BUTS Race Against The Sun

The Race Against The Sun is back after a year off and ready to test even the toughest runners grit, endurance and sanity. Will anyone finish this year? RATS is established as probably the toughest race in Alabama with its 5% finisher rate. We are excited to be working closely in conjunction with Ruffner Mountain again this year. All of the proceeds from this race will go to the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve. This year we have two registration level, $30 for Ruffner Mountain members, and $60 for non-members. So, if you aren't a member already, become one now! 

In order to register this year you have to have finished at least a 50k trail race in the last year. This is not a race for beginners. The challenge that awaits is physical, mental, and navigational. Since June 21st is the Summer Solstice we will celebrate with a night race on the shortest Saturday night of the year (June 22nd). It will be hot, rugged, dark and challenging. The course will consist of four 9ish mile loops around Ruffner Mountain in Birmingham, AL. It may be 36 miles, it could be as much as 40 miles. The race will begin as soon as the sun sets at 8:00pm on Saturday June 22nd. You will have until sunrise the next morning (5:37am) to complete the course. This event will NOT have elaborate aid stations, it is designed to be minimal and to really test the toughness of a runner. There will be one aid station midway through the 9 mile loop and it will contain at least water. The trails and terrain at Ruffner Mountain are difficult and challenging.