Race Details
The atmosphere of Whispering Pines is very social, laid-back, and fun. The event is free and relies on donations to help cover expenses like park rental, insurance, aid station food, etc. Additionally, once costs are covered, we will donate to the park.
Whispering Pines has something for everyone of all ages, all abilities, and all speeds. Participants may run and/or walk the loop as many times as they want between 7am and 7pm. The course will follow a 5-mile trail loop beginning and ending at the pavilion by parking lot B and the playground and will be open for 12 hours. There is parking and restrooms near the pavilion and additional parking nearby.
The course will be marked with directional arrows at the turns and orange flagging ribbon. There are many trails in the park, so it is important to pay attention to the course markings. It is entirely on single-track and double-track trails except for crossing two paved roads within the park each loop. The trails wind through the woods and are shaded, packed sand and pine-needle covered, with some gentle ups-and-downs. After each loop, participants should check in with the timing crew.
Participants choose how long or how far they want to go, and they get credit for whatever distance they complete. Runners can take a break at any time, leave the course, return, and run some more, just let the timing crew know what you are doing.
An aid station will be set up at the Start/Finish line with your typical aid station food and drinks. If you want/need/desire something else, please plan to bring it yourself. And if you're so inclined, bring something to share! Think of it as an aid station "potluck"!
Check-in will begin at 6:15am and will be open until 4pm. Everyone who completes 2 loops will receive a finisher award.
Directions
Directions to start: Follow Highway 44 West/ West Main Street, through Inverness. At the intersection of Highway 44 and Forest Drive/Pleasant Grove Road/ CR 581, turn onto Forest Drive and drive about 1/4 mile to the park entrance. At the stop sign, turn left and follow the road to the sign for Parking Lot B.
Accommodations
Inverness has few motels. There is the Central Motel about 3 miles from the start. There is also a Holiday Inn Express 4 miles from the start on Highway 44 West. Camping is available at Holder Mine Campground in the Withlacoochee State Forest, about 4 miles from the start and Mutual Mine Campground about 6.5 miles. There are several motels at the I-75/Hwy 44 junction, Wildwood, about 16 miles from the start. No one is allowed to stay in Whispering Pines Park overnight.
Event's current local time: 1:20 AM ET
