The Trident Trail Half Marathon

Description:

Run the ancient sand dunes!
The story of this trail race began during the last ice ages. On the Florida peninsula, sandy hilltop island and coastal dune ridges were the only lands peeking above sea level. Incredible plants and animals adapted to survive on those desert-like oases. They found ways to conserve water with needles or leathery-coated leaves. Many escaped searing, dry heat by living underground.

Then the seas fell, leaving the flat, broad finger of land we now know as Florida. These ancient sand dunes are known as one of the rarest living communities: Florida Coastal Scrub.

Jupiter Ridge Natural Area is one of the last stands of Florida Coastal Scrub habitat in Palm Beach County. Only 2% of original Scrub in the county and less than one-third of the original Scrub in the state remain today. A gently rolling landscape of prickly, dense thickets spotted with bare patches of sparkling white sand, these 271 acres are protected by Palm Beach County as part of a countywide system of natural areas. Over 200 species of plants and animals call this home.

These natural areas are managed by the Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management team, and we are tremendously fortunate to be working with them to make this race a reality.

The Magic & Misery!
The 2nd Annual Trident Trail Half Marathon returns on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at HIGH NOON! Same incredible race, same beautiful location of Jupiter Ridge Natural Area nestled between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean in Jupiter, Florida! We have a strict 50 runner capacity for 2019! This race will sell out! After we reach capacity, we will go to waitlist!

Refunds & Rollovers
There are no refunds for this race, HOWEVER, should you need to drop out for any reason: injury, schedule conflicts, fear…you can roll over your entire registration amount to the 2020 Trident. We do not want you to leave empty handed!

The Horrible Half
The race itself is an out-and-back “loop” of 3.29 miles repeated 4 times for a distance of 13.1 miles. While it’s not an ultra marathon, it is very much an endurance event. This race is held during the hottest, most humid time of the year, with a noon start time. August temperatures can peak in the 90’s during the middle of the day, and humidity hovers around the 70-80% mark making for a ridiculous heat index. The white sand temperatures blaze to a searing 120+ degrees! Heat management is crucial. This race is not for everyone. The course is made up entirely of ancient sand dunes, some of it very soft and fluffy, with some gentle rollers and some outright steep climbs. This is the only Half Marathon in south Florida that will give you 1,200+ feet of elevation gain over the entire distance. Combine the brutal terrain with the unrelenting heat and humidity, and you’re running easily the most challenging trail half marathon in Florida.

There is a strict 4 hour cutoff time for the event. Runners must have completed all 4 loops by 4 p.m., or they will be listed as Did Not Finish in their results. You must be on your last loop by 3 p.m. or you will not be permitted to continue. Race management reserves the right to remove anyone from the course who displays distress above and beyond “normal and expected” for this type of event. We will have a medical staff on hand who will be evaluating runners as they make their way through the race.

Race Day Details!
– Parking/Shuttle:

Because the public parking lot at Jupiter Ridge Natural Area is small; less than 10 spots, and because it’s about a half mile to the race starting line, we are providing you a shuttle from an off-site parking lot located at Marcinski Road and Ocean Blvd, right next to the beach. This parking lot has restrooms with real toilets and running water; it will be your last opportunity to use real plumbing before the race, should you need/want to.

The shuttle van will be picking up and dropping off approximately every 10 minutes.

ALL RUNNERS AND VOLUNTEERS MUST USE OFF-SITE PARKING AND TAKE THE VAN TO THE STARTING LINE.

You may be dropped off, but your drop-off person must also use off-site parking if they intend on staying for the race. Jupiter Ridge is open for usual business on race day and we want to keep it clear for visitors not affiliated with the race.

We have rented a nice, new, comfortable, air-conditioned van to take you to the race in style. Please take advantage of it. If you park in the Jupiter Ridge lot, you may be asked to move your car. We are not responsible for anyone getting ticketed or towed because they didn’t follow these instructions.

– Bags/Coolers:

Each runner may have 1 (one) small bag or a small cooler to take with them to the race site. You will be provided with sufficient aid at the race, but if you want anything extra, bring it with you. Nothing larger than a standard duffel bag, please.

– Their Rules/Our Rules:

Jupiter Ridge Natural Area is a protected, environmentally sensitive site owned by Palm Beach County, and managed by Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management. When we are on their property, we must abide by their policies which are as follows:

– no smoking
– no hunting
– no feeding wildlife
– no alcohol
– no discharging firearms
– no pets or domestic animals
– no bicycles or motor vehicles
– no collecting plants or animals

We, as Race Directors, have our own rules, and breaking these will get you disqualified and possibly barred from racing in any of our future events:

– Course cutting/cheating: this one is an automatic disqualification. Zero tolerance. ‘Nuff said.

– Littering: we don’t mean if a Gu wrapper accidentally falls out of your pocket. We mean flagrant littering, knowingly discarding of garbage on the trails.

– Damaging environmentally sensitive plants by going off-course, handling of any animals you might encounter during your race. The race takes place entirely on the double-track sugar sand roads and there should be no reason to go wandering off into the bushes. We will have porta-pottys at the start/finish line, so you’ll have sufficient access to toilets during your race.

– Being Rude To Volunteers:

Our volunteers are quite simply the best, and we love them wholeheartedly. These folks are the backbone of our races, some of which will be sacrificing time with their families, or missing work to come and stand in the heat, getting bit repeatedly by horseflies to help you finish your race. They are to be treated like the rock stars they are. Our volunteers are fellow ultrarunners, race directors, and generally positive, high-energy, fun-loving people who want to help you achieve your goals. We don’t condone or accept disrespectful behavior toward them.

Schwag!
As this race is brought to you by the same folks who brought you the Sand Spur, you can expect the same level of goodies and bling, including amazing finishers medals, shirts, stickers, and other goodies! You’ll also be escorted to and from the race site to a nearby public parking area in an air conditioned van. We’ll also have custom top finishers awards for the top male and female winners. Aid stations will be stocked with plenty of ice, water, liquid fuel, chilled fruit, and other goodies!