GWTC Pine Run 20K at Tall Timbers

One addition on the cancellation:  Packet pick-up definitely is canceled also. We are exploring the option for a full refund, including money paid for a shirt. (This year's shirt—which does not have the year printed on it—will very likely become next year's shirt). 

2026 cancellation

Dear Pine Run runners and ruckers, we are disappointed to announce that we are canceling this year’s event in response to Hurricane Isaias.

We wish we weren’t—running through a muddy forest actually is pretty fun. But there are key things working against us:

• Although Tallahassee won’t be taking a direct hit, Leon County is included in the declared state of emergency because of expected rainfall, the potential for flooding, and the possibility of tornados. Also very relevant to us: Lightning is part of the forecast for Saturday morning.
• Expected rainfall will make it difficult to safely travel the course to get volunteers and water coolers out on the course. In the event of emergencies that require getting people off the course, we’d encounter the same problems. 
• We consulted a meteorologist with connections to GWTC, and his main message was that although local impacts can’t be exactly known right now, Saturday morning events in Tallahassee are all likely to get canceled. In line with that, FSU canceled its “Pre-State” cross country races scheduled for Friday night/Saturday morning in Tallahassee.
• And last, the expansive Pine Run course through the forest doesn’t give us the luxury of making a last-minute decision deep into Friday. 

Ultimately, while the weather could end up better than expected, we also know it could be worse. We aren’t comfortable taking a shot and finding out the hard way that holding the race was a horrible idea (that we had plenty of warning about).

Two other details:

• This regrettably is a cancellation, not a postponement—scheduling difficulties have made it impossible to reschedule.
• We will get back soon on how we’ll close things out. We don’t have details yet, but rest assured, we do NOT like that you’ve paid for a race that isn’t taking place. We will find a solution.  

Our best wishes to everyone to stay safe this weekend!

Carter and Jennifer Hay

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Saturday, October 10, 2026
Tall Timbers Research Station, 13093 Henry Beadel Drive off CR 12, northern Leon County
7:30–10:30 a.m.  (3-hour cutoff) • Race day registration available 6:45–7:15 a.m.

The Pine Run 20K offers a challenging, hilly, and beautiful trail race that takes place in the Tall Timbers research forest. The Pine Run is the only time Tall Timbers is open to runners!

We are excited to offer a rucking option again this year (for those carrying weight on their back): A 14K course (also with a 3-hour cutoff) for ruckers only. Rucking weight standards: 10 lbs. for women and 20 lbs. for men. 

 

REGISTRATION
Registration is on-line only
GWTC Members:
$35 with shirt—guaranteed shirt if ordered by midnight Wed. Sept. 23
$25 without shirt
Non-members:
$40 with shirt—guaranteed shirt if ordered by midnight Wed. Sept 23
$30 without shirt
Race day registration:
Please register on-line before arriving on race day. We'll assign your bib number when you arrive.
$30 for GWTC members
$35 for nonmembers
Race-day shirts $20 (while they last)

 

AWARDS
20K Run:
Top Overall man and woman
Top Master and Grandmaster men and women
Top men and women in 5-year age groups
14K Ruck:
Top two men and women

 

COURSE
This is a gorgeous course that we only have access to once a year—at the Pine Run. It's a challenging route on undulating, grassy trails and double track jeep roads through beautiful piney uplands and Lake Iamonia bottomland. There are some tough hills, but you'll be rewarded for your climb with stunning views of wildflowers, the lake, and miles of pine forests.

You can select "Course maps" from the menu above and view them within RunSignup. Also, a mapmyrun course map for the 20K race can be found here: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5832305251.

For a long route through a large forest, a "point-by-point" isn't possible, but the map gives a general sense of the race, and here are some additional details for the main 20K course:

• The race starts and ends near the Beadel House, running counter-clockwise in an oblong twisted circle.
• The course is liberally marked with pink flags (with directional signs and volunteers where needed).
• Water/Gatorade stations are at *roughly* miles 3, 6, 9, and 11. A short out-and-back begins near mile 5, and a stretch around mile 8-10 is a repeated part of the course.
• You arrive back near the Beadel House for the first time near mile 11—but you still have a little farther to go.
• At this point, you head down "The boot" that takes you briefly toward the Van Brunt Arm of Lake Iamonia before coming back up a memorably tough hill.
• Shortly after mile 12, everyone reemerges from the forest and takes a LEFT on the main gravel road (where you started the race).
• You finish at the Beadel house, giving you lifetime bragging rights as a PINE RUN FINISHER!  

 

The 14K ruck course is almost exactly the same (https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6591896653), but with these three exclusions (with volunteers at each place):

• You skip the short out-and-back at mile 5 (volunteers will keep you heading straight).
• There is no portion of the course that is repeated.

Gatorade/water stations for the ruckers are the same ones used by the runners, but they appear at roughly miles 3, 5.5, and 7.5.

 

AID STATIONS

• There are water coolers and port-o-lets at the start line.
• Gatorade/water stations appear every 2-3 miles on the course.
• Hang around post race to enjoy music and refreshments (BYOB).

 

PACKET PICKUP

• Picking up your bib (and shirt if you ordered one) on Thursday before the race helps race day run smoother for all of us, and everyone who picks up their bib at REI Co-op on Thursday, 5-7 p.m. will be entered to win a $30 REI gift card!
• 1415 Timberlane Rd #201, Tallahassee
• Race day bib pickup 6:45–7:15 a.m.  
• Please be sure to finish race day registration on-line at home to ensure Internet access.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Text race directors Carter Hay (850-294-9388) or Jennifer Hay (850-294-9395). We can't promise to notice our phones ringing on race day, so put the full address in your navigation app that morning. (13093 Henry Beadel Drive)

For more information about Gulf Winds Track Club visit gulfwinds.org.

THANK YOU TALL TIMBERS 
A huge thank you to Tall Timbers for hosting this race and for their tireless work in helping us get the course ready!