The 29th Mountain Mist 50K is designed to challenge runners with some of the most rugged trails on Monte Sano.
It’s also attractive to runners from outside the easy drive in the Southeast, according to the registration list at Friday’s bib pickup at Monte Sano State Park. More than 490 are registered for the annual ultramarathon that will start at 7 a.m. Saturday in Monte Sano State Park. The event typically is held the last weekend in January, presenting runners with a wide variety of potential weather and trail challenges.
At a quick glance of registration, about 260 of the entries are Alabama residents. Of the rest, the Southeast claims the biggest chunk: Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, the Carolinas and Louisiana. Not a surprise, right? It’s easy to drive in on Friday and drive home Saturday or Sunday.
But some other states in the list might turn some heads: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Oregon, California, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Texas and Minnesota.
Twenty-three states in, with almost half from outside of Alabama. If those 230-ish out-of-state runners spent $250 on a hotel room, gas, food and other expenses, that’s a bump of $65,000 to the local economy. Obviously, there’s going to be on a curve with some spending more, some spending less, etc. But it’s clear the Mountain Mist 50K is a big event in the trail running world and contributes to our city’s coffers.
First Time, 100th Time
More than a few runners picking up bibs were doing so for their first Mountain Mist 50K, with a mix of excitement and trepidation.
“Good luck” is about the best anyone can tell them. If they’ve been around trails for a while, they know the deal. Mountain Mist has about 4,000 feet of climbing, including the infamous Waterline Trail on the Land Trust property. That trail and others are part of the Monte Sano Nature Preserve.
On the other hand, Benji Lance of Huntsville is going for his 100th ultra on Saturday. He’s a Mountain Mist veteran, along with other top events including the Upchuck 50K, Pikes Peak Marathon and Lookout Mountain 50 Miler under his belt.
Weather Forecast
Nothing much has changed with the Wunderground forecast for overnight and Saturday: low of 32 degrees with clear skies, and a high Saturday of 59 degrees with sunshine. Winds are to be “light and variable,” out of the SSE at 5-10 mph.
In short, pretty much perfect for being on the trails. Wind the last few days should’ve dried out, at least somewhat, most of the Land Trust trails on the west side of Monte Sano and those in the state park. The trails on the north-northeast side of the park (Cold Springs, Bankhead) may still be a bit slick because the SSE wind is blocked by Monte Sano.
If McKay Hollow’s trails ever dry out, someone send up a flare. Creeks in the state park were running pretty good Friday, which means all that’s going down down down into the hollow. Fun in the mud awaits before the climb to Rest Shelter and the final dash to the finish.
Final Touches
Race founder and director Dink Taylor was bouncing around like a pinball Friday, putting out fires and taking care of the final things. The finish line had been put up with two towering skeletons — a running skeleton is the race mascot — and bib checkers were expecting a post-work evening flurry.
“Wide open,” Taylor said in a brief moment when asked how things were going. “Just getting everything done today that can be done, instead of in the morning.”
Bib pickup will be available prior to the 7 a.m. start but runners should arrive early.
The Mountain Mist 50K is sponsored by Yellowhammer Brewing, which contributed 800 cans of locally-brewed beer, and Gold Strike Coffee. Huntsville Track Club facilitated the scoring and course management.
