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How to Run Your First Ultra
By David Tosch

2017 Lake Martin 100 - It Just Gets Better

6/24/2017

1 Comment

 
I never cease to be amazed and inspired by our runners, whether it’s the Lake Martin 100, The Endless Mile or our newest race, the Blood Rock 100. That’s what makes putting on these events worthwhile. Over the 5 years of Lake Martin races we have had some amazing accomplishments and almost super-human performances, including a woman that had never run further than a 10K in her life who finished the LM 50 Mile in 2013. In 2014, an 18 year old young man that had never run more than a 50K, finished the 100. This year’s Lake martin 100 was no exception.

2017 was the 4th annual Lake Martin 100 Mile Trail Race and 5th annual LM50 Mile and 27 Mile Fun Run. For the first time our finish rate in the 100 went over 50% with 42 of 75 starters completing the 100 miles. The course is beautiful, following small creeks for miles and some sections along the shores of the lake. The race is entirely on the private lands of the 20,000 + acres of the Russell Forest Trail System. The course is about 85% single track trails and 15% Carriage Paths and gravel roads that do not allow cars. The only paved section is a short paved trail leading to and from the Cabin Aid Station. There is absolutely nothing technical anywhere, at least by Alabama standards. What it does have are hills, Lots of hills! They are all small, with only a few exceeding 100 ft. in height and even fewer could be considered steep. But those hills never stop. Quoting Karl Meltzer, “the hills are RELENTLESS!” All those little hills add up to about 13,000 ft. of elevation gain.

This year we had the best weather yet with a little light rain falling at the start. The rain ended before noon and the rest of the race was dry and cool. The good weather contributed, but I think the primarily reason for our high finish rate was that so many of our runners had run one of the Lake Martin races before and knew how deceptive the course can be. We also spent a little time at the prerace meeting reminding runners to go much slower on that first lap than they feel like they need to.

This year we had 235 starters in all three races. We still had a lot of runners drop down to a shorter distance but that’s fine with us. If you enter the 100 but only make 50 miles, you did run 50 miles after all, and you are still a 50 Mile finisher. This is true in all Southeastern Trail Runs race. We reward runners for he miles covered. Due to the easy access to virtually any point on the course, we have no qualifying requirements to run any distance at Lake Martin including the 100.​
Picture
The Cabin Start area 20 minutes before the start.
Aerial Shots of Russell Crossroads, Heaven Hill and the 27 Mile Start.
Looks like everyone is  ready for the start - And the start.
Runners on the first lap coming into the Cabin Aid Station.
Just some of the AWESOME Volunteers that help out at Southeastern Trail Runs Races. Most are BUTS members.
​And Exactly What is Jonathan Wearing???
The BUTS (Birmingham Ultra Trail Society) Aid Station at Heaven Hill is READY! And here come the runners.
Some of our 50 Mile and 27 Mile finishers and award winners.
It was a very LONG, COLD Night at the Cabin Aid Station and Heaven Hill Aid Station. The fires helped.
Just a few of our 100 Mile Finishers. We are so proud of every finisher. Congratulations.
1 Comment
Troy Sosa link
12/13/2020 06:16:48 am

I enjoyeed reading this

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    Author

    Runner for 50+ years. Unknown number of Marathons, 10K and 5K. Trail Runner for 20 years. Ten 100s as of 2018.
    ​PR's:
    Mile: 4:33 - 1968
    ​5K: 16:??  - '79-'81?
    ​10K: 35:38 - '81
    ​Marathon: 2:47 - '82
    ​50K: 5:49 - 2007
    50 Mile: 11:22 - 2014
    ​100 Miles: 27:05 - 2016

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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