Blood Rock marathon returns to OMSP

Marathon runners will have their choice of distance options at this month’s Blood Rock event. Presented by Southeastern Trails, the Blood Rock will feature 25K and 50K trail races along with 50- and 100-mile options during the race the weekend of Nov. 22-24 at Oak Mountain State Park.

The event is the 2019 Ultra Marathon Championship Race for the state of Alabama, and organizer David Tosch said it is considered one of the hardest races of its type in the Southeast.

“The course is so difficult that a lot of people are not going to try the 100 mile or 50 mile,” Tosch said. “It’s really tough this year and a real challenge.”

Tosch said he hopes they end up with 50 participants for the 100 mile and expects around 50 or more for the 50 mile. He said the 25K (15.2 miles) and 50K (32.7 miles) always have considerably more people.

The course has extensive elevation gains. The 100 mile will have well over 50,000 feet of elevation change; the 50 mile is over 25,000 ft. The 50K has a total elevation change of 17,690 feet and the 25K is 8,020 feet.

Tosch said participants don’t have to necessarily be marathoners to complete the shortest distance.

“Anyone can walk 10 to 15 miles can probably do the 25K,” he said. “If they take their time and be sure to drink lots of water, virtually anyone can do it. We even have people come out who are in their 70s.”

Tosch said there will be eight aid stations along the route, ranging between two and seven miles in between each. There will be food and drinks at each stop for the participants to fuel up on their stops.

“We go through a lot of bacon at these races,” Tosch said. “We will also have eggs, pancakes, and waffles for breakfast and during the day, rollups and burritos.”

The cutoffs are 44 hours for the 100, 22 hours for the 50 mile, 14.5 hours for the 50K and 6.5 hours for the 25K. Tosch said most of the participants go the entire time, some may not even stop to sleep. He said many runners will stop once they get 20 miles and eat and drink before continuing on.

The start of the 50 and 100 mile is at noon Friday. The 25K and 50K Trail Race will begin at 8 a.m. Saturday, which is also the alternative start for the 50 mile. Saturday at 4 p.m. is the cutoff the 25K race. and 8 a.m. Sunday is the cutoff for the 100 mile race.

The registration deadline is Nov. 18. For more information or to register, visit southeasterntrailruns.com or ultrasignup.com.