Medoc Meltdown 50K and Marathon Fun Run
Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
7:30 am Start
Medoc Meltdown files in Dropbox:
https://www.dropbox.com/home/Medoc%20Meltdown%2050K
Park opens 7:00 am (yes, the web site says 8 am, but I know people)
This is a Fat Ass run, meaning it is not a race. There is no entry fee, no age group awards, no whining, and there will not be much aid beyond water and any donations. It’s an opportunity to gather, play in the woods with old and new friends (plus plenty of NC horse flies!), and enjoy the hot and steamy beauty of a North Carolina State Park in August.
Come run 1, 2, or 3 laps, or the full Meltdown 50K!
I do have highly coveted finishing awards for those who do the full Meltdown 50K (4 laps).
Key Notes:
• New in 2023: Marathon finish. 3 laps and an out and back to the road = 26.2+. New award in 2025 for Marathon finish - come see if it's worth the suffering.
• Bring a bag of ice to share – it makes the water much better (and cold!)
• Bring something to share such as chips or other easy to share ultra food.
• Watch out for each other and know your limits!
• There are showers in the camp area if you overheat and need to cool down.
There will be ice water, Sqwincher electrolyte beverage, & ice at:
• The start of each lap (the picnic shelter)
• 5.5 mile point (50 yard walk to start line and any aid you want to keep at the picnic shelter)
• The end of the loop at the picnic shelter (3.1 miles from last aid station). There is also a bathroom you will pass at the beginning/end of each loop.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFO:
-Course – The course is 8.6 mile loop in the shape of a figure 8, where the middle (and first aid station) is 50 yards from the picnic shelter. Sections are 5.5 miles and 3.1 miles long. Your mileage may vary. Turn sheet is posted on the Facebook page, in then Dropbox link (above), and limited copies will be available on race morning. If you do not know the old Medoc Marathon / 10 Miler course, keep up with the person ahead of you for the first lap!
-This is a Fat Ass event - Bring your own aid (see the no whining above). I will provide ice cold water, Sqwincher electrolyte beverage, and ice. Feel free to bring an extra bag of ice to share! The park has water available, but absolutely anything else you require, bring yourself.
-Aid Station Donations – Feel free to bring items to share at one of the 2 aid stations. In the past, we have had chips, cookies, and other ultra type food donated for the aid stations. If you require something special, bring it.
-You MUST carry some form of hydration. It is August in North Carolina – hot and humid is to be expected, as is the possibility of dehydration. Veteran ultra runners have had dehydration issues at the Meltdown – don’t let us find you curled up in a ball on the side of the trail.
-Alcoholic Beverages - Park regulations say "No Alcoholic Beverages Allowed."
-Take care of each other – It is hot and humid in NC in August (see a theme??) – please watch out for other runners and know your own limits! If in doubt, ask someone for assistance - be it ice, salt tablets, or just watching you if you don’t feel right. Last thing I want is to turn this into a memorial run each year in your name. Pretty sure you and your loved ones agree.
-Bathrooms – There are real bathrooms at the start line (the picnic shelter) and in the campground (and real showers!). They even have sinks in every bathroom!
-Cell phone service is questionable – I use AT&T and get no signal in the Park. Other providers may get service.
-I would also suggest carrying a whistle for emergency use, as cell service is not always available.
-Meet at the main picnic shelter. To get to the picnic area, turn into the park entrance off SR 561 and head south (SR 1322), pass the park office on your right, travel about 1.5 miles and turn left onto the main park road - the shelter will be at the end of this road. If coming from other direction, right on the main park road off of SR 1322.
-Park at the shelter parking area or along the road to the shelter (right side of road as you come in).
-We will begin the run at approx. 7:30 am. The park opens at 7:00 am.
-Lap Times - While this is not a race, we will record lap times. You have the option of running 1, 2, 3 or 4 laps (a.k.a. 'The Total Meltdown'). Each lap about 8.6 miles, so the total run works out to be just over 34 miles. Complete the 50K to receive a finisher’s award – a hand painted rock.
-Cut-Off Time - There is no cut-off time, but I will be packing up around 3:15 pm and leaving at 4 pm. This allows 7 ½ hours after start or about a 14:30 per mile pace. Let me know before 2 pm if you plan on being longer so I can figure out how to record your time in the results and get you a finishing rock, I mean award . . .
-Bugs - Bug spray is highly suggested! There are very large black flies that can bite through shirts. You have been warned!
-Medoc Mountain, which is approximately 1hr and 15 minutes northeast of Raleigh, consists mostly of wide, well-maintained dirt trails. Despite its name, there is little elevation change (except for the 2 significant uphills!)
-Camping - If you want to bring an RV or want a camp site, reservation can be made through the NC Parks reservation system
http://tinyurl.com/medoc50K
-Showers - There are shower facilities available for all to use. One set of showers is located at the group campground area and another you will pass several times on the 50K.
Thanks to Cameron Kelly and Frank Lilly for creating the Medoc Meltdown 50K and allowing me to continue the tradition!
Distances:
1 lap = 8.6 miles
2 laps = 17.2 miles
3 laps = 25.8 miles (0.4 miles short of a marathon)
3 Laps and Out An Back = 26.2+ Marathon Fun Run
4 laps = 34.4 miles (56K, but who’s counting)
Getting There:
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
36.2639, -77.8883
36°15'50"N, 77°53'18"W
Medoc Mountain State Park
1541 Medoc State Park Rd
Hollister, NC 27844
Medoc Park Information:
http://tinyurl.com/medoc50K
Also check out other Sports events in Hollister, Trips & Adventurous Activities in Hollister.
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