2026 Lake Martin 50/50

The 2026 Lake Martin 50/50 takes place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Alexander City, Alabama. The event is held at Russell Crossroads, located at 17 Russell Farms Road, with GPS coordinates at 32.764355, -85.945177. On this date, the expected weather in Alexander City is likely to be mild, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 65°F and partly cloudy skies. The trail event features single-track trails, gravel roads, and carriage paths, offering a mix of technical and scenic terrain. Participants can expect a challenging yet accessible race that provides beautiful views of Lake Martin and its surrounding natural landscapes.

What distances are available for this event?

• →50 Mile race
• →50K race

What are the start times for the event?

• →50 Mile Start: 6:30 AM
• →50K Start: 6:35 AM
• →Pre-Race Briefing: 6:20 AM

What is the race cutoff time?

• →The race cutoff is 10:30 PM, allowing for a maximum of 16 hours to complete the course.

Where is the start and finish location?

• →The start and finish is at Russell Crossroads, 17 Russell Farms Road, Alexander City, AL 35010.

What is the course structure for the 50 Mile race?

• →The 50 Mile race consists of two complete 25-mile loops.
• →Each loop includes a North loop (18.6 miles) and a South loop (6.4 miles).

What is the course structure for the 50K race?

• →The 50K race starts with the South loop (6.4 miles), followed by the North loop (18.6 miles), and finishes with the South loop again (6.4 miles).

What are the per 25-mile loop stats?

• →Total elevation gain: 3,000+ feet
• →50 Mile total elevation: 6,000+ feet

What is the surface and terrain like on the course?

• →The course starts on gravel road, transitions to sidewalk, and then back to gravel road.
• →The first mile is on gravel road and carriage path, allowing runners to spread out.
• →Next ~10 miles are on single-track trails, with a 2/3-mile section on "Big Way."
• →The trail follows the shores of Lake Martin and small creeks.
• →Features include rocky sections with fist-sized white marble chunks, roots on single-track sections, and mostly gentle hills with a few steep sections.
• →One longer climb is ~200 ft elevation over ½ mile to Heaven Hill Aid Station (~mile 8 each loop).

How many aid stations are there per 25-mile loop?

• →Heaven Hill Aid Station
• →The Cabin Aid Station (start/finish)

What scenery and wildlife can participants expect?

• →Beautiful lake views, creek crossings, and forested single-track trails.
• →Participants may encounter deer along the course.

Where can I find the course map or GPX file?

• →The course map and GPX file can be found at Southeastern Trail Runs ↗.

When does registration open and close for the event?

• →Registration opens on August 15, 2025.
• →Registration closes on March 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
• →No race-day registration is available.

What is the race shirt cutoff date?

• →The race shirt cutoff is March 14, 2026.

What are the weekend schedule highlights?

• →Packet pick-up on Friday, April 3rd, is from 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM at The Cabin at Russell Crossroads.
• →Packet pickup and drop-bag drop-off on Saturday, April 4th, is from 5:00 AM - 6:15 AM.
• →Pre-race briefing is at 6:20 AM.
• →Race starts at 6:30 AM (50M) / 6:35 AM (50K).

What parking and crew information is available?

• →Start/Finish Parking is in green-shaded areas around The Cabin.
• →Do NOT park in front of/beside Catherine's Market or red-marked areas.
• →A crew parking permit is required on Russell Lands, which must be displayed on the dashboard.
• →Heaven Hill Aid Station crew access requires parking at Adamson Road Trailhead, with no crew vehicles allowed past the iron gate.

What is the race philosophy?

• →The race is designed as a step-up event, ideal for moving from 25K/50K to 50 miles, or from short trail races to 50K.
• →The course is challenging but achievable with proper training.
• →The race team emphasizes runner support, encouragement, and fun while maintaining a serious ultra-distance challenge.