In the Woods 30A 50K
I’m pleased to announce that registration for the 2025 In the Woods 30A 50K, presented by Summit Group, is NOW OPEN! We're proud to be the ONLY ultramarathon on 30A. If you're from outside of the local area and/or have never heard of 30A, "30A" is both a road AND an "area," if you will. We're often regarded as having "the world's most beautiful beaches." Well, needless to say, we have some pretty amazing forest as well! The In the Woods 30A 50K will be taking place on Saturday, Jan 25th, starting and finishing at the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake Trailhead. The race starts at 6:30a and the finish line closes promptly at 4p - both start and finish will be at the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake trailhead. Runners have THREE race options to choose from: the 50K Solo, the 2-person relay, and the 3-person relay. The relay teams can be all gals, all guys, or a mix of both.
Course
From the Point Washington State Forest Eastern Lake Trailhead, runners immediately head into the woods where endless pine forests await! The trail itself is a mix of mostly dirt/sand trail, some sections of sand only, and some sections of gravel road. There are even a handful of creek crossings where runners traverse wood bridges. The 50K course consists of THREE total laps. Lap 1 = 10.50 miles, lap 2 = 10.17 miles, and lap 3 = 10.40 miles, for a total of 31.07 miles.
Restating the obvious here: if tackling the In the Woods solo, runners will obviously complete all three laps. If participating as a 2-person relay, one runner will run one lap, the second runner will run two laps. For the 3-person relay, each runner will run one lap. The changeover point for all relays will be adjacent the trailhead (see course map).
There is a 9.5 hour time limit. If you believe you'll take longer than 9.5 hours to complete, you are free to start early. Beginning with the 2025 race, we will be using ankle chips. You will pick up these ankle chips on race morning at race central adjacent the start/finish line. Pointing out the obvious here: only take an ankle chip if you plan on running. If you have no plans on running on just want your shirt? Please grab your shirt and let someone know (in person or via email) that you're NOT running.
Terrain
I should take this opportunity real quick to discuss the terrain, just so there are no surprises. From the outset of the race you can expect tree roots, rocks, sand, and maybe even some fallen over trees. You can also expect a few sections of standing water and mud. In other words, pure awesomeness!!! Again, I just wanted to discuss the terrain so no one shows up on race day expecting a groomed running path with no trip hazards and with aspirations of going home with clean shoes. Simply put, not gonna happen!
This info is in the waiver, but I'll go ahead and mention it here. This is hunting season within the state forest. Don't be surprised if you hear a rifle shot (or five) off in the distance. I've been assured that no runner has ever been shot in the years before I came along with my races, and I can personally assure you that no one has been shot in the years that we've been running there. NEVERTHELESS, the state forest has asked that I request for all runners to wear bright colored clothing. Most of you do already; if you don't, please consider it :)
Aid Stations
There will be TWO manned and fully-stocked aid stations. One adjacent the start/finish (meant to serve as the "end of lap" aid station) and one at the ~5-mile point. If you have a small bag that you want to drop, that's totally fine! You'll pass the "end of lap" aid station within 60 seconds of starting the race.
NOTE: if temps are over 70 degrees, I'll typically add a self-serve water table at ~mile 7.5.
Awards
The 1st thru 3rd finishers from the men’s and women’s solo races, and the 1st - 3rd finishers from the 2 and 3-person relays will receive awards. Furthermore, the top 3 solo finishers from each age group will also receive awards. All race finishers will receive a nifty finisher’s award.
And VERY SPECIAL to the In the Woods 30A 50K: all solo runners who finish the 50K in UNDER 5 HOURS will receive the coveted In the Woods 30A 50K "U5 Club" Stein. AND starting with the 2025 race, we will also have "U4 Club" steins for those who achieve what I once thought was simply not possible!
Post-Race Social
There will be pizza (lots and lots of pizza) at the finish line. There may be a no-host social at Idyll Hound Proper at 30Avenue in Inlet Beach that afternoon. More to follow.
Packet Pick-up
Early packet pick-up will be on Friday, January 24th from 4-6p at Fleet Feet Inlet Beach. If you can't make it on Friday, no worries, there will also be packet pick-up on race morning at the start line from 5:45a-6:25a (...but have some mercy on us and PLEASE try to make it on Friday :)). This year all registered runners will receive the official In the Woods 30A 50K race shirt.
Additional Details
Promo Codes: ACTIVE DUTY military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO1 promo code to receive 25% off your registration. RETIRED military, police, sheriff's deputies, fire, and paramedics, please use the HERO promo code to receive 15% off your registration. All of the local-area middle school + high track and cross-country team runners can get 10% off by using the SCHOOL promo code. Area running clubs should have their own code (provided to them by us) for 10% off. If you've forgotten what it is, please hit us up. NOTE: PROMO codes must be used at checkout. They cannot/will not be retroactively applied for cash back. If you want to run, but the registration fee will truly set you back due to current financial hardship, please give us a holler at RunRotorhead30a@gmail.com. We set three registrations aside each race for folks in such a predicament.
Lastly, as stated in the waiver, there are no refunds or transfers/deferrals of registration(s), regardless of circumstances. The lone exception on the "no transfer" policy is if you agree to volunteer at a race. Obviously said volunteer duty must be complete prior to utilizing your transfer. Thanks for your understanding!
Event's current local time: 11:45 AM CT
