Are you an ultra-runner? A half-marathoner? Looking for a great trail race in South Florida? EVERGLADES ULTRAS has a place saved just for you! Join us in Copeland, FL, near Everglades City, for the annual EVERGLADES ULTRAS trail races at Fakahatchee Strand Preserve. This is the Real Deal, Folks! We guarantee you’ve never run anything like it. But register early: the overall runner limit will be 300.
The race venue–the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park–is a Florida treasure. It is a beautiful and diverse wilderness located between “Alligator Alley” and Tamiami Trail in the Florida Everglades, 90 minutes from Miami and Fort Lauderdale. It is the largest state park in Florida covering 80,000 acres, and features a wide variety of Everglades habitats—bald cypress swamp lowlands, grassland prairie, tropical hardwood hammocks and pine rock lands. The Fakahatchee features the largest selection of species of orchids and bromeliads in North America. Living here are Florida panther, black bear, deer, alligator, bobcat, Everglades mink, diamondback terrapin and water fowl and migratory birds too numerous to count. Its groves of native royal palms are the largest in the state and the only place in the world where bald cypress and royal palm share the forest canopy.
Runners may see it all, traveling along old logging “trams”–raised trails preserved and maintained for access to various sections of the park. Fully provisioned aid stations are carefully placed along the race routes, which include views of the great diversity of the Fakahatchee. Weather conditions and rainfall can vary greatly in the Everglades. Specific race routes are designed each year to take advantage of these differences.
What: Three distinct trail races of 50 miles and 50 kilometers (31 miles) and 25 kilometers (15.6 miles). The races are fully aid-station supported. Note: The Fakahatchee is a wilderness area and nature preserve. Many miles of trails are cleared in advance of race day. Overgrown portions of some trails are literally re-opened by hand just a few days before the race. Routes are subject to change from year-to-year due to weather-related park conditions.
Where: The entrance to Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is located in Copeland, FL on State Route 29, fifteen miles south of Exit 80 on Interstate 75 (“Alligator Alley”), and 2.5 miles north of US 41, “Tamiami Trail”. Everglades City is five miles south of the park entrance on Route 29. “Fakahatchee Strand” is approximately 1 1/2 hour’s drive from downtown Fort Lauderdale and Miami.
When: The 50 mile race start is at 6:00am; cut-off is 8:30pm. The 50 kilometer race begins at 7:30am, with cut-off at 7:30pm. The 25 kilometer race begins at 9:00am with a 7:00pm finish cut-off time. A required orientation will be presented before each race at the starting line, with optional packet pick-up, orientation and park history with the Fakahatchee Manager on Friday at 5:00pm.
Support/Food: Full aid stations throughout the course. Burgers and beverages and more under the big tent at the race finish! Runner drop bags allowed at strategic locations.
Facilities/camping: Primitive tent or RV camping will be allowed the night before and night after the race next to Lake Harmon at the race headquarters/finish line area for a small fee. In addition, motels, cottages, B&B’s and formal campgrounds are located in Everglades City and surrounding areas. (Official “Race Hotel” is Ivy House, 239-695-3299) Restaurants and convenience stores are also available in Everglades City.
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First timers, nature enthusiasts
The 25K version if this race got me into ultra running. I came back in 2019 and did the 50K. Beautiful Florida forest running with some other varied terrain. The … MORE
The 25K version if this race got me into ultra running. I came back in 2019 and did the 50K. Beautiful Florida forest running with some other varied terrain. The four stakes prairie nearly killed me. This portion of the run alone makes me consider if I could even finish a 50 miler here. The prairie was slightly muddy, but the worst part was the unevenness. I thought for sure I had a stress fracture from all of the awkward footfalls. I am so grateful that the race director makes cut arounds in the trails for standing water, so runners don’t have to go through it. Other races pride themselves on making runners go through water. I think that’s just laziness or poor planning on a race director’s part for races longer than 10 miles or so. All it does is invite unnecessary foot issues. Aid stations are well stocked and staffed. Routes are usually well marked and volunteers are helpful guides. Another friendly, fun, well organized event by Bob Becker.