Welcome!
This is a 12 hour timed night run! Start time is just after sundown, at 7:15 PM. End time is 7:15 AM, Sunrise, on the Sunday the 6th.
The course is a 1 mile loop and will be run washing machine style (switch directions every 3 hours). The loop is a mix of pavement (.25), hard packed dirt/gravel and semi packed sand beach around the fort (.5), and a short section of trail (.25). With the exception of the trail, the course is relative flat.
This will be professionally scored and chip timed by Mike Melton at MCMTiming.
The event is meant to be a fundraiser for the 501(c)3 Friends of Fort Clinch, a Citizen Support Organization created to help fund projects in Fort Clinch State Park that are otherwise not provided for in the parks budget from the state of Florida. In 2016 this race contributed towards their goal of purchasing a 6′ tall, bronze statue as a memorial to the Civilian Conservation Corps workers who restored the fort in the 1930’s. We raised, after expenses, about $1100. The CCC is pretty much directly responsible for the establishment of Florida’s state park and thus many of the trails we enjoy running and hiking on. The CCC statue was purchased and installed in mid-2017. The 2017 event was canceled due to hurricane damage in the park. The 2019 race will continue the fund raising effort for renovation of the river campground bathrooms, a building originally constructed by the CCC, as well as other projects.
This is a low-key event! No t-shirts or other swag, unless provided by a race sponsor! "Finisher" awards are TBD and will be for those who complete at least 40 miles or longer.
FDR's New Deal and the Civilian Conservation Corps
Developed under the New Deal Era of President Franklin D Roosevelt. The CCC was designed to provide jobs for young men in relief of families who had difficulty finding employment during the Great Depression (1933-1943). This program implemented one of the largest natural and cultural resource conservation efforts in US history.
During its nine year existence 2.5 million young men participated in the CCC program, which provided them with shelter, clothing, and food, together with a small wage of $30.00 a month ($25.00 of this was sent home to their families).
During the time of the CCC, volunteers planted nearly 3 billion trees to help reforest America, constructed more than 800 parks nationwide and upgraded many other state parks, updated forest fire fighting methods, and built a network of service buildings and public roadways in remote areas.
The CCC Role in Florida State Parks
Although the Florida legislature authorized creation of a state park system in 1925, it took the Depression of the 1930s and the development of federal New Deal programs to create the impetus for the formation of the Florida State Park system.
9 of Florida’s First State Parks were developed by the hard work of the CCC including: Florida Caverns, Fort Clinch, Highlands Hammock, Hillsborough River, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch, Myakka River, O’leno, Ravine Gardens & Torreya State Parks.
By 1941, 99 buildings had been constructed in the nine parks. By 1942, all of the CCC camps in Florida were closed because of World War II. State park development came to a halt and did not advance for another decade
CCC Company 1420 worked at Fort Clinch State Park constructing the museum, campground and park roads as well as beginning the restoration of historic Fort Clinch by removing more than 10,000 cubic yards of sand and debris from the Fort. Imagine removing this much sand by shovel and wheelbarrow as the men of the CCC did!
Continuing where the CCC ended, The Florida Park Service has managed Fort Clinch State Park, working to restore several historic structures inside the fort, stabilizing masonry and steel components, and interpreting the facility as an important Civil War Site. Additionally the Florida Park Service has made numerous upgrades to the park including expanded camping facilities, a beach use area and fishing pier, group camping facilities and more.
The Friends of Fort Clinch
The Friends of Fort Clinch State Park‘s mission is the preserving of natural & cultural resources, and providing recreational & educational opportunities. Any and all money raised by The Friends of Fort Clinch goes directly to fund needs for Fort Clinch State Park and needed projects which would not be funded by the State of Florida.
All gate receipts, etc which are paid to the park is divided up between State Parks which are not operating on the plus side of the economic scale.
Through fund raising and grant acquisitions, the Friends enable restoration projects, support special events and educational programming, provide tools and equipment to assist park rangers, and expand and improve the park’s renowned Living History Program. The Friends of Fort Clinch work closely with the local community and proudly endeavor to be an integral part of Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.
Fort Clinch State Park preserves, protects and showcases natural and historical resources.
The Friends of Fort Clinch is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible.
Event's current local time: 5:16 PM ET
