Autumn Equinox Ultra set for 8th year

The eighth annual Autumn Equinox Ultra trail run will be Sept. 18 at Oak Mountain State Park. 

The event will feature a 32-mile ultra-distance race, along with a 16-mile fun run. Runners who opt for the 32-miler will complete two loops on Oak Mountain’s Red Trail system. The first loop will be run in a counterclockwise direction, and the second loop will be run in a clockwise direction. Fun-run participants will complete one counterclockwise loop.

 Owen Bradley, AEU race director, said his “low-key” event welcomes runners of all levels, regardless of prior ultrarunning experience. “We want to give you a chance to accomplish something you never thought you would,” Bradley said. 

Bradley, a locally-renowned distance runner, said the race got an informal start in 2009 when a group of friends joined him for a run on his birthday. Bradley said he wanted to cover 30 miles since he was turning 30, so he ran two loops on the Red Trail. The total distance ended up being 32 miles, and an annual tradition was born. 

The AEU 32 miler will start at 6:30 a.m., and the 16 miler will start at 8:30 a.m.  For those who sign up before Sept. 16, registration fees are $40 for the 32 mile and $30 for the 16 mile. Race day registration is $50. 

The top three overall male and female finishers in each race, along with the first-place male and female grandmasters finishers in each race, will be awarded gift cards from Alabama Outdoors, the event’s presenting sponsor. A post-race party with beer and pizza is at noon. 

To sign up or for more information, search for the Autumn Equinox Ultra page on ultrasignup.com.