HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville is a trail blazer – be it cutting edge biotechnology, rockets, high tech or business.
And, Huntsvillians are trail blazers – literally.
According to run.outsideonline.com, the Rocket City is a hotbed of trail runners.
“… It has an abundance of nearby trail systems in the 2,100-acre Monte Sano State Park — including its namesake peak that tops out at a modest but challenging 1,621 feet — and several nature preserves of the Land Trust of North Alabama that surround the city,” the publication said. “But runner beware, what Huntsville might lack in vert or altitude, it makes up for in rocky, technical trails and thick humidity.”
The publication cites the area’s large running community and the weekday and weekend group runs with credit to the Huntsville Track Club, which has been setting the pace since 1971.
‘It’s really not hard to find a good group run three or four times per week in Huntsville,’ said Martin Schneekloth, a serial 100-mile ultrarunner and longtime Huntsville resident. “It’s a very cohesive and inclusive community, especially for new people who move to town, and I think that’s what makes Huntsville special. And not just among runners, but among mountain bikers and cyclists, too.
“There’s always a friendly wave and a lot of genuine interaction.”
Best Runs: Numerous loops within Monte Sano State Park offer challenging terrain and scenic views, including the 6.4-mile Mountain Mist Loop, the 2.5-mile North Plateau Loop, and the 3.3-mile South Plateau Loop. Be sure to check out the Wade Mountain Loop via Devil’s Racetrack Trail and Rockwall Trail within Wade Mountain Nature Preserve, a 5.9-mile loop with nearly 800 feet of vertical climbing and descending. The Sugar Tree Trail to Varnedoe Trail to Overlook is a 6.9-mile out-and-back route with 1,000 feet of climbing in Blevins Gap Nature Preserve, while Arrowhead Trail is a wooded 6-mile loop adjacent to Big Cat Creek. Believe it or not, there’s also a Huntsville 14ers challenge that’s a bit of a play on Nolan’s 14 test in Colorado. But instead of linking several 14,000-foot peaks, this 50K route links eight summits above 1,400 feet on the east and north side of Huntsville. Local runner Ryan Harbaugh came up with it a few years ago and it’s proved to be a vigorous training run for some of the heartiest Huntsville trail runners.
Local Races: The biggest and most notable trail race is the late-January Mountain Mist 50K, a very challenging race at Monte Sano State Park that attracts local stalwarts, national-caliber runners, and plenty of newcomers through the years. It includes extremely rocky mountain trails, lots of mud, and creek crossings, plus 3,872 feet of climbing. Other local trail races include the McKay Hollow Madness 25K/12K in late March and the Dizzy Fifties Trail Run 50K in mid-November.
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