Slowly but surely we are working our way through the month of February. This week we will take a look at four of the ultra events taking place on the weekend of Saturday, February 20 and Sunday, February 21, 2010, Sylamore Trail 50k, Cross Timbers Trail Runs, Black Warrior 50k, and Hagg Lake Trail Run.
We begin in Allison, Arkansas with the Sylamore Trail 50k. Also offering a 25k option, the 50k is an out-and-back course on 14.5 miles of trail and 1 mile of pavement. Two water crossings exist at approximately miles 2 and 30. The 25k is also an out-and-back (but on 7.25 miles of trail and 1 miles of pavement, and with water crossings at miles 2 and 14.5). The course record was set in 2000 by Dink Taylor (3:40:37).
Lake Texoma and “the toughest little trail in Texas” play host to the 2010 Cross Timbers Trail Runs. 50-mile, marathon, half marathon and 5-mile options are available. The 50-mile has a whopping 10,900 feet of elevation gain/loss.
The 5th annual Black Warrior 50k (25k, 5 mile and 3-person relay options) takes place on Saturday. The race starts and finishes at the Brushy Lake Recreation Area. The first 2.6 miles are on gravel roads, followed by 26 miles on scenic single-track trail. It finishes with an additional 2.8 miles on gravel road. The 26 miles of single-track trails follows 3 horse trail loops in the wildlife management area – the Key Mill Loop, the Brushy Loop, and the Pine Torch Loop. The course consists of rolling hills with no major climbs, but some moderately challenging sections. There are several creek crossings.
We wrap things up with the 10th annual ORCC Hagg Lake 25k and 50k Trail Runs. The start/finish is at the Sain Creek Picnic Area. A short out-and-back starts each of the races (25k is 1.51 miles; 50k it is 3.03 miles) on a gravel road and, like the rest of the course, is hilly. Then, it’s on to the trail. In years past, the trail has been sloppy, slippery, and, well … muddy. The primarily singletrack trail is a mixture of hills and flats. Runners will run counterclockwise around the track – 50k-ers get to do it twice and 25k-ers are done after only one loop.
Short and sweet, that will do it for this week. See you next week, and, happy running!
