Brian joined Stormy and I and we headed to Pumpkin Holler. The plan was to drive the course and carefully Garmin the distance and elevation.
This map is posted at the Nickel Nature Preserve, and the red loop is almost exactly the Pumpkin Holler course. The red line is the road we use. The race starts at the Eagle Bluff campground, and we'll run the loop clockwise. At the top of the loop after veering away from the river, we'll take the left road at the Y and do a 1.7 mile out-and-back which makes the loop 31.1 miles. Two loops make a 100K. The 100 milers get their extra mileage out of the way at the start. From the start, they turn RIGHT instead of left when they reach the loop. Then they make a left on the red road that cuts right through the center of the loop. Their turn-around is near the Tulley Hollow intersection, about half way through the preserve. This route includes a pretty good climb--maybe the steepest on the whole course--but you get it out of the way early while every one's legs are still fresh. Again, only the 100 milers do this out-and-back. After that, they do three of the big loops and they're done. Easy, right?
This old church is right at the beginning of the 50K loop.
This map is posted at the Nickel Nature Preserve, and the red loop is almost exactly the Pumpkin Holler course. The red line is the road we use. The race starts at the Eagle Bluff campground, and we'll run the loop clockwise. At the top of the loop after veering away from the river, we'll take the left road at the Y and do a 1.7 mile out-and-back which makes the loop 31.1 miles. Two loops make a 100K. The 100 milers get their extra mileage out of the way at the start. From the start, they turn RIGHT instead of left when they reach the loop. Then they make a left on the red road that cuts right through the center of the loop. Their turn-around is near the Tulley Hollow intersection, about half way through the preserve. This route includes a pretty good climb--maybe the steepest on the whole course--but you get it out of the way early while every one's legs are still fresh. Again, only the 100 milers do this out-and-back. After that, they do three of the big loops and they're done. Easy, right?
This old church is right at the beginning of the 50K loop.
This is around mile 5. At several places on the loop, you get to run right along the scenic Illinois River.
A look back the other direction.
This is the intersection where the first aid station is. This is also where the 1.7 mile out-and-back is. You had best not miss this turn. We are thinking of having a timing mat at the turn-around.
Another aid station locale. Brian is busy with his super duper high powered camera. I would love to have one like it, but might get a hernia lifting it.
Stormy did all the driving, was right on top of the Garminning and note taking, and the next day gave us a spread sheet with every landmark imaginable on the course including every cattle guard, every water crossing, every hill summit, intersection, switchback and hair-pin turn.
The trees in the area are beginning to bud out. Come race day, the leaves should be turning. Hopefully, we'll have a technicolor show.
I liked this pic. It seems fitting that a TATUR window sticker should have some dirt to go with it.
Finish the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd, and you can put this sticker on your bumper.
After driving the course, Stormy and I checked out some actual trails inside the nature preserve for a future TOTs run.
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