I've just started updating this blog for 2010. Changes will be forthcoming on dates, links, maps, etc. The first couple changes are here:
The date for the race has been changed to Saturday February 6, 2010. Sorry for any inconvenience this will make to anyone's plans. Although Headfirst Performance had reserved the site for the 13th, Metro Parks changed their mind & gave notification just recently. They have said that the Horine Center would not be available that weekend -- reason being that they were going to extend their one day Valentine's Retreat for couples from Sunday the 14th to the entire weekend!
There will be a course change on the final leg of the 50k. Instead of running the Purple Heart Trail in Tom Wallace Park, the Scott's Gap loop at the end of the Siltstone Trail will be included. The Siltstone Trail will be run in its' entirety from start to finish. After the 3 miles around Scott's Gap, the course will return on the full length of the Siltstone Trail back to the Welcome Center & then back to the finish at the Horine Center. This change will remove about 1.25 miles of sidewalk and paved road within Tom Wallace Park. With fewer turns, it will also make for less confusion for runners & for easier marking of the course. New course maps will be posted when available.
Online registration is currently available at Active.com.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
2009 Louisville's Lovin' the Hills -- Notes & Results
FOR 2011, click here: 2011 LLTH
After the ice storm, "postpone" or "cancel" were possible options for the race this year. Fortunately for everyone, Headfirst Performance took on the challenge. This was Cynthia & Todd Heady's 2nd year at directing LLTH & it was another successful event!
The light rain that was forecast didn't happen & the course, for the most part, was only damp with just a few muddy spots here & there. Trails were in great shape, considering what they looked like only recently. Even though most of the course had been cleared at least a couple times, a few new branches & maybe a tree or 2 had fallen onto the trails by race time, but there was nothing very big or hard to get over or around.
THANKS again to all the workers & volunteers who cleared the trails & made the race possible! Special THANKS to Larry Hilton with the JMF staff who went above & beyond to meet the deadline. Also, THANKS to all the runners & volunteers who helped make LLTH a success!
The 2009 LLTH Race Results have been posted at the Headfirst Performance website.
After the ice storm, "postpone" or "cancel" were possible options for the race this year. Fortunately for everyone, Headfirst Performance took on the challenge. This was Cynthia & Todd Heady's 2nd year at directing LLTH & it was another successful event!
The light rain that was forecast didn't happen & the course, for the most part, was only damp with just a few muddy spots here & there. Trails were in great shape, considering what they looked like only recently. Even though most of the course had been cleared at least a couple times, a few new branches & maybe a tree or 2 had fallen onto the trails by race time, but there was nothing very big or hard to get over or around.
THANKS again to all the workers & volunteers who cleared the trails & made the race possible! Special THANKS to Larry Hilton with the JMF staff who went above & beyond to meet the deadline. Also, THANKS to all the runners & volunteers who helped make LLTH a success!
The 2009 LLTH Race Results have been posted at the Headfirst Performance website.
Friday, February 13, 2009
update
I'm having to post this from another computer as I've been without power at my house since the wind storm hit Wednesday:
With the rain & high winds earlier in the week, plans were set back for the chainsaw crews, but they are working now as I type this to finish the last mile or so of the trails. There was also a last minute (small) re-route on the Yost (Yellow) Trail on the 2nd loop yesterday to avoid a heavily damaged section of trail as it was easier to do so than to cut & remove all the trees. Don't be surprised if you encounter an obstacle in your path tomorrow, in fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't encounter something! Dangling limbs & branches & damaged tree tops left over from the ice storm have continued to fall on the trails. Even going back on the trails to mark the course, it felt at times like a clearing operation. Normally, the trails here are trimmed back fairly well. This year there will be branches & brush that extend into the trails at some locations, so be cautious for those at head/eye level!
May everyone have a SAFE & FUN race!
With the rain & high winds earlier in the week, plans were set back for the chainsaw crews, but they are working now as I type this to finish the last mile or so of the trails. There was also a last minute (small) re-route on the Yost (Yellow) Trail on the 2nd loop yesterday to avoid a heavily damaged section of trail as it was easier to do so than to cut & remove all the trees. Don't be surprised if you encounter an obstacle in your path tomorrow, in fact, I'd be surprised if you didn't encounter something! Dangling limbs & branches & damaged tree tops left over from the ice storm have continued to fall on the trails. Even going back on the trails to mark the course, it felt at times like a clearing operation. Normally, the trails here are trimmed back fairly well. This year there will be branches & brush that extend into the trails at some locations, so be cautious for those at head/eye level!
May everyone have a SAFE & FUN race!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Super Saturday
40+ volunteers & workers showed up yesterday for the cleanup of the trails - most impressive! Many THANKS!! More work was done than all the previous weekdays combined. There were a half dozen groups & 3 chainsaw crews scattered thruout the Forest at any given time. Although temps reached the 60's and it had been above freezing for several days, everyone battled the icy conditions on the shady sides of the steeper hills. The thick ice was thawed just enough to be able to kick in steps or dig in with your heels to get a foothold -- that still didn't keep everyone upright when it came to dragging & manuevering fallen trees off the trails. Some fell numerous times on the steeper icy sections. One chainsaw operator slipped & slid 20 feet down a slope, chainsaw in tow.
