Registration is open for the Blue Heron Hundreds on Labor Day weekend, with slight changes made for this year’s event.
Runners this year can choose 100-mile, 100K, marathon or 5K events. The 20-mile fun run has been eliminated. A 5K fundraiser has been added on Sunday morning, too, with proceeds to benefit the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge Association.
The course is on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, a 19.4-mile loop on flat, crushed limestone roads. Cutoff is 32 hours for all events. The course is certified. Runners will do five 19.4-mile loops for the 100-mile, three loops for the 100K and one plus little extra for the marathon.
Diana Cioppi won the 2022 Heron 100-mile by 11 minutes. It was the first official 100-mile endurance run in north Alabama. Ten runners completed the 100 miles to earn their Heron buckle. Nine finished the 100K, and 32 completed the 20-mile event.
The event is based at and starts at the Singing River Trail headquarters in Mooresville. Runners make the loop on refuge roads that take them through hardwood forests, along the Tennessee River, past agricultural fields, and with vistas of the refuge and wildlife. Two aid stations are strategically placed. Runners may have drop bags taken out on the course, but no crews are allowed on the course. Crews can assist at the start/finish area.
Temperatures in 2022 were comfortable until about 9:30 or 10 a.m., and overnight storms provided a bit of a twist. Aid stations are manned throughout the event.
Find out more information and how to register for the Blue Heron Hundreds here.
