Saturday/Sunday, September 3/4, 2011 – 4:00 PM
CHESTER, SC
Check-in Starts at 2:30PM
Trail Briefing 3:45 PM
In 2010, Woods Ferry 24 Hour was introduced as the RD’s Birthday run, so she could run run her age in 24 hours. The event was so popular and so much fun that it is back again, but not specifically as the RD’s Birthday run since the date has changed, however, she would still like to try to run her age and you, too, can run your age or more in twenty-four. The run starts at the picnic pavillon on the banks of the Broad River in Woods Ferry Recreation Area, located in Sumter National Forest about 22 miles from Chester.
As of July 31, 2011, the course has been revised and somewhat changed from the course used in 2010. After spending this morning on the trails at Woods Ferry on a very hot and humid day, I have decided to shorten the loop and make it somewhat easier by deleting some hills and rocky sections. The 2011 course will only do part of the Blue Loop, the Yellow Loop with only about 1/2 mile along the power lines, then will turn back into the woods on single-track trail and the Purple out-and-back trail. A map of the Woods Ferry Trails can be found at www.sctrails.net.
The course will be well-marked with blazes painted on trees plus orange ribbons, orange flags, paper plates and glow-sticks during the night. You can run as many hours and as many miles as you want during the 24 Hour period, even leaving the course, taking a nap or what-ever, and return to the course. Just notify aid station personnel when you leave and return. For this race to count as part of the series, runners must complete at least 3 loops.
The course is a lollipop – a 1.25 mile out-and-back connecting to a 4.5 mile loop making an approximate distance of 7 miles that will be repeated for 24 hours. I will have a more exact measurement of the distance by raceday. The course covers rolling, wooded trails, consisting of both single-track and double-track. There are some rocks and roots, some hills, 2 stream crossings with no water today, overall, quite runnable. Because the trails are designated hiking/horses, there could be some rough spots from horse traffic. As of today, it appeared the trails had seen very little use from horses or anyone recently. There were some downed trees, but I have asked the Forest Service to try to do some trail maintenance before the run.
After each lap, runners will pass by the picnic shelter where there will be a fully-stocked aid station which will serve a wide variety of hot and cold foods and drinks all day and all night, including homemade soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza and pancakes. There will also be an aid station about midway on the loop.
The course will be well-marked with blazes painted on trees plus orange ribbons, orange flags, paper plates and glow-sticks during the night. You can run as many hours and as many miles as you want during the 24 Hour period, even leaving the course, taking a nap or what-ever, and return to the course. Just notify aid station personnel when you leave and return. For this race to count as part of the series, runners must complete at least 5 loops. Completing 4 loops or more will get you a finisher’s medal.
There are 30 campsites, $7 per night fee, at Woods Ferry, restrooms with flush toilets (6 Mens and 6 Womens), 4 showers and water spigots. Saturday night only, tents can also be pitched in the picnic area. Nearest motels would be in Chester or Union, about 25 miles away.
Directions to Woods Ferry:
From Highway 121 and 72, go north on SC Secondary route 25, West End Road becoming Leeds Road, for 2.1 miles to SC Secondary route 49, Woods Ferry Road. Continue on 49 for 3.6 miles to SC Secondary route 574, turn left and go 3.6 miles to Woods Ferry. On Highway 121/72, there is a brown sign for Woods Ferry Recreation Area and a sign for Leeds. At 574, there is another brown sign for the recreation area.
From Highway 9: Go south on SC Secondary route 49, Woods Ferry Road, to SC Secondary route 574, turn right. There are also the brown Woods Ferry Recreation Area signs on Highway 9.
Please bring your own hydration packs and any specific nutritional needs you might have, as the aid stations, while well-stocked, may not cover all dietary preferences. Additionally, consider packing insect repellent and sunscreen, as the trail can get quite exposed in some areas during the day. Safety is a priority, so please make sure you have a reliable headlamp or flashlight for the nighttime portion of the run, as visibility can be challenging even with the glow-sticks marking the course. Remember to check the weather forecast closer to the event and prepare for variable conditions, as the area can experience sudden changes. Lastly, let’s keep this event fun and supportive -cheer on your fellow runners and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with tackling this 24-hour challenge together!