Do you have what it takes to complete the Huntsvile Slam, a four-event series combining road and trail running?
Registration is open for the annual winter challenge that begins Nov. 21 with the Dizzy Fifties 50K at Monte Sano State Park. That’s followed by the Rocket City Marathon on Dec. 13, Recover from the Holidays 50K on Dec. 31 at John Hunt Park and Mountain Mist 50K on Jan. 23 at the state park.
Within two months, that’s about 120 miles on the state park’s trails, John Hunt’s grass course and the city’s roads. Cumulative time comprises the final standings for men’s and women’s champions.
Registration is open, but Slam participants first must be registered for all four races by Dec. 5 and also for the Slam. That offers a small window between Dizzy Fifties and the deadline. Feeling frisky after Dizzy? Sign up. No joy after that one? Maybe opt for next year. Registering for all four events doesn’t automatically put you in the Slam, thus the registration specifically for it.
Race co-director Lindsey Shady said no changes are in effect for the Dizzy course or structure this year. But she encourages anyone considering the Slam to read the requirements before registering.
“The biggest thing I want to emphasize is that you must register for all four races individually, then a separate Slam registration, and before the December 5th (midnight) deadline!” Shady said. “You can’t run two or three races then send me an email begging to be let in. You can finish Dizzy 50k first, and then register for the Slam. There is a small window between!”
Dizzy Fifties is a 10-mile course on popular trails in the state park. The 50K runners do three loops, and Slam participants must do that. Dizzy also offers 20- and 10-mile options. Mountain Mist is a challenging 50K with fun incline on the second half of the course. Dizzy fills up with local athletes, and Mist attracts trail runners from across the country.
“I also like to emphasize that the Dizzy and Mist fields will fill up,” Shady said. “Dizzy will go to a wait list for the 50K, so there could be options for someone on the list. The time between Dizzy and the deadline gives people a bit of wiggle room for making the decision about the Slam. I’d really like to have more people in the Slam because it’s a cool challenge over the four events.”
Seth Rigsby of Huntsville and Karen Rudolph of Madison won the titles last year.
