The Fire on the Mountain Ultra Marathon course measures approximately 32.8 miles and features an out-and-back presentation in a style similar to the beloved Catoctin 50K. However, the RD does not feel this course runs like a traditional out-and-back course in that the experience in the reverse direction, especially the final quarter of the race, is a very different experience than what runners traversed on the first quarter of the race. Come on out and try a training run if you don’t believe it.
The course will, as always, start at Point Lookout on Carroll Road in the southeast corner of Green Ridge State Forest’s 48,000-plus acres. After 0.2 miles of dirt road and about 1 mile of downhill on hardcap, runners will enter the Long Pond (red) trail. The red trail intersects with the Deep Run/Big Run (green) trail, which takes you to Kirk Road and Log Roll Overlook (at mile 16.4, it remains the “oasis” and midway as in FOTM’s first five years).
Runners simply retrace their steps back 16.4 miles to reach the finish line. The course change significantly lowers the cost of staging the event by eliminating the need for buses. As for degree of difficulty, the RD thinks it’s harder than before.
“Anyone who has not run the red trail in reverse direction might understandably think, at least at first, that it’s a boring out-and-back deal,” Kevin Spradlin said. “But the red trail in particular is a very different sort of adventure going back than going towards the midway point. There’s plenty of, ‘hold-onto-that-tree’ moments as well as, ‘I-have-to-climb-this?’ and ‘is-that-the-trail?’” The course change keeps my favorite part of the race, the red trail. And then, of course, there’s that last mile.
The whole idea of staging Fire on the Mountain was to welcome new visitors and returning visitors alike to Green Ridge State Forest. This race is contested now solely on the red and green trails, but the blue, purple and orange trails are definitely worth checking out at any times. Unofficial GPS estimates that the course offers 5,387 feet in elevation gain/loss during the 32.8(ish) miles.
Red trail
Highest point is 985 feet above sea level (at the ridge overlooking Long Pond). Lowest point is 465 feet above sea level (near the canal, which you won’t see during race). Difference in elevation is 520 feet (but let’s see if your legs think it’s that easy).
Green trail
Highest point is 1,268 feet above sea level (at the divide of Big Run and Deep Run). Lowest point is 740 feet above sea level (at the intersecction of red trail and green trail). Difference in elevation of about 528 feet.
Drop bag info
You will bring your own drop bag and put it into a designated vehicle on race morning. The bags will be available at Aid Station 4 (mile 16.4, the “oasis”). Don’t put car keys in the bags! The bags might not beat you to the finish line. And if you forget to pick up your drop bag and request us to mail it, we might (if we can find it) but you will incur the wrath of the RD. It takes not only money, but time, and sometimes that’s difficult to come by in a household of four children (ages 19, 17, 9 and 5). Yes, those children are available for rent.
2-person relay details
Transportation for the relay is the responsibility of the participants. Each person runs approximately 16.4 miles. Runner 1 toes the start line at 7 a.m. with the 50K starters. Runner 2 meets Runner 1 at the midway point (intersection of Kirk Road and Green Ridge Road). Runner 2 runs, and Runner 1 drives Runner 2’s vehicle back to the start/finish area. Runner 2 can follow event volunteers from the start to Aid Station 1 and 2 (not AS 3) before driving to AS 4 in plenty of time to warm up and prep for Runner 1.
All finishers under the official cutoff time of 10 hours will receive a finisher’s premium. Take pride in it – you earned it. If you didn’t earn it, please don’t ask for it. It is unlikely a runner will negative-split this course, especially if it takes that runner 5 hours to reach the midway point.
All finishers under the official 10-hour limit will receive a shirt.
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