The annual Tick Ridge Trek trail runs are coming to an end Saturday after 10 years of hills, snow, mud, flooding, tasty chili, hot rock, cold beer, no mercy and a lot of fun.
Well, maybe a little mercy. While the annual 25K, 10K and 5K take place on private land in south-central Tennessee, there are no stick-snapping course monitors shooing folks along. The 25K runners have a time limit to get to the 8-mile aid station. And, sure, there’s a clock and medals and age awards all that fun stuff. But that’s a big thing: fun always has been a huge part of the event. Camping, campfires, venison chili, vegetarian chili, hot cheese sandos, lawn chairs and laughs … running community coolness at its finest.
The course is lovely, with scenic views from atop some of the mild hills and tractor trails through woods and pastures on private land. It is a solid event for new runners, especially the 10K and 5K events, with well-marked trails, aid stations and ample food at the finish line. Proceeds benefit the Wolf Gap History & Education Center. Team Rocket Tri Club of Huntsville puts on the event, with help from generous sponsors and volunteers. The event is one of two popular trail runs making its finale this year.
One sign of the popularity is how quickly Tick Ridge sold out each year. Race officials had to cap entries, and once the “Registration is open!” notice went out things moved quickly. It’s a testament to how well-run, organized and fun the event is, along with having solid sponsors, volunteers and a good cause for the entry fees.
Memories from Tick Ridge span the gamut. Snow in the first year was not unsurprising for February. The amount of rain in 2018 that fell about two hours before the start created flooding conditions and a crazy sloppy course. The 50K runners ended up with a doozy of an event. The 10K and 5k folks had some interesting times, too. What normally are fun trails and tractor-mowed pasture hills turned into a big ol’ muddy slip-n-slide. It was a fun mess.
We asked the Run256 crew on Facebook for their favorite memories of the Tick Ridge Trek:
Christy Scott — The snow during the first year was beautiful. But, I’ll NEVER forget our monsoon year of the 50k! The water got so much worse on the second loop and felt like we might get washed away. I was so proud of that finish!
Jay Hawkins, on his infant son — Sperry keeping the campers in the campground up till 10:00 pm two years in a row.
Naomi Flanigan — The awesomely beautiful snow the very first year and the 2018 mudfest! I fell 3 times, slid downhill more than once (when trying to go uphill), and took forever to finish the 10K. Then I had to grab a quick grilled cheese (which tasted divine!), drive quickly home, then take 15 minutes to shower and dress for a 1 pm call time for Valentine’s concerts I was performing in that afternoon and evening with the Huntsville Master Chorale!
And I almost forgot about 2020, when my brakes failed on me race morning when I was exiting 65S at exit 6. I barely managed to stop and then made it to the start very carefully, thankful for the grass to help slow down enough to park . It was an intermittent problem, so I did manage to make it home ok. Can’t wait to see what excitement this year will bring!
David Nast — Climbing the first hill on a beautiful morning.
Colleen Wilson-Hodge — Camping in the cold when my friends threw me a surprise birthday party- in 2016 I think
Sandra M. Saylor — I was surprised to see myself on the drone footage. Also, when I was volunteering a goat ran with some of the runners and stopped at the aid station.
Suzanne Erickson — The snowflakes of 2014 were magical!
Robert Youngren — I only ran the race twice (25km both times) and that was some time ago (2016). I remember my last race I was fighting so long to break a certain time and it always seemed so uncertain. I’d have a good stretch and think, I’ve got this! Then I’d hit a muddy messy patch or a big climb and just felt the time slipping (literally) away. Into the last couple of miles I knew I was right on the edge and then disaster happened. Somehow I zigged when I should’ve zagged and found myself off course!
I cursed myself, almost panicked then quickly backtracked and discovered my error. Back on course now I was running as hard as I could over the remaining mile; to me, literally flying along those grass fields at the end. No time to even look at my watch I ran for all I was worth. The finish line clock slowly getting bigger, I could see the final moments ticking away as I was now in an all out sprint! 1:59:30… 1:59:35… Crossed at 1:59:45, just 15 seconds under my sub-2 hour goal! Phew!
Jesse Lindsey-Smith — Reaching the finish line! 
the chili is delicious and always love hanging out around the campfire after the race.
James Hurley — Camping the very 1st year, and it snowed! The course is so beautiful all along the trails!
PHOTO: Runners at one Tick Ridge Trek had a happy goat unexpectedly join them on the trails and at the aid station. (Photo: Sandra M. Saylor)
