Lake Martin 50/50

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Drop Bags

For 50-Mile Runners Only

1. May have ONE drop bag at Heaven Hill Aid Station

2. Drop bag specifications:

   • No larger than 12" × 16" × 24"

   • NO garbage bags (may be mistaken for trash)

   • NO Styrofoam coolers, ice chests, or large tubs

   • Must be labeled with: Bib # and Full Name

3. Drop bags will be transported to Heaven Hill by race staff

4. Pickup: Return drop bags to start/finish as soon as possible, but 50-milers may need to travel to Heaven Hill to retrieve their bag

For All Runners (50K & 50-Miler)

1. May have drop bags at Cabin Start/Finish

2. Cabin drop bags can be:

   • Left with Race Staff

   • Left in your car (personal aid station)

   • Any size acceptable

   • Must be properly labeled if left at Cabin

Important Notes:

• Race staff CANNOT send left-behind drop bags to you after the race

• If unclaimed, bags will be donated

• 50K runners: No Heaven Hill drop bags accepted

Changing Distance

• Runners may change distance any time before race day or during the race

• If moving UP in distance: pay the difference in registration fees

• If moving DOWN in distance: no refund

• Eligibility Impact:

  • Change before race day → eligible for place and age group awards

  • Change race morning or during race → official finisher and finisher award ONLY (no place/age group awards)

Pacers

• Runners under 70 years old: Pacers NOT allowed

• Runners 70 years or older: May have a pacer for the entire race

Rules

1. No Complaining! You chose to run an ultra—get it done

2. No Littering (on private Russell Lands—disqualification offense)

3. Be Courteous to other trail users (hikers, possibly mountain bikers, horseback riders; horses normally have right-of-way, but runners do during race weekend)

4. Do Not Stash Supplies on trails; use aid stations

5. Thank Aid Station Volunteers for their time and effort

6. Have Fun! Enjoy the experience and beauty of Lake Martin

7. Complaints: Find Race Director (do not complain to volunteers)

8. Race Director Decisions: Final on all matters; Aid Station Captains can act as on-location RDs

9. Stay on Course: No cutting course, bushwhacking, or swimming sections. Course is very well marked. YOU are responsible for staying on marked trails. Failure to run the marked course = not a finisher

10. No Vehicle/Bicycle/Runner Assistance: Must complete course on foot with no assistance from vehicles, bicycles, or other runners

11. Headphones: Acceptable on trails, but remove when approaching aid stations

12. Road Crossings: Course has no road sections but crosses cabin roads several times each lap—be cautious, especially on paved roads

13. Young Children: NOT ALLOWED in aid station tents (safety hazard due to busy volunteer activity)

14. Medical Assistance: If you require IV or oxygen (including gas station oxygen) at any point, your race is over and you will be disqualified

15. Medical Decisions: If medical personnel determine you cannot safely continue, you must stop immediately. Aid Station Captains and Medical Staff decisions are final—do not argue

16. Dogs: NOT allowed to run with any runner or pacer at any time—no exceptions

17. Pets: NOT allowed in any aid station tent. If your crew has a pet, it MUST stay out of the aid station

Crew Rules & Guidelines

Do You Need a Crew?

• Not necessary to have a crew or pacers; some runners prefer running solo

• A crew can make your race easier and faster (or slower, depending)

• Crew motivation at aid stations can be valuable; also helpful if you DNF

Crew Responsibilities

1. Aid Stations are for Runners and Pacers ONLY—bring your own supplies, snacks, and food

2. Crew may NOT enter aid station tent when runner is not present

3. Crew may get runner's drop bag before runner arrives (bags are away from aid station)

4. May get food/drink from aid station while runner is there (know the runner's bib #)

5. DO NOT argue with any race official or aid station worker (could get runner disqualified)

6. Must abide by whatever race officials/aid station captains direct

7. Crew members may NOT drive to Heaven Hill—park at Adamson Road Trailhead and walk to aid station

8. Park ONLY in designated Lake Martin 100 parking areas around Cabin (see map)

9. Do NOT park near Catherine's Market

10. Be courteous to everyone encountered on Russell Lands (Russells may be around)

11. DO NOT LITTER (disqualification!)

12. Do not play loud music

13. Aid station supplies are for runners & pacers ONLY—crew may NOT take anything from aid stations

14. After runner finishes, crew welcome to join at post-race food and beverages at Cabin

Parking for Crew

• Limited parking at trailheads and start/finish area

• Designated crew parking areas near Cabin

• Display "Crew" parking permit on dashboard at all times

• If trailhead parking is full, park along gravel road shoulders (pull far right, don't block access)

