Updated course description (you can print this section and carry it with you in a ziplog bag on race day)
* 7:30 a.m. Start at Point Lookout near Little Orleans
* First 0.2 miles on logging road, turn right
* Next 1 mile (ish) on mix gravel/hardcap
* Turn left onto Long Pond Trail (red trail) for approximately 4.4 miles to Aid Station 1
* Turn right on Dug Hill Road (logging road) for 1 mile
* Turn right to return to red trail for 2.3 miles to Aid Station 2
* Cross over one-land bridge, enter Deep Run/Big Run Trail (green trail) for about 4 miles, passing Aid Station 3
* Cross Mertens Avenue (unmarked, follow race signs and ribbon) at a slight diagonal and continue on green trail for another 3.5 miles
* Turn right onto Kirk Road (unmarked - follow race signs and ribbon) and go up logging road for about 0.2 miles
* Cross Green Ridge Road into Log Roll Overlook (will be guided by signs/volunteers) and "oasis"/midway point/relay exchange.
* Turn left (north) onto Green Ridge Road for about 1.6 miles
* Turn left onto Jacobs Road for a fast 6.9 miles (only 1 real hill)
* Turn left onto Mountain Bike Trail (purple trail - will be marked by race sign/ribbon). The rest of the race is on the purple trail. Runners will cross six roads/logging roads but follow signs/ribbon to stay on purple trail. A runner's official time stops when he or she throws a log/branch onto the bonfire.
Aid Station No. 1 - 5.6 miles (3.3 miles to next AS)
Aid Station No. 2 - 8.9 miles (3.8 miles to next AS)
Aid Station No. 3 - 12.7 miles (3.7 miles to next AS)
Aid Station No. 4 - - "oasis" and relay exchange zone - 16.4 miles (6.4 miles to next AS)
Aid Station No. 5 - 22.8 miles (4.4 miles to next AS)
Aid Station No. 6 - 27.2 miles (4.9 miles to finish)
Click on trail images for larger versions.
Course map (click on image for larger version) - here's a PDF
Much like the Catoctin 50K course, the course is well maintained and marked (in this case, by DNR). There will be very little, if any, race-related markings. Despite that, there likely will only be the rare moment of indecision for runners (who should study the course map before Oct. 31).
Race-related markings include directional arrow signs (black arrows on orange paper, placed about knee-high at major intersections) and hunter-orange ribbon (usually eye-level or so to get your attention).
If while on any of the trails (red, green or purple) you travel more than a couple hundred feet without seeing one of these markings - or a race sign or ribbon - you need to check your location.
Long Pond = Red Trail
Deep Run/Big Run = Green Trail
Mountain Bike = Purple Trail
Mountain Bike = Purple Trail
You'll see these signs occasionally - twice during the red trail section and about 10-12 times during the purple trail section.
Wherever they point to go, you go. The signs will be about knee-high.
Entrance to Mountain Bike (purple) Trail after 8.5 miles on logging roads. Click on image - note purple mark on tree, orange ribbon and mountain bike trail sign.
* At many points along the trail - especially the purple trail - there will be orange surveyor ribbon hanging from various trees to guide to along the way. Remember - ORANGE.
Click on trail images for larger versions.
Mountain Maryland Marathon Club * 14305 Bald Knob Road * Mount Savage, MD 21545 * 301-264-3147 * [email protected]