Broken Boulder 2024

Short review

Join us for the sixth annual Broken Boulder Trail Race on November 25th at 8am. Just like last year this is a free race. A chance for us to show our thanks to our running community and the volunteers that make our events possible. 

Registration is set to open this Friday at 7am. The cap is set at 50 for now. We are reserving about 20 more spots for volunteers or first time runners. We want to make sure that those who donate their time to the community and club will have a chance to run the race. As we are in the busy race season there are several races coming up where we need volunteers. The Turkey Run in Herrin, Tunnel hill 10 Miler, Tunnel Hill 50/100, and Broken Boulder

Sometime in 2014, I was introduced to trail running by Jason Claunch. For the next several years Jason showed me a lot different trails but I always liked the trails at Ferne the most. On a lot of those runs, Jason and I would discuss our ideas on how to introduce more runners to trail running and the wonderful trails at Ferne Clyffe. One night as I was lying in bed tryin to sleep, the idea hit me. I jumped out of bed and text Jason, Let’s have a trail race at Ferne and make it free. He was on board right away so that’s what we did. We spent some more time out there to come up with the best route, and in 2018, we hosted our first Broken Boulder!!!

 The Broken Boulder Trail Race is an amazing tour of the beautiful Ferne Clyffe State Park! This tough but runnable course will highlight all of the great sights within the park: High lookout points, creek crossings and even a natural land bridge. The trail will consist of some technical single track along with some wide fire roads. With 1400’ of climbing over the 11 mile course, this ain’t your dad’s turkey trot. 

The first and last 1/2 mile of the race will be on the road. The rest of the race will be trail. Great caution is advised as there are very dangerous ares within the park so be alert and stay on the trail. This race is a cup less race. Meaning you will be required to bring your own device to carry hydration with you; e.g. hydration vest, handheld bottle, plastic bag, or the last minute water bottle you got at the gas station duct taped to your hand. There will be 3 aid stations on the course. Aid Station One is at mile 2.75. This one will be passed again at 3.5. Aid Station 2 is 4.75 miles at the top of The Boyscout Trail. Aid Station 3 will be around mile 6. After this aid station you head off to a more remote section of the park. Again, be careful and stay on the trail.