through Heaven Hill AS the 4th time, (second time on lap 2) tell the AS crew you will not be back and ask them to place you bag with the 50 mile bags to return to the cabin. We will get them back as soon as possible.

Drop bags for the Cabin Aid Station should be taken to the start Saturday morning. If you arrive early, you can park close to the cabin along the road. You are welcome to use your car as you aid station. Your crew is welcome to set up personal aid stations along the gravel road or in the field across from the cabin. We will not accept dropbags for Heaven Hill from 27 mile runners but you may leave a bag at the cabin. Here are the GPS Coordinates for the meeting center at Harbor Lodge:
32.730519, -85.968550
And a link on ​Google Map to the Meeting Center at Children's Harbor from Russell Crossroads.
GPS Coordinates for The Cabin at Russell Crossroads: 32.763928, -85.945330 - Link to Google Maps Cabin Start Location.
Friday, March 19th - 5:00 PM - We will have a short pre-race briefing at the south end of the dining hall, near the covered section of the drive. The meeting is recommended but not mandatory. Immediately following the briefing we will serve dinner in the Harbor Lodge dining room at Children's Harbor. The meal will be catered by Logan Cook who provides food for all Southeastern Trail Runs races. The meal will be hot, Chipotle style Mexican Dinner with several options including vegetarian fare. 
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Saturday, March 20th - 4:30 to 5:15 AM - Breakfast at Harbor Lodge - Hot breakfast will be prepared by Logan for all runners and crew staying at the Lodge. The price is $6 per person. We need to know by March 15th if you will be having breakfast with us at the Loge.

Saturday, March 20th - 5:00 to 6:15 AM - No race day registration. Race packets for the 100, 50 and 27 mile races may be picked up Saturday Morning at the Cabin Start area. If you arrive later than 6:15 AM you may not be able to get your race packet until after the race starts. Your start may be delayed as much as 15 minutes so please arrive early. 100 mile and 50 mile runners may bring all drop bags to the start Saturday Morning. If you wish to send a drop bag to Heaven Hill aid station, please have it there by 6:15 AM and place it in the back of my White F150 pickup or at a designated location. 27 mile runners may only have a drop bag at the Cabin start.

Saturday, March 20th - 6:30 AM - Start of the 100, 50 and 27 mile races. (Sunrise - 6:49 AM - Sunset - 6:54 PM) If you expect to take more than 11 hours to run the 50 you should have a flashlight or headlamp with you or have one in your drop bag at the Cabin.

Sunday, March 21st - 12:30 AM - 50 Mile and 27 mile races will end. (18 hour cutoff)

Sunday, March 21st - 2:30 PM - Race course will officially close. (32 hour time limit) There will be mandatory cutoffs in place at the start finish area at the start of the third and fourth laps of the 100. The cutoff will be very generous. Awards will be presented as runners finish. 100 mile runners are not required to stop at the 32 hour cutoff. As long as you can make it back to the Cabin before sunset you may continue running. We are required to dismantle and clean up the star/finish area so everything may be gone when you finish. You are still a 100 mile finisher and receive a Lake Martin 100 Buckle. If you think you may need more than 33 hours to finish you need to have crew members to stay at the Cabin until you make it back.

Please reviews Southeastern Trail Runs Race Rules before the race:

Southeastern Trail Runs - Rules of the Game

COVID GUIDELINES for the 2021 Lake Martin 100 races

​​COVID GUIDELINES for the Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 Mile Trail Race.
The State of Alabama and the Alabama Parks Department has approved procedures for races such as Tranquility Lake Trail Race. We are required to follow these guidelines. Please read these guidelines so you are familiar with the procedures we must follow.
Please Understand: WE DO NOT guarantee that you will not “come in contact with” someone with COVID-19 or that will NOT contract COVID-19 as the result of running the Tranquility Lake Trail Race. We will ask that you follow the guidelines established with, and approved by, the State of Alabama to minimize your risk. Use common sense. If you are concerned with your safety, don’t run!
Specific Guidelines for the 2021 Lake Martin Trail Races.
There is no Late Registration - Registration Closes on Ultrasignup, Monday, March 15th.
 
