Big Scrub 150

Do you want to be a part of something “BIG”? Well, here’s your chance, welcome to the Big Scrub 150.

The Big Scrub 150 is an invitation only, self-supported, virtual destination race, designed and intended to build an exclusive community of Ultra Runners who want to challenge and support each other through the mutual love of Trail and Ultra Running. This is a BIG race, and the typical runner will take three days and two nights to complete it.

How the Invitation Works:

Applicants will be invited to participate in the Big Scrub 150 by one of two methods, you must have Crewed or Supported another runner’s attempt on this destination race. Or you must have run, crewed, or supported a runner on any other qualifying race, as determined by the Race Director (verification is required).

Note: Currently the only other qualifying race is the Across Florida 200-Virtual.

Course:

This race is held entirely on the famed Florida National Scenic Trail, and traverses all of that trail within the Big Scrub of the Ocala National Forest, Marion County Florida and the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway.

Runners will begin their journey at the Clearwater Lake Recreation Area Trailhead, travel north on the Eastern Corridor of the Florida Trail to the Kirkpatrick Dam (formerly Rodman Dam), return south to the East/West corridor split, taking the Western Corridor of the Florida Trail South to the finish located at the Withlacoochee State Trail-Gulf Junction Trailhead in Dunnellon Florida.

The entire course follows the Single-Track Florida Trail with only 6 miles of road walk and 3 miles of paved bike path.

Historical Highlights:

• Many of your miles will be traversing the Ocala National Forest, established by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 to protect the world's largest sand pine scrub forest.
• The first blaze of the Florida National Scenic Trail was marked in the Ocala National Forest in October of 1966, the trail was officially designated as a National Scenic Trail in 1983.
• During this run you will explore the Wilderness of Juniper Prairie and Pat’s Island, the historical location in which author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings based her famed novel “The Yearling” which was adapted to film in the 1946.
• You will run through the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway which was once the planned route of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, a project that would have connected the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf. The canal was never finished, and the land is now a protected greenway. The Greenway is home to the I-75 Landbridge and the Santos Trail system.

Rules:

You will have the entire calendar year (Jan-December) to begin your attempt, if at any point during the race you do not finish (DNF), you will have an additional six months to make a second attempt at running the course. Any additional attempts will require you to register again.

Runners may start and finish the course whenever they want, there is no time cut off, but the race must be completed in one continuous attempt, start to finish.

A GPX file with the course route and suggested Crew stops will be provided by the Race Director upon registration, however you may be crewed at any point along the route.

Runners must provide their own crew, pacers, and support. At least one crew person is required unless a waiver is approved. Sharing crew by multiple runners is acceptable. Any uncrewed attempt must be approved by the Race Director prior to beginning the course, no exception. Failure to have a designated crew person or having an approved waiver will result in disqualification.

You must notify the Race Director at least 24 hours before you begin your attempt. Runners must provide a live tracker for the entire run and make the tracker available to the Race Director and any support/crew once the attempt has started. You may use any tracker that gives regular and continuous updates, (examples include: Strava Beacon and Garmin Live Track). Each runner must complete all 150 miles on their own without any other form of transportation in a single attempt. No relays or passing off the tracker to another runner. Pacers are allowed at any point in the race. No littering, follow the leave no trace principles. Trekking poles are allowed.

The race director has the sole discretion of the administration of any violations of the race rules ranging from a time penalty up to and including disqualification.

Awards:

Any runner who completes this course will be awarded a BIG beautiful custom belt buckle. The Race Director will make every attempt to meet you at the finish line to present the buckle in person, or have a representative make the presentation. If no one is available to meet you at the finish, the buckle will be mailed to you as expediently as possible.

Support The Florida Trail:

The Florida Trail (FT) is a 1,500-mile trail that extends from the Big Cypress National Preserve at the edge of the Everglades in south Florida to Gulf Islands National Seashore on Santa Rosa Island in the Florida panhandle. The trail is used by thru-hikers, day hikers, trail runners, and for events like the one you're signing up for now!

The FT provides opportunities for recreation in some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes in Florida, and it's made possible by the work of the Florida Trail Association (FTA) and thousands of volunteer hours. FTA relies on donations from trail users like you to sustain their volunteer work. As a participant in this event that uses the Florida Trail, we encourage you to make a donation to support these efforts and ensure the trail is protected and maintained for years to come (minimum suggested donation per participant of $25) . To learn more about the Florida Trail and make a donation, visit www.floridatrail.org/donate.

Refund Policy:

We understand that things happen, however no refunds will be issued. You may adjust your start, any time within the calendar year, and you will have six months to make a second attempt should you DNF on your first. We think this is very reasonable.

Event's current local time: 12:29 PM ET