The 2023 Lake martin 100, 50 & 27 Preview Run
Click on the image below to watch the 2020 Preview Run by Suman Silwal (Marathon Runs)
2023 Lake Martin 100, 50 & 27 preview run, February 18th
Each year we hold a Lake Martin Preview Run, on the course, about one month before the race. This year the preview run will be Saturday, February 18th. Everyone is welcome, even if you do not intend to run the race. It’s a great chance to see the entire course before the race. We will meet Russell Crossroads, location of the Cabin Start/Finish, at 7:30AM. Everyone must fill out a Russell Lands Release before running. Follow the link below to Russell Lands Day Pass and print and fill out the pass. Bring it with you to the run. There is no fee for runners or hikers to use the 100+ miles of trails on the 25,000 Acres of the Russell Forest Trail System.
If you are not familiar with the course, it is a 25 mile loop divided into an 18 mile north loop and a 7 mile south loop. We will run the north 18 mile loop first and return to the cars. Then, we will run the South 7 mile loop. If you do not want to run the entire 25 mile loop, you can stop at the cabins at 18 miles. It's not even necessary to run the full 18 mile section. You can jump out at mile 8 or 12.5, with only a mile run back to the cars. Actually, there are other places you can leave the run, with a mile run or less back to the cars. We do need to maintain about an 18 minute pace to be sure we are off the trails well before dark.
There will likely be two pace groups, a fast group and a slow group. I will led the slow group. The slow group will be a "no-one-left-behind" run. We will regroup at each trail change or road crossing. The fast group will maintain a reasonable pace but may not stop to regroup. If you start in the fast group and are dropped, wait for the slow group. If you don't know the course, it can be very confusing. I will blow off all the trails before the preview run. They get very little use over the winter and sections are totally buried in leaves. We will have water and aid station supplies at Heaven Hill but you will need to carry water with you. More details are on the Lake Martin Webpage and Lake Martin FB Page. (And, my FB page)
Here is a map from McDonald's on Hwy 280 to the Cabin in Russell Crossroads
The address is: 17 Russell Farms Road, Alexander City, AL 35010. GPS Coordinates are: 32.764355, -85.945177
If you prefer, we will caravan/carpool from the McDonald's on Hwy 280 in Chelsea. I will be the the McDonald's about 5:45 AM and we will leave for Russell Crossroads at 6:00 sharp. The address of the McDonald's is 16758 Co Rd 280, Chelsea, AL 35043. Be sure to bring a hydration pack or handheld bottle with you. I will stash water at Heaven Hill, but it's a long 8 miles to HH! We always take a break at HH and again at the Cabin. Bring a few snacks.
Russell Lands has a Trail App that will help you stay on the trails and, at least, know where you are in relation to the cars. (It will NOT help you stay on the course.) You can get the Russell Lands Trail App here: https://russellcrossroads.com/russellforest.html
*** If you plan to join us, please print the Day Pass/Liability Waiver below and bring it with you. Russell Lands Day Pass: https://www.russelllands.com/assets/pdf/RFTA-day-pass-release-and-indemnity.pdf
Here is a YouTube video done by Marathon Runs (Suman Silwal) at the 2022 Lake Martin 100 Preview Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkmVr4Wx9-E
https://www.facebook.com/MarathonRuns/videos/82289
8478062147/