Big Hill Pond’s 50/25K will have something for everyone. The race will have 31 or 15.5 miles made up almost entirely of single track trail with only a little park road to help string out the competition. The race will feature a fire tower that you will have to climb, …
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Big Hill Pond’s 50/25K will have something for everyone. The race will have 31 or 15.5 miles made up almost entirely of single track trail with only a little park road to help string out the competition. The race will feature a fire tower that you will have to climb, and a swamp boardwalk that is over a half mile across. The history of the area comes from the local sheriff Buford Pusser, who is known for his virtual one-man war on moonshining, prostitution, gambling, and other vices along the Mississippi–Tennessee state line. The race will offer enough scenery and elevation for the most grizzled trail runner but should be doable for the well-trained first timer.
Fire Tower
The fire tower is something special to this race and as such it will be treated special. However, we understand some people have a true fear of heights and we do not want to exclude them from the event and a chance to see Big Hill Pond State Park. Here is our solution. We are going to add a challenge coin to the bling at the end of the race. If you go to the top of the tower and get your bib punched at the top when you complete the race you will receive your finishers item and also a special fire tower challenge coin. To place in the top 3 or get a course record you have no choice but to go to the top. However, if you decide to miss out on the best view in this half of Tennessee you can do the same number of stairs on the first floor of the tower and still be a legit finisher.
50K Course Information
50K Course runs the same as the 25K until right before the finish/split of the 25K. At which point a drop bag will be available if you have one and a full aid station. At that point you will turn left out of the campground and run the other side of Big Hill Pond State Park.
General Info
Walking Tall has a strict 9 hour cut for the 50K and an 8 hour cut for the 25K. The event will end promptly at 4 p.m. to ensure everyone is off the course and the volunteers are finished before dark. That means you need to maintain a 17 minute 14 second mile average. The only true cut on the course is at the inbound railroad tracks at 2:30 which is mile 26.1. This will not be easy so be respectful if you are asked to drop. You may not change distances during the event.
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