Preview Run - Mid February
Join us in February for the 12th annual Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 mile Preview Run. The run will start from Russell Crossroads at 7:30 AM. This is a "No One Left Behind" run. The preview run is for everyone. There are no restrictions. It doesn't matter if you are running the race or not. It's a great way to see the course and enjoy a day on the beautiful Russell Forest Trail System. We will "caravan/carpool" from the McDonalds on Hwy 280 in Chelsea. We will leave there at 6:00 AM sharp.
There will be two pace groups, fast and slow. Each group will "regroup" at regular intervals. The trails will be clear of leaves for the preview run. I blew off most of the north end of the course on Feb 8th and will finish on the 13th. We will run the north 18 mile loop 1st. At Heaven Hill Aid Station Location, mile 8 & 13.6, we will be about 1.3 miles from the Cabin (race start location and where your car will be parked) so anyone needing to leave early can head back to their car.
At the end of 18 mile north loop, we will return to the Cabin in Russell Crossroads and take a lunch break. Then, we will run the 7 mile south loop for those wishing to see that section. The grill in Catherine's market deli is open until 2:00 PM. If you finish early, they make a killer hamburger. The sandwiches are awesome too. If you have a sweet tooth, don't even look at the pastries!
Full Details are on the website:
The Lake Martin 100 Website
Race Start - 6:30 AM, March 16th
The race will start at 6:30 AM. Sunrise is 6:55 AM, sunset is 6:56 PM. The first mile in on the paved road or a wide gravel road so most runners should not need a light. At 6:20 AM we will have a short race briefing for all distances.
Shirt Cutoff is Saturday March 3rd
Please do not wait to register until after March 3rd. We must order race shirts on March 4th. We cannot guarantee a race shirt after that date.
There is NO RACEDAY REGISTRATION
REGISTRATION CLOSES MARCH 11TH
Lake Martin registrations closes March 11th at 11:59 PM. There will be no registration after that date. We will not have registration at the race.
About the Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27
The Lake Martin 100 was designed from the ground up to be the perfect step-up from a 50K to a 50 mile or from a 50 mile to your first 100 mile trail race. Our goal is your success. We promise to do everything in our power to help you accomplish your ultra-goal, whether that goal is to run your first ultra, the 27 Mile Fun Run, or to break 21 hours in the 100. We also pledge to make your race experience Fun! The race will be hard. All those beautiful hills become steeper and longer with each successive lap. Those gentle carriage paths become very long about mile 80. But if you have put in enough training miles, we will encourage you, push you, help you, and even yell at you if necessary, to get you to the end. We might even let you rest occasionally. If you are ready, you can do it.
Each 25 Mile loop is 75% Single Track and 5% Double Track Carriage Paths/Trails. There are about 4 1/2 miles of gravel roads, all but 800 yards by the Adamson Road Trailhead do not allow any automobile traffic. About 200 yards is on a paved walking path leading to and from the Cabin Aid Station. There are NO sections on Paved Roads.
The course layout makes race planning extremely easy. It also makes things very simple for you crew. There are only two physical aid stations in the Lake Martin 100 or 50 or 27. There is the Start/Finish aid station at the Cabin and there is Heaven Hill. The two aid stations are only 3 miles apart by car. Runners stop at each aid station 4 times per 25 Mile Loop. The aid stations ranging from 5 miles to 7 miles apart by trail. That adds up to 18 "Full Service" aid station stops in the 100. The course looks line three "0s" side by side. Where the "0s" touch is where the aid stations are located. (The course looks like this, 0+0+0 with the aid stations located at the "+'s".) There are also three major trailheads within 5 miles of the Cabin that your crew can easily reach in minutes. It just doesn't get any easier than that.
Changing Distance, Pacers, Drop Bags
Changing Distance Race Day or During the race:
Runners may change distance any time before race day and be able to compete for place and age group awards. Runners may also change distance race morning or during the race, however, you will not be eligible for place awards or age group awards. You will be considered an official finisher and receive a finisher award for the 27 or 50 mile. 100 milers will receive the Lake Martin 100 buckle.
Pacers for 100 Mile Runners:
Runners are allowed to have pacers AFTER 50 miles. You may have as many pacers as you wish, but you may have only one pacer at a time, running with you. Pacers must sign a Russell Land's Liability Release before starting to pace. Pacers may start at either aid station but must check in with the aid station captain when you start and checkout when you stop pacing. 50 and 27 milers are not allowed pacers at any time.
