Trail races return to Oak Mountain

June 27, 2013 4:31 PM

On July 27, things will heat up at Oak Mountain State Park.

“This race will be a real test of endurance,” David Tosch, Trail Series founder, said. “It will be hot and there is a lot of climbing on some rugged terrain. It is the perfect event for those that want to test themselves in difficult conditions.”

The Hotter N’ Hell Trail Race will begin at the Cedar Pavilion at 8 a.m. July 27.

Runners will follow the Red Bike Trail to the top of Double Oak Mountain then down to Peavine Falls. From there, they will descend into the Peavine Creek Gorge, cross under the falls and climb back up to the ridge. Then runners will follow the Green Peavine Falls Trail back down the mountain and return to the starting point.

Runners have a choice between a nine- and an 18-mile race. Paths are the same, except 18-mile runners repeat the course. Registration fees for the 9-mile race are $35, and the 18-mile is $40.

Overall-first-place male and female runners will win a pair of Salomon Trail running shoes. All finishers receive finisher medals.

The race is the fourth of a seven-race Southeastern Trail Series sponsored by Mountain High Outfitters. A points system tracks all finishers in each race. At the end of the year, point champions in each category (Overall, Masters and Grand Masters) will receive special awards.

The first race was the Tranquility Lake Run, a three- and six- mile race around Tranquility Lake. The second was the Run for Kids Challenge, a fundraiser for Camp Smile-A-Mile with a 10K, a 50K and a 12-hour race.

Tosch said he designed the program so that each race is harder and longer than the previous, intending that those that run the entire series are ready for the Tranquility Lake 50K in November. This race will be 31-plus miles on difficult terrain with more than 1-mile of elevation gain.

The series is designed as a training program for those new to trail running and Ultrarunning.