Still Hollow 10K / Half Marathon

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Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 6.2 miles / 10.0 km
Duration: 1-3 hours

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Overview: This is a new addition to the Salomon/Rock Creek Trail Series for 2012. Taking place at Enterprise South Nature Park in Hamilton County, Tennessee, the mostly shaded course provides the 10K runners with the opportunity to explore the hiking trails within the nature park. The 10K course is set on mulch trails allowing for side-by-side running from start to finish. For the half-marathoners, after passing the 10K finish, the runners then enter the wicked fast single track portion of the course. Carved out of an old Army Ammunition Plant in the hills just north of Chattanooga this track allows runners to push the throttle to max power and let it rip for the next 7 miles on the Black Forest and TNT mountain bike trails. Our thanks to SORBA Chattanooga for building an awesome single-track course. There's nothing too technical about this course just a good old fashioned workout. It is runnable, it is fast, and it is going to be hot come race day.

Tips: Carry water! As with all race series events and any trip into the woods water is essential. Without the app and knowledge of how to get back to your car it is easy to get turned around and temporarily lost. The ammo bunkers are numbered for your safety, there are plenty of signs on the trails and you are enclosed by a perimeter fence so don't get too worried. Plenty of deer, turkey, and even a few snakes can be seen. Come out and explore, but carry water.

Points of Interest

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Park Entrance sign

The park stays open until sunset check the Visitor's Center for times. The rangers will track you down if you are late and give you a firm talking to.

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Park Entrance

Hamilton County's new park adjacent to Volkswagen right off of I-75 exit 9. Walking on miles of mulch paths, running on both road and trails, 9 miles of single-track mountain bike trails, and wildlife. This park is convenient to locals and travelers alike.

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Start

Down road you just came in on for .4 miles.

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Off pavement and onto Poe Run Path

Take a gentle right into grass and follow backside of parking area into woods. Cross stream bed, will normally be dry except in winter and spring, to Poe Run Path. Take a right and head back towards gravel lot. Poe Run Path is the most used of all trails in park running from Visitor's Center towards Hidden Lake. It becomes Hidden Lake Trail after a mile or so.

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Left onto Hawk's Ridge

Hawk's Ridge signs are in black, follow until trail changes to Dogwood, which are brown. Hawk's and Dogwood are new trails and less used because they are away from the lake. There are now signs along these 2 trails.

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End of Dogwood

Dogwood ends, left on road to HLT. The trail continues across the road. This is an easy turn to miss. If you intersect Hawk's you've missed the turn. Take a left and you will pass Bunker 39 just before intersecting HLT.

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HLT to DHT

After passing Hidden Lake take right on road and then quick right up small hill. The trail soon becomes Boulder Point Loop, blue signs. Take a right at first BPL sign and trail will become Deer Hollow Trail. Confused? Welcome to ESNP. Use the app or be prepared to get lost.

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DHT sign

Deer Hollow Trail takes you from the backside of Hidden Lake back towards the gravel lot and the finish line. It ends at a road crossing and becomes Poe Run Overlook. Both trails are .59 miles long.

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PRO Sign

Poe Run Overlook picks up where Deer Hollow Trail stops and takes you into the gravel lot. On the 10k it is your sign to step on the gas. On the half marathon you will run this path twice.

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Connector Trail

The Connector Trail gets you from the gravel parking lot to Black Forest.

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End of Connector Trail

When you reach pavement at Bunker 100 you have arrived at Black Forest Mtn Trail. Right turn to run the loop (1.82 miles). Left is fast way to TNT.

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Black Forest

Black Forest Mountain is a beginner bike trail you will encounter after the Connector Trail. Go right at the bunker and run until you come to a sign at the intersection.

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BFM Loop ends

At the sign your choice is to head for TNT, right, or back to the bunker and the Connector Trail, left. the course goes right to TNT.

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TNT T/H

TNT is a great trail to run or ride.

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TNT Trail.

TNT is a 4 mile trail with character. It is built on the side of a hill and sweeps in and out of the fingers and draws of that rocky terrain as it twists and winds around the loop. Run it from where BFM crosses the handicap trail and go right. It has some decent hills, a few rocks and roots, pleanty of twists and turns, numerous jumps and whoop de doos to throw your pace off, as well as some soft pine needles making it an all around workout. It is my favorite trail to run.