Description of the Course (Please click News & Notes for exciting information about course map updates!)

Section 1

Moderate (Steep Downhill): Runner 1
3.60 miles (Starts at 0.0, ends at 3.60)
Gravel
3.6 m (3.6): Turn left at 3.6 miles onto the blacktop road (State Forest Road).

Section 2

Easy: Runner 2
3.60 miles (Starts at 3.60, ends at 7.20
Asphalt.

Section 3

Moderate to Easy: Runner 3
2.95 miles (Starts at 7.20, ends at 10.15)
Asphalt.

Section 4

Moderate: Runner 4
3.65 miles (Starts at 10.15, ends at 13.80)
Asphalt.

0.2 m (10.4): Turn left on Route 127. Keep left, and watch for traffic.
3.4 m (13.6): Turn right onto a blacktop road (Mountain Glen Road). Be careful crossing the highway.

Section 5

Hard: Runner 5
3.35 miles (Starts at 13.80, ends at 17.15)
Asphalt.
3.0 m (16.8): Runners turn left on Centennial.
3.2 m (17.0): Turn right on Ash
Vehicles: Go straight ahead, then turn left at Appleknocker Street. Park on Appleknocker.

Section 6

Very Hard: Runner 6
3.30 miles (Starts at 17.15, ends at 20.45)
Asphalt.

Vehicles: Cross the railroad tracks on Maple Street. Turn left on Jefferson, proceed two blocks, then turn right on Poplar.
If delayed by a train, cross the tracks by the bridge used by runners.

0.0 m (17.2): Turn left on Appleknocker.
0.1 m (17.3): Turn right across the bridge over the railroad.
0.2 m (17.4): Take the first left turn, onto Poplar Street. THIS TURN IS EASY TO MISS!
0.3 m (17.5): Bear left, then right, remaining on Poplar Street.
2.1 m (19.2): Route 51 is the busiest road you will cross. Pause, look carefully, and have team-mates help you watch for traffic. Continue on Water Valley Road.

Section 7

Hard: Runner 7
3.00 miles (Starts at 20.45, ends at 23.45)
Asphalt.

0.1 m (20.6): Bear right at the fork. Remain on Water Valley Road, do not take Shiloh Road.
1.1 m (21.6): Stay to the right on the blacktop road. Remain on Water Valley Road, do not take Giant City Park Road.
2.0 m (22.5): Stay to the left on the blacktop road. Remain on Water Valley Road, do not take Bethel Church Road.

Section 8

Hard: Runner 8
3.60 miles (Starts at 23.45, ends at 27.05)
Asphalt; two fords.
1.2 m (24.6): Turn right on the blacktop road (Water Valley Road).
2.3 m (25.7): The road turns left, then right. Stay on Water Valley Road; do not take Buffalo Gap Road.

Section 9

Hard: Runner 1
3.35 miles (Starts at 27.05, ends at 30.40)
Mostly gravel.

0.1 m (27.1): Turn Right on the blacktop (Rocky Comfort Road).
0.3 m (27.4): Turn left on the gravel road near the top of the hill (Panthers Den Road). WATCH CAREFULLY FOR THE TURN.
1.8 m (28.9): Bear to the right on Robinson Hill Road.
2.4 m (29.5): Watch for a left turn at the crest of a hill onto Mount Hebron Road. THIS TURN IS VERY EASY TO MISS.
3.1 m (30.2): Go straight ahead on Mount Hebron Road at the top of the hill.

Section 10

Moderate: Runner 2
2.85 miles (Starts at 30.40, ends at 33.25)
Mostly asphalt, some gravel. WARNING: Large stones may make thin-soled shoes inadvisable.

1.5 m (31.9): Turn right on the blacktop road (Lick Creek Road).
1.9 m (32.3): Take the road to the left (Goreville Road). Enjoy the view!

Section 11

Moderate: Runner 3
3.25 miles (Starts at 33.25, ends at 36.50)
Asphalt.
0.05 m (33.3): Follow the main road over Interstate 57.
Vehicles: Follow race officials' directions to parking.

Section 12

Moderate to Hard: Runner 4
3.80 miles (Starts at 36.50, ends at 40.30)
Asphalt.

Vehicles: From the center of Goreville, follow Route 37. Do not follow the runners.
The runners emerge from the right, south of the town. At that point, turn left onto Tunnel Hill Road under the railroad bridge.

0.3 m (36.8): Turn right on Broadway. STAY TO THE RIGHT!
0.6 m (37.1): Turn right and follow Fly Avenue. THIS IS AN EASY TURN TO MISS; DO NOT FOLLOW VEHICLES ALONG THE HIGHWAY.
0.9 m (37.4): Stay to the right.
1.3 m (37.8): Be very careful crossing Route 37. Pause, and watch for traffic. Then turn left onto Tunnel Hill Road under the railroad bridge.

Section 13

Moderate: Runner 5
3.40 miles (Starts at 40.30, ends at 43.70)
Asphalt.

Section 14

Easy: Runner 6
2.50 miles (Starts at 43.70, ends at 46.20)
Asphalt.

Section 15

Moderate to Easy: Runner 7
2.95 miles (Starts at 46.20, ends at 49.15)
Asphalt.

1.0 m (47.2): Be careful crossing Route 45. Continue on Gilead Church Road

Section 16

Moderate (Steep Downhill): Runner 8
4.05 miles (Starts at 49.15, ends at 53.20)
Asphalt.

3.4 m (52.5): Turn left onto Route 147. Watch for traffic.

Section 17

Moderate: Runner 1
3.30 miles (Starts at 53.20, ends at 56.50)
Asphalt.

Section 18

Moderate to Hard: Runner 2
3.75 miles (Starts at 56.50, ends at 60.25)
Asphalt.
2.1 m (58.6): Turn left onto asphalt road. WATCH CAREFULLY FOR THE TURN.

Section 19

Moderate: Runner 3
2.60 miles (Starts at 60.25, ends at 62.85)
Asphalt

Section 20

Moderate: Runner 4
3.25 miles (Starts at 62.85, ends at 66.10)
Asphalt.

2.0 m (64.9): Turn right.
3.2 m (66.1): Cross the road to the exchange on the grassy field.
Vehicles: Turn left at the exchange. Park on the gravel road.

Section 21

Moderate to Easy: Runner 5
3.45 miles (Starts at 66.10, ends at 69.55)
Asphalt.

0.1 m (66.2): Leave the field and return to the road. 1.9 m (68.0): Be careful crossing Route 145.
Vehicles: Follow the gravel road to a T-junction, and turn right. Turn right again when you reach Route 145. Take Route 145 2 miles to Eddyville, where you rejoin the relay route. The runners come from your right. Turn left towards Golconda.

Section 22

The Hardest: Runner 6
3.80 miles (Starts at 69.55, ends at 73.35)
Asphalt.

Section 23

Moderate (Steep Downhill): Runner 7
3.35 miles (Starts at 73.35, ends at 76.70)
Asphalt.
3.2 m (76.6): Runners go straight ahead. Do NOT follow the main road to the left.
Vehicles: follow the main road to Route 146.

Section 24

Hard: Runner 8
3.30 miles (Starts at 76.70, ends at 80.00)
Asphalt.

Vehicles: Turn right on Route 146 and drive towards Golconda. The runners will emerge from the right, 1.4 miles along Route 146.

1.9 m (78.6): Turn right on Route 146. Be very careful; watch for traffic.
3.1 m (79.8): Turn left on Main Street.
Vehicles: follow directions to parking in town.
3.3 m (80.0): Finish beside the Pope County Court House.

Summary and Totals