Annual Peavine run steps it up a notch

On July Fourth, runners will make a beeline for Peavine. 

This year, the traditional Peavine Falls Run — half of which is uphill — has gained new heights, being named a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) State Championship Race. 

“[The RRCA] recognizes certain races to be outstanding, and they give them that state championship designation, which is pretty cool,” race director Alex Morrow said. “It means we will get people from all over the state to race because there are special awards and it’s a certified course. If you do well, it actually goes to your overall records.” 

Birmingham Track Club has hosted the 8.2-mile Peavine race for the past 33 years by the. Now that the race is supported by RRCA, organizers will also provide RRCA awards to top runners in addition to the awards distributed in the past.

“I feel honored that the race has been given that designation, and we will live up to it because when the RRCA gets involved, you make sure everything is top notch,” Morrow said.

Last year, the Peavine Falls Run attracted about 500 runners, and the race keeps getting bigger each year. It started much smaller as a way of giving back to the Birmingham Track Club community, but over the years people have fallen in love with it, Morrow said. 

At Oak Mountain, the race starts on the road in front of the Dogwood Pavilion (the upper picnic area), and runners will follow the paved road all the way to the Peavine Falls parking lot. They will turn around, zoom down that hill and then, 1.2 miles from the finish line, veer off into the woods toward the end. 

“It is four miles uphill, but we do have quite a few families out there who do a run/walk,” Morrow said. “Kids will run as far as they can and then walk for a while and then run again. It is still 8 miles, and that is not a short distance by any means. For someone who has never run a 5K, I would not recommend this.”

Runners and walkers alike can enjoy a hot dog, chips and a beverage once they reach the finish line. 

“It is July Fourth, and we understand that a lot of people have their own plans,” Morrow said. “The race starts at 7 a.m., you are down the hill and back by 9 a.m., so you can have a little fun for the next hour or so before you get back to your house. It’s not a huge party, but it is a good time.” 

To register for the race or for more information, visit birminghamtrackclub.com/peavine-falls-run.php.