A RUNNING ADVENTURE LIKE NO OTHER! Experience nature and wildlife in this exciting 30K, 8 Mile, and 5K trail run that meanders along Lake Apopka's shoreline! For 2024, the LAST 30K and the Pumphouse 8 Miler & 5K have been combined into a single day of running.
WHEN: Sunday, February 18, 2024
START TIME: 30K - 7:15am; 8 Miler - 7:30am; 5K - 7:40am
START LOCATION: Please note that this event has two start locations!
30K START - Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, 20700 County Road 455, Montverde, FL. A free shuttle service will bring athletes to the 30K start line from Magnolia Park. There will be no shuttle back to the start following the race so all athletes must park at Magnolia Park.
8 MILER & 5K START - Magnolia Park, 2929 Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703
FINISH LOCATION: All events finish at Magnolia Park, 2929 Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703
30K COURSE: The 30K course is a point to point, 30K, 18.6 mile run along the Lake Apopka Loop Trail. The run starts at the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook in Ferndale and finishes at Magnolia Park in Apopka. The majority of the trail is packed lime rock or clay.
8 MILER & 5K COURSE: Scenic, out and back courses on a hard packed trail along Lake Apopka's Northshore. The 8 mile course takes runners to the historic Lake Apopka Pump House and back.
ELIGIBILITY: Minimum age to run the 30K is 16. There are no minimum age requirement for the 8 Miler & 5K.
CUT-OFF TIME: The course closes at 1:00pm. All 30K participants must be able maintain a 17:30 minute pacer per mile or faster in order to meet this cutoff time.
REGISTRATION:
Registration Opens Soon!
AMENITIES:
Each participant will receive a long sleeve mesh technical T-shirt (Last year's shirt pictured below) and other goodies. All finishers will receive a cool custom finisher medal. Of course you'll receive all the other great amenities that you expect from a Sommer Sports event including a well marked and safe course, quality results, and great post event food.
AWARDS:
Custom awards will be presented to the top three overall individual finishers, top masters finisher, and the top three finishers in each five year age group, male and female, for all three event distances.
EVENT SUPPORT:
The Lake Apopka Scenic Trail 30K is a fully supported event. All aid stations are cup-free, disposable cups WILL NOT be provided. Runners should bring their own hydration system or drink bottles with them during the run. Hydration and refueling stations will be located approximately every 2 miles along the course. Roving medical personnel will travel the course from start to finish.
SHUTTLE SERVICE:
Parking is available at and near Magnolia Park. A free shuttle service will be provided for the 30K Runners to transport them to the 30K start at the Green Mountain Scenic Overlook. Additional details on this shuttle service will be provided to the athletes in advance of the race.
RELAY TEAMS:
Relay team competition will no longer be offered in conjunction with the 30K.
Volunteers:
Be part of all the excitement at one of Sommer Sport's events. Whether you have just a couple of hours to spare, or the entire day, your help will make a difference. Grab a bunch of friends, family or co-workers and create a team to staff one of the water stations located along the course. Positions are available to fit any schedule. Click here to learn more!
Event Timetable*:
* Subject to Change
Sunday, February 18, 2024
5:30am - 7:30am Packet Pick-up
6:00am - 6:45am - Shuttle service to the 30K Start
7:15am - 30K START (At Green Mountain Scenic Overlook)
7:30am - 8 MILER START (At Magnolia Park)
7:40am - 5K START (At Magnolia Park)
EVENT BENEFICIARY: A portion of each entry fee goes to the Friends of the Green Mountain Scenic Byway (FGMSB), a 501(C) 3 nonprofit organization.
Apopka Loop Trail Details
The Lake Apopka Loop Trail covers more than 20 miles, providing hiking and biking opportunities along and in close proximity to the Lake Apopka shoreline. Currently it is just a point to point trail, but is expected to circumnavigate Lake Apopka in the future. Lake Apopka North Shore offers extraordinary opportunities to view Florida Wildlife. It is one of the top three birding areas for the entire state.
RESOURCES:
St. Johns River Water Management District - Lake Apopka North Shore
Friends of Lake Apopka
Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive Facebook Page