BALLWIN, MO. – Our opening course for the 2021 Trail Run Series will feature a new Race HQ, a new Start Line a new Finish Line and new dedicated parking for racers. Nothing like changing a few things up!
Thanks to some new regulations put in place by Castlewood State Park, we have a new Race HQ at the end of Kieffer Creek Rd. When you enter the park, you’ll follow the road to the gate at the train tunnel. There, you’ll show your registration ticket to the friendly Alpine Shop staff member there and they will let you through to the dedicated parking area on the south side of the park. We have over 160 spots dedicated to Trail Run Series participants.
Race HQ will be on the right hand side of the road and will feature registration before the race and food and refreshments afterwards.
Race start time will be back in front of the train tunnel at 6:15 pm. It is approximately 0.45 miles from race HQ to the starting line. (Just be prepared!)
We’ll head head up Kieffer Creek road until we take a sharp left and head up the usual bike descent path up to the River Scene Trail. We’ll follow River Scene for about a quarter of a mile on some steep rocky trails with gorgeous views of the Meramec River below before heading right and descending down Lone Wolf Trail – one of the fastest and most exhilarating running trails in the Midwest. We’ll cross Kieffer Creek when we reach the bottom and meet up with the Grotpeter Trail for a quick third of a mile where we’ll reach our Aid Station near the Park Office.
From there, we’ll immediately head back uphill on the Midway/Office Connector until it meets Grotpeter once again. Take a right turn and follow it to the intersection of the Fern Glen Connector and fly downhill all the way back to the valley floor.
You’ll head left down Kieffer Creek Road back under the train tunnel and hang a left down the River Scene Trail. You’ll go past the parking lot and come around it on the Southeast side, avoiding any cars in the parking lot. The finish line will be directly in front of you in the open meadow!
Enjoy some Schlafly and Urban Chestnut Brewing Company Beer, some hot dogs and other refreshments at Race HQ following your race.
Approximate total distance of the race is 4 miles. Lowest elevation: 407 ft above sea level. Highest elevation: 633 ft.
