Hill and Dale
COURSE
Start and finish 8 miler at the Park Lodge on Grassy Lake Rd at Meeman-Shelby Forest, Millington (Memphis). Starting south to a turnaround on the Poplar Tree Lake levee (mile 1). Going back past the starting line (mile 2) to the left, turn onto the bike trail. At 2.8 miles, the course goes very steeply down 100 feet via switchbacks to the flood plain. After 0.5 miles, it goes up to connect with Piersol Rd (mile 4) to a second turnaround at the first picnic shelter by Piersol Lake (mile 5). Same way back to the finish. Considered an interesting and relatively fast course in spite of its two extremely steep spots.
COURSE HISTORY
One of the original 4 races of the tour, starting in 1979. Course design by Pete Shearon. Before Chickasaw Chase, it was the first and largest race of the spring season. It was canceled in 1999 because of an ice storm that felled numerous trees across the path. Approximately 20 runners showed up anyway and ran the course. Participation was in steady decline until 2005 when, again, it was promoted by Memphis Runners Track Club and, in particular, by its race director, Rachel Ragan. Since 2012, the race has been directed by Andrew Forsdick. In 2019, April Flanigan became the race director. 2020 saw a record 565 finishers under perfect running conditions. Cool 40 degrees and sunshine. However, the first out and back mile was blocked by a fallen tree, and the same distance was added to the second turnaround at Piersol Lake. The new course was certified and used from then on.
No longer on the Running Tour from 2023.
COURSE RECORDS
Men 1982 Zaf Ahmed 40:02
Women 2020 Christine Eisenberg 49:32