The History

The inaugural Phoenix Trail Fest was a huge success. We were amazed to see so many runners and so many PR's! Over 60% of those who ran with us were able to run their longest distance or their fastest time of their chosen distance. We had a 10 year old win the 4 mile women's division, and an 80 year old woman finish the 50 miler! It far exceeded our expectations and we can't wait to do it again and make it even better. This race is put on by Panorama Ultra Running. Our goal is to help people increase in strength, resilience, and perspective through outdoor endurance adventures. We are bound and determined to create the most runner-friendly trail races on the planet.

The Draw

This promises to be a unique trail running experience. Think about it; what other trail race on the planet can offer you:
• A ton of well-groomed single track winding around a beautiful lake
• Such a wide variety of distances
• Such reasonable entry fees
• No cut-offs (we will stay at the park until you finish or quit)
• Impossible to DNF! If you run 50 feet and quit, we will record that
• The freedom to bump up or down distances at any point in the race with no penalty
• Unlimited pacers with muling allowed
• The opportunity to strike a GONG in the middle of the woods along the course
• Camping, swimming, hiking, kayaking, paddle boating available before and after the race
• Aid stations every 4 miles
• Hot showers available after the race
• Awards for any Personal Record (fastest time or longest distance)
• A race team that is committed to helping you get that PR
• Smiling, happy people hanging out and having fun and helping you finish
• The chance to contribute to such a worthy cause

The Intent

We want this to be a fun, laid-back event where people can spend some time in this beautiful park and accomplish some serious PR’s. We want you to run far and have fun. While you're at it, please enjoy good food, good music, and good people. See Runner’s Manual below for additional details.

The Park

The Park – Lake Lurleen State Park is a hidden gem in central Alabama. The park offers 24 miles of single track trails, hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, etc. We HIGHLY encourage you to camp here the night before or after the run. Call the park directly for a Phoenix Trail Fest discount. We would love to see people enjoying the park before or after the event. The beach area is a great hang out spot where you can set up your own personal aid station. After the race you can swim or kayak or hang out at the beach and cheer in fellow runners.Don't forget: everyone entering the park will be required to pay the $5 per person entrance fee. Boats are for rent and all other activities are free.

The Cause

All proceeds will go to benefit a local 501c3 non-profit called “The Phoenix House,” which is a transitional residential substance abuse treatment center. Their slogan typifies our event, "From the Ashes we Rise."

The Name

The name "Phoenix" is a tribute to the Phoenix House, but it also symbolizes the death and re-birth that often happens on a really long run. We run, we fall apart, we come back to life again.

The Course

The Course – Updated course information for 2024: All races will start and finish at the beach (swim area). Park in the main parking lots just inside the park (left or right), then walk over the bridge and left to get to the beach area. 4 mile runners will line up facing North, go up the road 50 yards and take a hard right up the steep trail to hit the ridge loop. Turn right, run the entire loop, and come down the same steep trail, across the road to the finish. This is exactly 22,188.1 ft, which comes out to 4.2 miles.

All other distances will start at the beach facing South. Come out of the beach area, go right on the road, right again over the bridge, then follow the parking lot past your car and the park entrance to enter the South Trailhead. Stay on the Tashka trail for the entire course. Do not go onto any side loops (these are clearly marked with names other than Tashka). Come out of the North Trailhead, turn left on the park road and follow back to the finish at the beach. This loop is 66,023.4 feet – aka 12.504 miles. Longer distances will be multiples of the same loop. See the course map in the picture real at the top of the page.

The course consists of 92% single track trails, 8% paved park roads. The trail is well maintained, but does have the standard roots and rocks and hills - it's a trail race, for crying out loud. The course will be well marked. All you have to do is stay on the Tashka main trail and don't take any side loops. You would have to try pretty hard to get off course. The elevation gain for one Tashka loop is 1,060 feet. You can do the math for the other distances. The 62 mile, or 100k, for example, will be five loops so it will have 5,300 feet of gain. The max elevation is 435 ft.

The Nuts and Bolts

To be garuanteed a shirt you must register by April 1.
Packet pick up will be on Friday, April 19 at Fleet Feet of Tuscaloosa, or race morning at the park.
You can easily set up your own personal aid station at the start / finish by staging your gear in the beach area. You can also stage gear in your car, which you will pass each loop just before entering the single track at the South trailhead.
For anyone doing more than the 12.5 distance, we recommend that you carry your essential water and nutrition, using aid stations as a back up
Any runners headed out on a loop after 4 pm will need a headlamp
First, Second, and Third place awards will be given for each distance, male and female divisions. There will be no age group awards. We will have an award for everyone who achieves a time or distance PR.
Run the main loop in under 2 hours and get the coolest sticker in town (see CW2 sticker picture above) .
Unless we have severe, severe weather the race will go on. If we have to cancel because of crazy weather or something beyond our control, we will still hold the race the following Saturday if conditions allow.

The Sponsor

This race is sponsored by the great folks at Fleet Feet of Tuscaloosa. They are doing an amazing job of promoting all things running in our community and we're very grateful they have stepped in to fully sponsor this trail running cornucopia.

The Lottery

We thought we were joking when we added this section, then last year we had so many people sign up at the last minute that we had to cap registration. Moral to the story: don't wait to sign up; it might fill up!

The Runner's Manual

Run Far.
Have Fun.

"I wrote it myself," - Ron Swanson

Event's current local time: 11:01 AM CT