2025   FAQ

1. When & where is Packet Pickup ?

Early packet pickup will be at QUEST OUTDOORS at 4600 Shelbyville Road in the Shelbyville Road Plaza in Louisville on Friday, February 7, 2025 from 4 to 7 pm EST.  They will be having their FREE pre-race pasta dinner again this year during packet pickup at the store location -- everyone is welcome.  For 2025, True North Catering will be providing the catering of the pasta dinner.   Facebook event (2024) here:   https://www.facebook.com/events/908152304187694/?ref=newsfeed

As always, you can register and/or pick up your race packet at the Horine Center at the Start/Finish area on race morning starting around 7 am EST.  It's recommended to pick up your race packet at early packet pickup to avoid the rush & lines on race day.

Horine Center:

2.  Can my Ultrasignup registration be changed, confirmed or refunded? 

For changing of your registration (to 50k, 15m or 6m & other race options), whether it be for LLTH or any other Ultrasignup event:  sign in to Ultrasignup; under the drop down menu select "registration history"; if your event has ”edit” next to it the event can still be edited — the time frame you have to edit can vary from event to event.  Click “edit”, select the change(s) and then "update registration".   You should receive an email confirmation of registering from Ultrasignup.  You can have the confirmation resent by clicking under "receipt" in the registration history.  There are no refunds.

3.  Can I change my race distance on race day?

Prior to the start of the race, you can make a change at packet pickup.   A move up in distance will require additional payment.  No refunds for a drop down in distance.  

During the 50k, you can drop to the 15m or 6m -- just head to the finish when at the 50k/15m split at the end of the dam or 50k/6m split on the service road and let the volunteers directing traffic there know so they won't insist you're going the wrong way.  During the 15m, you can head to the 6m finish at the 15m/6m split on the service road.   Let the timer at the finish line know that you've dropped down to be sure you get credit for finishing the correct race.

4.  Can I transfer or defer my registration?

Yes, if you request & receive a confirmation from the Race Director to transfer or defer your registration before the event starts.  Due to the work schedule & time constraints of the RD, this may not be possible, especially in the week preceding the event.  If you deferred your registration from last year to this year, you will need to contact Cynthia Heady by text at 502-220-3440 if you have not already done so.

5.  Will my feet get wet ?

There are several small streams. Most of the time the streams are dried up or frozen this time of year. If the streams are flowing, you can usually jump over the water or carefully pick your steps across.  If we have rain race day, or have heavy rain the day before (like in 2010), streams will be up & your feet will get wet.

6.  Will there be any drop bag stations ?

50k & 15m:

You can leave a drop bag at the start line where you will pass after the first leg -- or you can just stop by your car in the parking area for your items.

50k only:

The 50k will have an additional drop bag area at the Scott's Gap aid station (mile 19.6/mile 23.1). You can leave a drop bag for Scott's Gap at the Horine Center on race morning. You will pass thru the Scott's Gap aid station twice. After the 2nd time, be sure to leave your bag in the RETURN area. Bags will be returned to the START/FINISH area (Horine Center) as time & volunteers permit.

7.  Where are the toilet facilities ?

Pit toilets (literally holes in the ground w/seats) are located at the start/finish.

Port-o-cans will be located at the following locations: the start/finish; 0.2 miles, 0.3 miles and 5.5 miles into the race along the course in the campground; on the Purple Heart loop (mile 11) and at the Scott's Gap aid station (mile 19.6/mile 23.1).

Indoor facilities can be found at the Horine Center at the start/finish area and at the Welcome Center on Mitchell Hill Road (mile 10.4/13.5 on the 15m course & mile 10.4/29.7 on the 50k course).

NOTE: The course passes within 20 feet of the Welcome Center front entrance. The Center is open to the public w/shiny wood floors. If you should need to use the restroom facilities, please knock the mud off your shoes before entering, or you can use the separate direct entrances to the restrooms from the back of the Center. The Center closes at 4:30 pm.

