There were 577 runners doing the 50k race. This was my first trail run and I didn't know the course at all. We arrived at the park on Friday night after dark and I wasn't able to look around and get some idea of the layout.

The first mistake I made was not starting toward the front, the race started and we ran down the park road for about 1/2 mile before getting on our first trail. It was a single track with not much of a way to pass anyone. Because of this, my first 6 miles was much slower than I wanted. I started the first loop at 1:04. About 10:30 pace.

The next three hours I covered about 19 miles about a 9:30 pace. Then with 6 miles to go - I went into survival mode and started a run/walk combination - mostly a slow jog (or slog as I have heard it called). The last six miles took me about 1:12 12:00 pace.

Overall things went well for my first race over a marathon. I only fell one time, didn't break my toes on the stumps or get cramps!

Get out toward the front of the pack prior to hitting the first trail.

Train more on trails.

Walked around, headed for the lunch tent and got a hamburger.


I can't say enough about Sunmart. It was the best race, hands down that I have done. The setting is perfect, a State Park. My family and I stayed in our travel trailer less than 1/2 mile walk to the start/finish line.

The only thing that is hard, is that the packet pickup is on Friday in Houston (about a 50 mile drive from Huntsville). This was not convenient if you stay at the park or are driving in from the north.

But this is small compared to the organization of this race. It is very well done and I plan on being back to do it again.


One comment about Aaron (JeepFleeb) - I had a hard enough time navigating through the woods without falling on the stumps, rocks and dodging trees - while Aaron was running faster and carried the flag through all of that. Impressive!