Only about 2 miles remain to be cleared of the smaller trees, brush & debris & about 7 miles of trails have only the large trees to be cut & removed -- almost all of these are on the segments hit the hardest, the 2nd loop (Yellow Trail) and in Tom Wallace Park. With above freezing temps forecast for the rest of the week and the continued dedication of volunteers & Jefferson Memorial Forest workers, the course will be clear race day (if no other trees fall!)
Cynthia & Todd (Race Directors) and Kim on the Blue Trail:
Only about 2 miles remain to be cleared of the smaller trees, brush & debris & about 7 miles of trails have only the large trees to be cut & removed -- almost all of these are on the segments hit the hardest, the 2nd loop (Yellow Trail) and in Tom Wallace Park. With above freezing temps forecast for the rest of the week and the continued dedication of volunteers & Jefferson Memorial Forest workers, the course will be clear race day (if no other trees fall!)
Cynthia & Todd (Race Directors) and Kim on the Blue Trail:
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
MAJOR ice storm
I would have posted this earlier, but like most residents in the Jefferson Memorial Forest area, I was without electric for 7 days & internet service for 9 days:
On January 26-27, a major ice storm, called the worst in Kentucky history, hit the Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF). It first started with a couple inches of sleet, followed by a day of freezing rain, then it was all topped off with 4 inches of snow. Park roads were closed the 1st week until the trees could be removed and the powerlines restored. Countless trees, tree tops & branches have filled in the trails from start to finish. The monumental task of clearing has begun (MANY THANKS to the dedicated JMF workers & all the volunteers!) -- progress has been slow with the icy conditions. If anyone is interested, meet at the Welcome Center this Saturday or Sunday at 9 am as small groups are assigned different trail segments to clear.
If we have good weather & the current effort is continued, I believe all the trails will be passable by race day.
Pictures taken on the course 5 days after the storm first hit:
Starting line is at the gate (15m, 50k):
Entrance to the Siltstone Trail (50k):
Tom Wallace Lake Road (inbound portion 50k):
Former aid station location at Tom Wallace Lake:
Even the outhouses at the Start were not spared:
On January 26-27, a major ice storm, called the worst in Kentucky history, hit the Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF). It first started with a couple inches of sleet, followed by a day of freezing rain, then it was all topped off with 4 inches of snow. Park roads were closed the 1st week until the trees could be removed and the powerlines restored. Countless trees, tree tops & branches have filled in the trails from start to finish. The monumental task of clearing has begun (MANY THANKS to the dedicated JMF workers & all the volunteers!) -- progress has been slow with the icy conditions. If anyone is interested, meet at the Welcome Center this Saturday or Sunday at 9 am as small groups are assigned different trail segments to clear.
If we have good weather & the current effort is continued, I believe all the trails will be passable by race day.
Pictures taken on the course 5 days after the storm first hit:
Starting line is at the gate (15m, 50k):
Entrance to the Siltstone Trail (50k):
Tom Wallace Lake Road (inbound portion 50k):
Former aid station location at Tom Wallace Lake:
Even the outhouses at the Start were not spared:
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
race headquarters
The Jefferson Memorial Forest has a special event planned each Valentine's Day at the Manor House (Lodge) in the Horine section of the Forest. This Lodge has been used the last several years as the LLTH race headquarters as it kept everyone out of the weather and did so with style & comfort. With a scenic overlook of Louisville off the back deck, the Lodge is also within sight of the start/finish area. Although this special Valentine's Day program starts at 7:30 p.m., it would be difficult to clear & clean up after the race in time to prevent any disruption. So late sign-up, packet pickup, post race food, etc., will be located in a tent in an area allowed by Forest Management. At this time, a location close to last year's start/finish/aid station area is being sought. Back in 2004, the race date also fell on Valentine's Day, however, the Lodge was not an issue. The start/finish was located at the Welcome Center that year.
Official announcement from the Jefferson Memorial Forest website:
Valentine Forest Retreat
Saturday, February 14, 2009
7:30 - 10 p.m.
Looking for something romantic to do with your sweetheart this year? Why not give them the moon, the stars, and all of Louisville? Join our staff for a romantic, candlelit hike through the Forest that ends with an incredible view of the lights of Louisville. The hike's destination is the Forest's beautiful Manor House where you'll be greeted by a roaring fire to warm you up, hot beverages and desserts provided by local bakeries. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $25 per couple
This fills up every year. If interested, contact the Welcome Center at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, (502) 368-6856.
Official announcement from the Jefferson Memorial Forest website:
Valentine Forest Retreat
Saturday, February 14, 2009
7:30 - 10 p.m.
Looking for something romantic to do with your sweetheart this year? Why not give them the moon, the stars, and all of Louisville? Join our staff for a romantic, candlelit hike through the Forest that ends with an incredible view of the lights of Louisville. The hike's destination is the Forest's beautiful Manor House where you'll be greeted by a roaring fire to warm you up, hot beverages and desserts provided by local bakeries. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $25 per couple
This fills up every year. If interested, contact the Welcome Center at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road, (502) 368-6856.
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