The 6th Annual
River, Roots & Ruts
Trail Run

Sunday, January 11, 2009
Half Marathon and Relay 8:00 am
5K Fun Run 8:15 am

2009 Registration will open on August 1st

Hosted by Lee County Parks and Recreation
Sanctioned by the Fort Myers Track Club

Event Organizer and Race Director

Race Committee
Race Director: Steve Brookman
Better Half/Finishline Announcer: Susan Brookman
Event Organizer: Nancy MacPhee
FMTC Liaison: Kent Poli
Trail and Volunteer Coordinator: Laura Estabrook
Course Marker: Dan Moser
Awards Hosted by: Brenda Brooks and Wayne Daltry
Root Makers (awards): Joe Dodd and David Mitchell
Rut Makers: several dozen feral hogs

The 6th Annual River, Roots and Ruts Trail Run will be held at Lee County’s Caloosahatchee Regional Park (CRP) which straddles CR 78 in Alva, Florida (approx. 15 miles east of Fort Myers) on Sunday, January 11, 2009. The Half Marathon and Relay course will utilize both sides of this scenic 785 acre park, while the 5K Fun Run will stay on the wider nature trails on the south side.

Half Marathon and Relay: No headphones, walkers, strollers, dogs are permitted. There is a 3 hour time limit (13:44 min/mile), if you can't complete a road half marathon in 2 1/2 hours please consider entering the 5K. Registrations will be limited to 300 runners for the Half and Relay events.

T-Shirts: TDB

Medals: All Half-Marathon and Relay finishers will receive a medal made exclusively for this event from molded recycled glass by Aurora Glass Works. All profits from Aurora Glass assist homeless and low-income people and families through emergency services, housing, and other charitable endeavors. A special medal for finishing a special race!

 

Awards and Prizes
See our awards page

5K Fun Run - Walkers are welcomed. Root awards will go to the top Male and Female finishers. The 5K is a Fun Run, and there will be no race packets for Fun Runners. For the online entry fee you get free parking, free camping, post race snacks and beverages, a chance to win great door prizes and a really great run in the park with some nice folks.

Timing for Half and Relay: Scoring and Results with the AMB “Chip” Transponder. All individual and relay half marathon participants are required to pick up their “Chip” on race day. You must have your race number to pick up your “Chip”. Any participant who does not wear the AMB “Chip” Transponder (Champion Chips will not work) will not be scored as part of the results.
ALL “CHIPS” MUST BE RETURNED TO THE VOLUNTEERS AFTER YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE. LOST CHIPS WILL COST THE PARTICIPANT $80.00
Times will be posted after the run and on this web site.

Timing for the 5K: A display clock will be at the finish line for the Fun Runners to check their times.

Race Packet Pickup: 11-4 Friday 1/9 and Saturday 1/10, RunFlorida Run Shop located in the Fitness On The Move Lifestyle Center, 13010 Metro Parkway, Ft. Myers, FL 33966, 239 561-1177, x213.
No packets for the Fun Run. Race Packets and T-Shirts can be picked up at the park on Race Day.

All individual and relay half marathon participants are required to pick up their “Chip” on race day.

Parking: Half Marathoners plan on using the entrance at the far east end of the park. Fun Runners can use the main entrance. If you need to leave early, before all the runners are off the course, please use the main entrance for parking. (The new finish line is next to the parking area and we can't allow traffic until the course is clear.) Staff and volunteers can use the Campground Parking lot. Check the course map to view entrances and parking spots.

Aid Stations: Water will be available at volunteer staffed aid stations through out the course, approximately every 2 miles. Gatorade will be at the Relay Transfer Point (mile 6 and mile 10.1)) and at the finish.

Post Race: Refreshments: Ada's organic muffins, water, sports drinks, bagels and fruit will be provided. Awards will be presented immediately following the completion of the run.

Directions: From north of Fort Myers take I75 south to exit 143, east on 78 (Bayshore), Left on SR 31, right, east, on CR78 (North River Rd) for 7 miles. The main entrance to the park is on the south side, race day parking entrance is 1/4 mile further east.

From south of Fort Myers take I75 north to exit 141, east on SR 80 (Palm Beach Blvd), left on SR 31, right, east, on CR78 (North River Rd) for 7 miles. The main entrance to the park is on the south side, race day parking entrance is 1/4 mile further east.

Airports: Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is 25 minutes to the south and is served by all the major carriers. Tampa International (TPA) is 2 hours driving time to the north. Miami (MIA), West Palm Beach (PBI) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) are roughly 3 hours to the east.

Hotel Information: Click here listing of local hotels with discounted rates.

Lodging and Camping: FREE camping to all registered participants is available for the weekend of the event. Walk-in tent campsites only, hot showers. Call 239-693-2690 to hold a spot!

Showers: Outdoor showers are available in the campground.

Benefits: Proceeds will be donated to local 501(c)3 non profit organizations involved with the Caloosahatchee or the Park (Southwest Florida Watershed Council, Riverwatch, CREW Land and Water Trust, Audubon of SWFL, Mudcutters.)

Need more info?