The 2022 Alpine Shop Trail Run Series continues with Race #3 on Thursday, August 18, at 6:15 pm with a little bit shorter trail for you this week. With the sun beginning to set earlier in the evening, we’ll move to shorter courses for the rest of the month.
Race HQ remains at the same pavilion and is closest to the Weidman Rd. entrance to the park—the West side. Enter the park and head up the hill. Take the first left you can and follow the road until it ends at the large parking lot. Race HQ will be at almost the exact opposite side of the parking lot, in the Northeast corner.
Alpine Shop is proud to welcome back Optimal Performance Center to the Trail Run Series. They’ll be set up at Race HQ, as they have been for every Trail Run Series race since 2015, ready to help you before or after the run.
We’re also happy to welcome Altra Footwear this evening where they’ll have shoes to demo if you feel like it, as well as swag to give away at the end of the evening. Altra is famous for their comfortable zero-drop shoes and are definitely a brand you should consider demoing.
Race start time will be at 6:15 pm at the Northwest corner of the parking lot.
From the start, you’ll be on the plateau of Hawk Ridge with a relatively flat and wide section to work out your place in the crowd. You’ll have about .3 miles to jockey for position before we’ll hang a right at the fork and head down the steep descent of Fox Run Trail.
As we hit the bottom of the hill, be ready to make a sharp left turn up Owl Creek Trail. You’ll face about a half-mile of climb back to Hawk Ridge. As you complete the climb, we’ll actually see White Oak Trail come in on the right hand side. And Hawk Ridge will actually make a “T” at Owl Creek. Just ignore both of those turns and stay straight ahead to join our path on Hawk Ridge.
We’ll follow Hawk Ridge all the way around the Northwest corner of the park until we meet up with the Dogwood Trail. Stay to the right and follow alongside the two small ponds (which will be just on your right).
At roughly the 2.2 mile mark, we’ll join the White Oak Trail coming in on your right. Stay to the left to make a quick descent to the creek bottom and then you get to start your climb back up the hillside.
We’ll join back up, once again, with the Hawk Ridge Trail at around the 2.5 mile mark. Make a right and stay along the straight away for about three tenths of a mile before we make another right back on to the serpentine descent of Fox Run Trail.
We’ll be closing in on the finish line as we reach the bottom of the hill. Make a left turn onto Owl Creek Trail which you should be familiar with by now after last week’s route. Follow it alongside the Dog Park until you see the bridge for Winding Creek Trail, make a right and head back up the hill, staying to the right at every opportunity. You’ll see the finish line at the top of the hill!
*If you’re worried about the heat, we would recommend considering bringing a hand-held water bottle or hydration backpack. We will announce the location of the run’s hydration station closer to race day.
Enjoy some Schlafly Beer, some Great Harvest Bread Co. treats, some hot dogs and other refreshments at Race HQ following your race. And return your Altra’s if you demoed them!
Approximate total distance of the race is 3.59 miles. Lowest elevation: 509 ft above sea level. Highest elevation: 659
Registration is still available here or at race HQ the night of the race.