Packet Pickup, Prerace Briefing and Meal, and Key Pickup for cabins at Harbor Lodge.
A. We will open packet pickup at 2:00 PM at the meeting center at Harbor Lodge.
B. The race briefing will be at about 5:00 PM, prior to the prerace dinner.
C. Cabin keys may be picked up at the same time as packet pickup.
D. Wear a mask at all times while in close proximity to others at packet pickup, the briefing and meal.
E. Wear your mask properly. It must cover your mouth and nose.
 
Procedure for Race Packet and Cabin Key Pickup: Be patient. This will likely take longer than usual.
1. Enter the Meeting Center from the north end. (Side toward the Lighthouse and Kowaliga Bridge.) Follow the arrows.
2. Wear a mask and Maintain Social Distancing.
3. Packet Pickup will be in the Dining Room.
4. After getting your race packet, leave through the front door (Toward the lake) and go right, along the covered walkway about 20 ft. Turn right through the hallway and exit behind the building. (Follow the Arrows!)
5. If you have reserved a Cabin, Key’s will be picked up when you get your race packet. Linens and towels will already be in the rooms.
6. Do not congregate around or in the meeting center after getting your race packet.
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Procedures for Packet Pickup and Lodge Room Check-in.
Prerace Briefing:
1. The briefing will be at 5:00 PM and very short. (The Briefing is NOT MANDITORY!)
2. We will setup under the covered drive or on the small stage just across the drive.
3. We will use a sound system so it will not be necessary to crowd up close.
4. Wear a mask and use social distancing.
5. If you do not have a mask, stay to the outside of the group and at least 6 feet from everyone.
 
Prerace Meal: Lining up for dinner will be exactly the same procedure as packet pickup
1. Line up along the covered walkway and enter the Dining Room through the north doors.
2. Food will be served on the tables in front of the doors leading to the kitchen.
3. After receiving your food, leaving the meeting center with your food.
4. Eat outside, in your room or in your car.
5. We will have a few tables setup in the center.

Race Procedures  **** You MUST read this section****
1. We will require all runners to wear a mask and maintain "Social Distancing" at the start.
2. Bib numbers are assigned based on Ultrasignup Ranking within your bib #group. If you are not ranked you will receive a higher number bib.
3. Position yourself at the start based on your bib # and your speed.
4. If you have a high bib number and you are fast, start at or near the front. The point is to minimize passing on the trails.
5. Use social distancing at the start
6. Wear a MASK at the start. You may take it off immediately after the start.
7. 10 minutes before race start, come up near the Cabin for a short briefing.
This briefing will be the same as Friday Night’s briefing. If you heard it Friday, please stay away Saturday. (Wear a Mask and Maintain Social Distancing during the briefing.)
8. Everyone should line up on the road in front of the Cabin, one to two minutes before the start.
9. Runners will not pass through the arch at the start.
10. All the races are all “very” long. You may spread out down the gravel road as far as you like. There is just no rush!
11. This year, to avoid crowding at the start, we will not follow walkway that cuts through the woods across from Catherine’s Market. Runners will stay on the road, past Catherine’s and turn right onto the gravel road heading downhill , just past the Discovery Center. Be careful running across the cobblestones in front of Catherine’s. On all successive laps, runners will use the paved walking path.
12. If you are NOT wearing a mast, line up to the outside or back of the starting field. Stay 6 feet away from all runners at the start.

Running the Race on Single Track Trails
1. Everyone will be passing or being passed all during the race. 
2. If you need to pass a slower runner, please ask the person in front to allow you to pass. 
3. If a runner comes up behind you, ask if they would like to pass. 
4. The person being overtaken should step off the trail to allow the faster runner to pass.
5. Be courteous and safe.
(If you are in a race for the lead, forget the rules and race!)

Running on double track trails (Carriage Paths) and Gravel Roads.
1. Stay to one side so faster runners can pass.
2. Do not run in groups blocking the trail preventing faster runners from passing at a safe distance.

Aid Station   ****Must Read*****
1. Your best and safest option for the is Cabin Aid Station is to bring your own food and drink. 
2. Set up a personal Aid Station along the course near the Cabin, or just use your car as an aid station.
3. DO NOT use the cabin or the porch of the cabin for your aid station.
4. This year, Cabin Dropbags will not be allowed on the porch of the Cabin.
5. We will have a popup tent near the cabin if you need to leave a bag under it.

