Scramble 10K Map-Challenging Trail Course
Our new 10K course is being introduced this year: the Scrub Jay Scramble 10K. This challenging race route that will take you deep into the park. Expect very sandy trails, narrow bridge crossings and some ups and downs in the terrain. This course is designed by trail runners for trail runners. If you are more of a road race person, the 5K course is designed for you.
Start at Lake Osprey along shell road and turn onto the head of the Yellow Trail as you run through this maintained scrub habitat. Be on the lookout for Scrub Jay cheering you on. This section of the trail is sandy in areas and will narrow in places. Coming off this section run past the Legacy Trail head and follow the shell road around before cutting in on the Lake Osprey Trail. This short section is an assessible trail and hard packed before the route takes you over the narrow campground walk bridge through a section of the campground to one of the parks newest trails. The Orange Trail has some slopes, lots of tree roots and a narrow log bridge over a small tributary. This trail takes you under the historic train trestle and under the popular Legacy Trail.
Don’t step on any gators while you stride around Big Lake. Take in the views as you admire the restoration effort and the rookery that is starting to provide a future nesting area for birds. Over a small bridge and through the woods as you travel in the back side of the park along the Yellow Trail. The trail has areas of soft sand that will slow you down but encourage you to keep going because the race isn’t over yet. You will pass through some of the parks prettiest pine flatwoods, huge oak hammocks and scrubby flatwoods, the habitat that supports the Florida Scrub jay. A portion of the route takes you along some of the narrowest sections of South Creek. Over a couple foot bridges as you begin your route back toward the start of the race to the finish line. The course will have you return along the Orange Trail again with a whole new perspective from this direction. Don’t forget to watch for the tree roots along the route and that narrow log crossing. Back across the campground foot bridge and head down the sidewalk in front of Lake Osprey where the crowd cheers you on to the finish line. Make a sharp left turn behind the restroom building and your finish line is in sight.
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