The inaugural Phoenix Trail Fest was a huge success. We were amazed to see so many runners and so many PR’s! Over 60% of those who ran with us were able to run their longest distance or their fastest time of their chosen distance. We had a 10 year old win the 4 mile women’s division, and an 80 year old woman finish the 50 miler! Talk about memorable. We also had a runner bump up from the 25 mile to 37.5, and then he ran an extra .5 miles so he could say he ran 38 miles right after his 38th birthday. It was an amazing experience. It far exceeded our expectations and we can’t wait to do it again and make it even better. This race is sponsored by Panorama Ultra Running. We are bound and determined to create the most runner-friendly trail races on the planet.
The Draw
This promises to be a unique trail running experience. Think about it; what other trail race on the planet can offer you:
• A ton of well-groomed single track winding around a beautiful lake
• Such a wide variety of distances
• Such reasonable entry fees
• No cut-offs (we will stay at the park until you finish or quit)
• Impossible to DNF! If you run 50 feet and quit, we will record that
• The freedom to bump up or down distances at any point in the race with no penalty
• Unlimited pacers with muling allowed
• The opportunity to strike a GONG in the middle of the woods along the course
• Camping, swimming, hiking, kayaking, paddle boating available before and after the race
• Aid stations every 4 miles
• Hot showers available after the race
• Awards for any Personal Record (fastest time or longest distance)
• A race team that is committed to helping you get that PR
• Smiling, happy people hanging out and having fun and helping you finish
• The chance to contribute to such a worthy cause
The Intent
We want this to be a fun, laid-back event where people can spend some time in this beautiful park and accomplish some serious PR’s. We want you to run far and have fun. Enjoy good food, good music, good people, and good fun. See Runner’s Manual below for additional details.
The Park
Lake Lurleen State Park is a hidden gem in central Alabama. The park offers 24 miles of single track trails, hiking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, etc. We HIGHLY encourage you to camp here the night before or after the run. Call the park directly for a Phoenix Trail Fest discount. We would love to see people enjoying the park before or after the event. Those who really want a fun challenge will run the same distance of their race the day before or the day after. This is a great training exercise for longer ultras. Participants will be required to pay the $5 per person entrance fee. Boats are for rent and all other activities are free.
The Cause
All proceeds will go to benefit a local 501c3 non-profit called “The Phoenix House,” which is a transitional residential substance abuse treatment center. Their slogan typifies our event, “From the Ashes we Rise.”
The Name
The name “Phoenix” is a tribute to the Phoenix House, but it also symbolizes the death and re-birth that often happens on a really long run. We run, we fall apart, we come back to life again.
The Course
The four mile course will start at the south trailhead and go North, follow the Ridge Loop counterclockwise, then finish at the start line. The 12.5 mile course will start at the south trailhead, continue south on the Lakeside trail, and follow the Tashka loop around the lake, finishing back at the start. All other distances will involve multiples of the Tashka loop. The course consists of 92% single track trails, 8% paved park roads. the trail is well maintained, but does have the standard roots and rocks and hills – it’s a trail race, for crying out loud. The course will be well marked. All you have to do is stay on the Tashka main trail and don’t take any side loops. You would have to try pretty hard to get off course. The elevation gain for one Tashka loop is 1,060 feet. You can do the math for the other distances. The 62 mile, or 100k, for example, will be five loops so it will have 5,300 feet of gain. The max elevation is 435 ft.
The Nuts and Bolts
You can easily set up your own personal aid station at the start / finish by staging your gear in your car or setting up a space near the chute.
We recommend you carry water and desired nutrition, using aid stations as back up.
Any runners headed out on a loop after 4 pm will need a headlamp.
First, Second, and Third place awards will be given for each distance. No male / female categories and no age group awards. We will have an award for everyone who achieves a time or distance PR.
Run the main loop in under 2 hours and get the coolest sticker in town.
Unless we have severe, severe weather. the race will go on. If we have to cancel because of crazy weather or something beyond our control, we will still hold the race the following Saturday if conditions allow.
The Sponsor
This race is sponsored by the great folks at Fleet Feet of Tuscaloosa. They are doing an amazing job of promoting all things running in our community and we’re very grateful they have stepped in to fully sponsor this trail running cornucopia.
The Lottery
We thought we were joking when we added this section, then we had so many people sign up we had to cap registration and we ended up having a lottery after all. Moral to the story: don’t wait to sign up; it might fill up!
The Runner’s Manual
Run Far.
Have Fun.
“I wrote it myself” – Ron Swanson
LESS
Incredibly approachable ultramarathon!
The Phoenix Trail Fest was an awesome race! The coolest thing about the event (and why I ended up signing up) is that is extremely approachable for someone that has … MORE
The Phoenix Trail Fest was an awesome race!
The coolest thing about the event (and why I ended up signing up) is that is extremely approachable for someone that has never done an ultramarathon before. In fact, my longest event before I did the 37.5 mile distance was a half marathon. Their whole thing is that you can sign up for any of the distances (4, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, 100K) and while you are running the race you can decide to finish the distance you picked, go for a longer run, or stop after a shorter one.
As a result, this is a GREAT event for setting distance PRs.
Oh, and did I mention that you get a sweet sticker if you set a PR? And, did I mention that you get a sweet 3D WOODEN medal when you finish? Those are in addition to the standard t-shirt and some other goodies in the swag bag.
Also, the race director Brandon Kasteler is amazing. Not only is he an experienced ultramarathoner, but he also really cares about the running community and wants to see everything succeed.
The course is also approachable with about 100 feet of vert per mile, great views of the lake, and some interesting features.
Aid stations were on point with all of the usual suspects, including HOT food in the middle of the woods.
Oh, and you get to bang a gong in the middle of the woods too, epic!
Already signed up for 2024!