Aid Station Procedures
1. Please use had sanitizer when you first enter the aid stations.
2. We will have food and water on a table in front of aid station volunteers.
3. Food will be prepackaged, in cups, or in zip-lock baggies.
4. Take one container or package (or 2 or 3 if you wish. Take what you need.)
5. If the container has more than you want, throw away what you don’t eat.
(DO NOT put any unused food or food containers back on the table.)
6. Water, Tailwind, Cokes and Mountain Dew will be in cups on the table for you to drink or fill you own bottle or hydration pack.
7. Do not hand your bottle or hydration pack to a volunteer. They are not allowed to handle them.
8. Hold out your hydration pack or bottle for volunteers to fill.
9. IF volunteers are busy, you my fill your own bottle from the water or Tailwind coolers on the table.
10. *** DO NOT place your used cup or food container back on the table. ***
11. All aid station volunteers will be wearing masks and gloves.
 
Pacers
1. Pacers must follow the same procedures as those listed above for runners.
2. Pacers must sign a Russell Lands Release before pacing.
3. Pacers may fill out the release form in advance at packet pickup or at the aid station before heading out to pace.
4. Wear a mask if you are filling out the release at the aid station.
5. Wear your mask anytime you approach the aid stations.
6. As soon as you start running, you may remove the mask.
 
Crew Guidelines
1. Anytime your crew approaches the aid stations, other runners, or other crews, they must wear a mask.
2. If your crew sets up a personal aid station near the personal aid stations of other runners, they must wear a mask while near those other crews.
3. If you setup your personal aid station away from other and someone sets up close to you, please put on your mask.
4. Just use common sense and be courteous! 

The Cookout to Follow
We will be preparing food for all runners after all races. As of right now, we do not know exactly where food preparation will be located. If outside, the area around the grills will be cordoned off. You must wear a mask and maintain social distancing while ordering food.
1. If necessary, form a line outside cordoned off area to order food.
2. A volunteer will take your order and put the food on a plate.
3. Tell the volunteer what you need, how much, condiments needed, and silverware.
4. The plate will be placed on the table for you to pick up. 
5. Drinks will be in coolers within the cordoned off area. Ask for what you need.
6. Maintain the 6 foot social distance guidelines.
7. The cabin is small. This year, we will not be able to allow runners to enter the cabins.
8. For safety we suggest taking your food outside or to your car.
9. IF you do not have a mask, go to the side of the cordoned off area and wait to be helped. DO NOT get in the line without a mask.

View photos and results of the 2020 Lake Martin Virtual Races

Results of the 2020 Virtual Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27
Photos from the 2020 Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 Virtual Race

Southeastern Trail Runs 2020 Sponsors

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  • home
  • 2021 Race Schedule
  • Our Mission
  • The Trail Series
  • Points Championship
  • Upcoming Races
    • Lake Martin 100 >
      • Harbor Lodge Reservations
      • Lake Martin 100 Start
      • Course Description
      • Heaven Hill Aid Station
      • Pace Chart
      • 27 Mile Finish
      • Lake Martin 100 Photos and Videos
    • Tranquility 3 & 6 MIle Trail Race
    • Run for Kids Challenge
    • Chelsea to Children's Harbor 100
    • Memorial Day Trail Race
    • Run Forest Run 717 Virtual >
      • How to Record Miles on Ultrasignup
      • Forest Gump Truth and Legend
    • Hotter 'N Hell Trail Race
    • Ridge to Blazing Ridge
    • Endless Mile >
      • Relay Registration
      • USATF Rules - To Set Records
    • BOO Run for Down Syndrome
    • Blood Rock Races >
      • Blood Rock 100 & 50 >
        • Blood Rock 100-50 Course Description
      • Blood Rock 55K & 25K >
        • 25-55K Course Description
      • Blood Rock Photos
  • More
    • Rules of the Game
    • Run Your First Ultra 2019 - New Posts
    • Run Your First Ultra Blog - Older Posts
    • Printable Registration Form