Dropbags - 50 & 100 Mile Runners Only:
1) We will transport drop bags to Heaven Hill for all 50 & 100 Mile Runners.
2) 100 Mile Runners may have two dropbags for Heaven Hill.
3) 50 Mile Runners may have one dropbag at Heaven Hill.
4) Drop bags should be no larger than 10" X 10" X 20" - Do NOT put your drop bag in a garbage bag.
(We might mistaken it for trash!)
5) We do not accept Styrofoam coolers, ice chests or large tubs.
6) Drop bags must be labeled with Bib #, Race Distance and Full Name.
7) We will return drop bags to the start as soon as possible, but 50 milers may need to go to Heaven Hill to pick up their bag.
8) We will NOT ACCEPT drop bags for 27 Milers for Heaven Hill.
9) 27 Milers, 50 Milers and 100 Milers may have drop bags at the Cabin Start/Finish.
10) Cabin drop bags may be left around the cabin or you may use your car as a personal aid station.
11) Since you are responsible for carrying your "Cabin" aid station bag, it can be any size. (Be sure it is properly labeled)
12) If you leave your drop bag at the race, We CANNOT send it to you. Don't Leave it, PLEASE!!
Weekend Schedule
Friday, March 15th - 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Package Pickup for all races will be Friday afternoon at the Cabin (Race Start Location) at Russell Crossroads. The address is 17 Russell Farms Rd, Alexander City, AL 35010
Do NOT bring dropbags to Friday afternoon packet pickup.
*** You MUST have a government issue photo ID to pick up your race packet and bib. Each Runner must pick up their own race packet. You may not have someone pick up your race packet for you. You can pick up your bib Friday afternoon or Saturday morning before the race. ***
Friday, March 15th - 5:00 PM
We will be a short race briefing in the Cabin. We will cover such things as trail marking, course conditions, any last-minute changes, etc. and answer any questions. The meeting is NOT mandatory, but everyone is welcome, and we strongly urge all runners to attend.
Saturday, March 16th – 5:00 to 6:15 AM:
Packet Pickup for all races and drop-bag drop-off at the Cabin Start area.
We will accept drop bags for the Heaven Hill Aid Station for 50 and 100 mile races only. Be sure they are properly labeled with Name, Bib # and Aid Station and have them at the start no later than 6:30 AM. We will have an area designated for Heaven Hill Drop Bags, probably in the back of my white, Ford F150 truck. Drop bags for the Cabin aid station should be left on the porch of the Cabin. You may also leave your Cabin Dropbag in your car. We do not accept dropbags for Heaven Hill from 27 Mile Runners. However, 27miles are welcome to leave a bag in the Cabin or have supplies in your car.
If you arrive later than 6:15 AM you may not be able to get your race packet until after the race start. Your start may be delayed as much as 15 minutes so please arrive early. All runners may bring drop bags to the Cabin start area Saturday Morning.
Saturday, March 16th - 6:20AM:We will have a short race briefing covering final details and changes.
Saturday, March 16th - 6:30 AM: Start of the 100, 50 and 27 Mile Race,
The races will start promptly at 6:30AM (Sunrise - 6:39 AM - Sunset - 6:59 PM) If you expect to take more than 11 hours to run the 27 or 50 mile you should have a flashlight or headlamp with you or have one in your dropbag at the Cabin.
Saturday, March 16th – 10:30 PM: Finish - 27 Mile and 50 Mile Race. (16 hour cutoff)
Sunday, March 17th – 2:30 PM: Finish - 100 Mile Race.
Racecourse will close at 2:30 PM Sunday, March 26th. (32 hour time limit) There will be mandatory cutoffs in place at the start/finish area at the start of the third and fourth laps of the 100. Sunday morning, a hot breakfast will be available at the Cabin for runners as they finish the 100. You and your crew are welcome to enjoy the custom made, hot breakfast. 100 mile runners are not required to stop at the 32 hour cutoff. As long as you can make it back to the Cabin before sunset you may continue running. We are required to dismantle and clean up the star/finish area so everything may be gone when you finish. You are still a 100 mile finisher and receive a Lake Martin 100 Buckle. If you think you may need more than 33 hours to finish you need to have crew members to stay at the Cabin until you make it back.
Awards will be presented as runners finish. Awards are given is all races to 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall, male and female. We also give 1st in age group awards of Master (40-49) Grand Master (50 and above)
Event's current local time: 5:27 PM CT
