On a perfect morning at Monte Sano State Park, 434 runners took off at the starting gun in the 29th Mountain Mist 50K ultramarathon.
The field found clear skies and nippy temperatures in the mid-30s with no wind to start the 30.15-mile event. Temps were to climb into the mid-50s by midday. Sunshine and blue skies greeted the runners by the time they hit Goat and Mountain Mist trails in the park. From the Sinks, they wound around into the Land Trust trails and the west side of Monte Sano.
Cutoffs are strictly enforced, so the finishing number won’t be 434. Nothing new for ultras, though.
Along with the 50K title, a small number of runners are competing for the Huntsville Slam. It consists of the best aggregate times from the Dizzy Fifties 50K, Recover from the Holidays 50K, Rocket City Marathon and Mountain Mist. Also, nine runners are seeking their 10th finish and coveted Mist jacket.
Here’s the start of the 2023 Mountain Mist 50K:
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.
See all the results of the 50K here.