Welcome Center (back entrance):

8.  How many aid stations are there ?

There are three (3) for the 15m:

mile 5.7 - Start Area at the end of the 1st leg -- drop bags

mile 10.5 - At the parking lot just past the Welcome Center on the Siltstone Trail

mile 13.4 - At the parking lot near the end of the Siltstone Trail just before returning to the Welcome Center

There are seven (7) for the 50k:

mile 5.7 - Start Area at the end of the 1st leg -- drop bags

mile 10.5 - At the parking lot just past the Welcome Center on the Siltstone Trail

mile 15.9 - Bearcamp Road aid station outbound on the Siltstone Trail

mile 19.6 - Scott's Gap aid station at the end of the Siltstone Trail -- drop bags

mile 23.1 - Scott's Gap aid station at the end of the Scott's Gap loop -- drop bags

mile 26.8 - Bearcamp Road aid station inbound on the Siltstone Trail

mile 29.6 - At the parking lot near the end of the Siltstone Trail just before returning to the Welcome Center

9.  Is there a cutoff time & is there an "early start" offered ?

There will be a cutoff at 3 pm (7 hours) or at the RD's discretion -- at the end of the Scott's Gap loop (mile 23.1) in the 50k.  If you're close to the cutoff, chances are you will not finish the course before it gets difficult to see the trail.  The course officially closes at 6 pm (10 hours).

Consideration for a 7 am EST start will be given to those runners who believe they may not finish before it gets dark -- contact Cynthia  or Todd Heady at cynthia@headfirstperformance.com or todd@headfirstperformance.com,  or Cynthia by text at 502-220-3440.  Early starters are not eligible for any award based on finish position.

Sunrise/Sunset & Temperatures for February 8:

10.  Will I need a light ?

If you think you could be near the 3 pm cutoff at the end of the Scott's Gap loop (50k), it's highly advised to put a light in your drop bag to pickup & to have available for the last mile or two of the race if needed.  There have been previous instances of runners without lights getting lost in the dark.

If you take the early start at 7 am, it's unlikely though some might like a light for the 1st mile or two.  The 1st 0.6 mile of the course is easily traversed as it's on a gravel road before you enter single track. 

11.  Are there any training runs ?   

Dates for the 2025 training runs are still pending due to the  snow and icy conditions on the trails since January 5.    As of January 11, the trails are not runnable and it looks doubtful they'll be clear in the near future.  As soon as I'm aware of a decision by the RD, I will post the status of any training runs here.

January 16 update:  Trails are still snowy & icy and the extended forecast calls for continued frigid weather.    It does not appear there will be any training runs for 2025.    In the unlikely case that things change,  it will be noted here.  Jefferson Memorial Forest is open sunrise to sunset & you are more than welcome to check out the trails on your own anytime!

January 25 update:  Just got word from Cynthia that she plans to have a training run tomorrow, Sunday, January 26 on the Siltstone Trail starting at the Welcome Center at 8:00 am.  Expect snow & ice on the trails.

A training run has been scheduled for 8 am EST on January   , 2025.   It will be the 15 mile course, starting & finishing at the official race start in Horine.  

A training run will be at 8 am EST on January 26, 2025.  It will be starting and finishing at the Welcome Center at 11311 Mitchell Hill Road.  It will be outbound on the Siltstone Trail (6.7 miles), Scott's Gap Trail (3.5 miles) & returning on the Siltstone Trail (6.7 miles). The Purple Heart section, run during the race, will be skipped.  If the parking lot at the Welcome Center is full, there's an overflow parking lot on the other side of Mitchell Hill Road.

Some marking may be in place at the major junctions.  There will be runners who have run the course within the group, but you should still be generally familiar with the trails and the course layout beforehand to keep on track.  You can always turn back & return to the beginning or join in at any time.

Training runs are generally for those wishing to become familiar with the course or to try out the trails.  You do not have to be registered to attend.  These runs are not sanctioned events.

12.  Are pacers allowed?

Not at this time.

13.  Are pets allowed?

Well behaved pets on leash are allowed.   Please be considerate of other runners when passing & allow other runners to pass as needed.

14.   What is Horine?  Yost?  Tom Wallace?

These are sections of land in the Jefferson Memorial Forest (JMF) named for previous owners of the land or for persons honored for their contributions to the Forest.  The Horine Reservation (original owner Dr. Emmett Horine & family) is the area where the LLTH event starts & finishes & encompasses the entire 6 mile course & much more.  The Paul Yost Recreation area (named in honor of Forester Paul A. Yost) is now the entire area of the Forest east of Holsclaw Hill Road.  The Tom Wallace Recreation Area (named for Tom Wallace, an early advocate of the Forest) encompasses the lake that the 15m & 50k circles, the Purple Heart Trail & the Welcome Center area.