• Be courteous to horse trailers; leave plenty of room

• Carpool to trailheads when possible

Date Change or Cancellation Policy

Southeastern Trail Runs reserves the right to CHANGE or CANCEL the race due to:

• Acts of God, Pandemics, Other extreme conditions (fire danger, landslides, flooding)

• Russell Lands-required changes

If Race Date Changed:

• All registered runners automatically moved to new date

• If unable to run new date: request transfer to next year OR refund (only if change occurs 60+ days before race)

• No refunds if change occurs within 30 days of race

If Race Cancelled:

• All registered runners rolled over to next year's Lake Martin Race

• If unable to run following year: request refund (only if cancellation occurs 60+ days before race)

• No refunds if cancellation occurs within 30 days of race

Course Scouting

• Every part of the course is easily accessible from trailheads

• Arrive a day or two early to scout sections

• Course description, images, and profiles available on website

• Basic knowledge of the course recommended (carry a map/phone with you during race)

Training Recommendations

• Lake Martin is a relatively safe, easy course compared to many 50-mile races

• No qualification requirements

• Your responsibility: Physical and mental preparation

• Recommended resources:

  • Hal Koerner's "Field Guide to Ultrarunning"

  • "I Run Far" (online ultrarunning content)

  • Race Director's Blog: "Run Your First Ultra"

Water & Hydration

• MUST carry water from start to first aid station (7.26 miles to Heaven Hill—takes longer than expected)

• First aid station is a very long initial stretch

• Water is essential for this section

DNF Protocol

• If you DNF, must notify aid station captain or race official at an aid station

• Never just leave the course

• Call crew to pick you up at trailhead

Trail-Specific Notes

• Trail follows Lake Martin shoreline in sections

• Trail follows small creeks draining into the lake

• Watch for deer on course

• Russell Forest Trail System is on private land owned by Russell Lands/Russell Family

• Strictly follow all Russell Lands rules (no fires except in Cabin fireplace or propane pits at Heaven Hill/Cabin)

• We are guests on private land—maintain good stewardship

• Trail access is a privilege, not a right

Race Cutoffs & Time Limits

• 16-hour maximum cutoff at 10:30 PM

• Cutoff times will be enforced with exception

• Do not argue with race officials about cutoffs

• Cutoffs are set so missing one makes finishing under 16-hour limit impossible

• Trails must be clear by sunset; allowed to continue until 10:30 PM only

Timing System

• RFID Chip Timing: Each runner will receive a timing chip at packet pickup

• Timing Mats: Located under inflatable arch at Cabin aid station

• MUST run under arch to record lap completion:

• Order of crossing mat vs. stopping at aid station doesn't matter (1-hour delay built into system between reads)

• Check timing monitor by timing tent to verify lap recorded properly

 Route Finding

The Lake Martin 100 is not an Orienteering Adventure. It is a race, and our goal is for you to be able to concentrate on racing and not worry about getting off course. That said, runners still must stay focused and pay attention to course marking. The entire course is marked with 4 X 5 Blue Flags. Virtually all of the flags will have DOT reflective tape attached to the flag to make it more visible for 200 to 00 yards away at night. In some areas these reflective flags will be line-of-sight. We also use small signs, with arrows and DOT reflective tap at critical points on the course where runners could easily make a wrong turn.  If you pay attention you will not miss a turn.

There is always the possibility that something will happen to a few flags or signs. A bike or carriage might knock some down or a child might pull a few up. It’s a good idea to have a basic knowledge of the course and carry a map with you during the race, especially the first couple of laps. 

Below are Examples of Southeastern Trail Runs Trail Marking