Overview. This is such a G-R-E-A-T trail half marathon - private land, camping at the start/finish, loads of good running, a few challenging steeps, four arches, an overlook, finish line beer, and volunteer support beyond anything I’ve ever seen on trail. It was so good that I already signed up for next year and created a team (Kentucky Hikers) - more on that below. Also, I’d put this up there with Land Between the Lakes Trail Races as among the most runnable courses in Kentucky.

Join the Team for 2025. You can sign-up using the link below to join the ‘Kentucky Hikers’ team for next year’s race. I want to see more hikers do a little running out there because it’s super fun, training improves your physical fitness (giving you the ability to hike more miles and see more pretty things), and when you finish a trail race, you feel like a badass - and that isn’t only the beer talkin’ either. Slap the button below and register for a good time. We’ll do some meet-ups for training runs and hikes ahead of the race, and we’ll try to get a group campsite to enjoy the race weekend. AND, if you do the early bird, it’s hellacheap too - and I’m a cheap ass for sure!

Course Overview
Route Type | Loop
Total Distance | 13.4 miles
Elevation Gain | 2,864 feet
Physical Demand | Moderate with Short Steeps
Navigational Challenge | Beginner

Highlights by Mile Marker
Start/Finish | 0/13.4
Golden Cathedral Arch | 7.3
Timothy Branch Overlook | 9.6
Inspiration Arch | 10.2
(based on Coros data)

Parking. Ample parking is available for the race at Natural Bridge Campground located next to the Junior Williamson Rest Area. Just be sure to make the quick left turn away from the rest area and down L&E Railroad Place. AND, if you gotta go on race morning, the rest area is very convenient.

Course Navigation. The course was exceptionally well marked, and I’ve never seen so many course marshals at a trail race. There are plenty of ribbons, signs, and people to keep you on course - ideal for first-timers. If you’d like to download the course map, the official .gpx file is linked above.

Course Conditions. Most of the course is on forest roads with short sections on single track - some of which were freshly cut and likely are used only for the race. The steepest pitches on course were single track with a couple steep doubletrack roads that were runnable, but definitely steep enough to crush your quads. Regardless, the course was delightful to run with long stretches of easy surface and grade. Also, shout-out to the folks who cleared the trails for the race - it was in perfect shape!

Aid Stations. There were five (?) aid stations on the course, and they were stocked with water ONLY. Also, Wolfe County Search and Rescue was on course, so if things went sideways for anyone, there was a top notch team ready to render aid. Be sure to bring your own calories and electrolytes - this is a bring your own calories race!

Race Hydration/Nutrition. I drank 1.5L of Body Armor (360 calories), took 3 SaltStick capsules, sucked down 2 Gu Gels (200 calories), and refilled 1.5L of water on course. I felt good throughout the race and only wish I’d filled a little more water before hitting the biggest climb on the course at mile 10 - would’ve been nice to have some extra water to clean the salt off my face. Next time around, I’d add two gels, use Tailwind for more calories, and a baggie of Pringles.

Photo Ops. There are three spots on course that make for some great photos - Golden Cathedral Arch (one of my favorites in Kentucky), Timothy Branch Overlook, and Adventure Mountain Arch. Just remember to bring a towel to clean the camera lens on your phone because it’ll get steamy.

Race Recap. I ran a very even keel race, and my plantar fasciitis wasn’t too much of a problem. Trail races under a marathon are often referred to as ‘fun runs’ and this certainly was the case for me. I took my time, kept my heart rate low on everything except the steepest uphill sections, and got lots of great pictures while out there - taking many more for other runners at the arches and overlook.

The race was well attended with 200+ runners and plenty of room for more. With so much doubletrack, passing lanes were readily available. I finished near the back of the pack as usual, but with plenty of time left on the 5.5 hour cutoff clock. Looking at the results, I was 209th of 231 finishers in a time of 4:41:50 with about a half hour of picture taking in there. It also looks like that cutoff time is soft with a couple folks coming in late which is cool.

Also, shout-out to my friend, May, who won her age group (2:38:36); Chad for winning his age group (2:19:34), and Nichole for running a really tidy race and looking ready to go backpacking another 13 miles after her finish (3:45:26). BTW, backpacking is a nice way to get in shape for races - it’s nice not carrying around your house, bed, blankets, kitchen, and pantry;-)

Next year, I’ll probably run about the same kind of race and stop just as long for pictures and to enjoy the course. I’d love to explore that property over the course of a couple weeks. It’s loaded with arches that aren’t in the public database at kylandforms.com

Meh, either way, it fits nicely in the calendar - run this next year, then Cloudsplitter the following weekend.