Ridge to Blazing Ridge - Birmingham, Alabama - Running

The Ridge to Blazing Ridge is a Running race in Birmingham, Alabama consisting of a 10.5 Mile Trail Run and 21 Miles.

Start of The Ridge 2 Ridge 10.5 and 21 mile trail race at the Redbud Pavilion near the BMX track at Oak Mtn State Park. You will need to enter the park at the South Entrance. The north entrance does not open until 7:00 AM and if you go to it, you may miss the start. Here is a map link to the Redbud Pavilion from the south (southwest) entrance from I-65 near I-459. ?
Entry fee into the park is $5 per person. Please try to have the correct change.

ALL RUNNERS MUST CARRY WATER DURING THE RACE.
Bring a hydration belt or pack or carry hand held water bottles. You should also consume electrolytes during race. If you don't, you will become dehydrated and it is very likely you will not be able to finish. Worse, you might end up in the emergency room with an IV in your arm!

The Course:
Redbud Start: The race will start with the usual short loop around the BMX track then enter the woods on the Yellow Trail heading southwest. Stay on the yellow trail until you reach the bike road (the road up to Camp Tranquility) where you will make a left onto the gravel road, run 50 yards and turn back right for the long climb up the Yellow/White connector. At the top of the mountain, turn right to the Red Bike Road then follow the bike road/trail southwest to the aid station.
?Red/Green Aid Station - Mile 4.3 - The aid station is located at the intersection of the Green and Red Trails. After the aid station runners will turn left onto the Green Trail and follow it about ½ mile to the Green/White connector for the steep descent down to the White trail and Upper Peavine Creek. Turn right on the White Trail for a few 100 yards and take the foot bridge over the creek to the Blue Trail and continue along the upper edge of Peavine Falls Gorge. (Do NOT go down to the bottom of the Gorge.) Follow the trail above the falls for about 300 yards then go left to the top of the hill and the Blue Trail. Go right on blue then angles to the left paralleling the ridgeline heading northwest. Stay on the Blue Trail for about 3.5 miles to the Orange Trail and turn left. Follow the Orange Trail across the red bike road, all the way to the White Trail near Shackleford Point. Turn right on the white trail along the ridgeline then down the mountain to the yellow trail. At the Yellow Trail turn left, circle around Tranquility Lake keeping the lake on your right and back to the Redbud Pavilion at mile 10.5. This is the finish for the 10 Mile R2BR and aid station 2 for 21 mile runners who will repeat the same course.

?Awards:
?First Place Male and Female winners in the 21 Mile will receive Salomon Gift Certificates.
10.5 Mile and 21 Mile Winners: Awards will be give to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall, Male and Female.
Group Awards: 10.5 & 21 mile - 1st Place 12 & under, 1st Place Masters 40 - 49, Grand Master 50 - 59 and Ultra Grand Master 60+ Male and Female.?