Embrace the heat at Hotter N Hell run
Hotter N Hell Trail Race
July 25 at 8 a.m.
Race-day registration begins at 7 a.m.
Oak Mountain State Park Cedar Pavilion
Fees: 18-mile - $40, 9-mile - $30
Running an 18-mile race in the middle of the Alabama summer may not sound like fun, but it may not be as bad as you’d think.
“There aren’t many races in July,” said David Tosch, who coordinates the run. “While it is going to be really hot, one thing road runners don’t realize is when you’re running on roads, the sun heats the surface of the road and the heat on top is reflected up. Out in the woods it’s still hot, but it’s shady.”
The Hotter N Hell race will take place Saturday, July 25 and is the fourth race in the Southeastern Trail Series, which Tosch founded. It will feature a nine-mile and 18-mile race and take place at Oak Mountain State Park.
Brooke Smith Weaver, who anchors the morning news for WVTM-13, participated in this race last year, and is signed up again this year. She said that Tosch is a legend both for his love of running hills and for having great races.
“They are so challenging and so much fun, you just want more. That’s why people keep coming to his races,” Weaver said. “We love a challenge, and running in July in Alabama presents a different kind of challenge. You’ve got to maintain your fitness all year round.”
Weaver, who is in her 10th year of running, said trail running requires use of every single muscle and it helps make runners stronger. As a busy, working mom of two, this is her “me time.”
“You just listen to music of God’s creation, the winds and waterfalls. You get to be one with nature. It’s not all about pace. Trail running lets you focus on getting lost in the run and the distance,” Weaver said.
This year, the series features seven races in seven months. Their races start at a 5K and go up to a 50K. Their goal is to introduce road runners to trail running, and each race is progressively harder than the previous one.
“People who don’t even run can start with our first race and by the end of the year can run the 50K,” Tosch said. “These races are fun from beginning to end. You get to meet people from all over the world. We have food and beer at the end of the race. It’s a fun atmosphere and that makes a huge difference, too.”
Registration costs $40 for the 18-mile race and $30 for the nine-mile race. Runners can register online until Thursday, July 23. After that, registration is available at the Mountain High Outfitters located at 2800 Cahaba Village Plaza on July 24 or on race day starting at 7 a.m. For more information, or to register for this and other races, visit southeasterntrailruns.com.