Cactus Classic Trail Race   Date and Time:      NEXT YEAR: Saturday March 9th 2013, 9AM start   Distance:     -10K (actual distance is approximately 6.4 miles)     -HALF MARATHON (actual distance is approximately 13.4 miles)     -MARATHON (2x loops on the half marathon course.) Registration:    2013 registration will open in late 2012, please stay tuned!       PAST RESULTS:      - 2012 Official Results-      - 2011 Official Results-      - 2010 Official Results- 2012 Overall Winners:                           Mens Overall Winners                                    Womens Overall Winners. Photos:      -2012 MARATHON Photos by Brian Coates.      -2012 HALF MARATHON Photos by Brian Coates.      -2012 10K Photos by Brian Coates.      -2012 Photos by David Shaver.      -2011 Photos by Brian Coates.      -2011 Photos by Bob Padilla/Fujimo Sports Photography   Videos:      -YouTube Video of 2012 Race Start by Brian Coates   Race Director:      Greg DeKeyser SWAG!      There will be a change with the race gear for the 2012 race.  In prior years everyone got the same gear, regardless of the distance being run.  This year there will be progressively cooler gear for the longer distances.  All the distances will get something awesome...but the marathoners will certainly get the best stuff.  Details will be posted when they are finalized Awards:    Overall Male/Female for each distance    1st-3rd place Male/Female for 39 and under (Open)    1st-3rd place Male/Female for 40 to 55 (Masters)    1st-3rd place Male/Female for 56 and up (Grand Masters)    *due to the wide range of finish times,  awards will be handed out as runners cross the finish line. Time Limits:     Given the challenging nature of the course and distance, Marathon-distance runners may be blocked from begining their 2nd loop of the course if they have taken longer than 3.5hrs for the first loop.    Course Description:      This course runs through the pine forests of Sand Ridge State Forest.  It begins and ends at the "Oak Campground".  The trail is has many flat runable section with several rolling sections.   The trails themselves consist of loose sandy soil for which the park is named.  Running these trails is similar to running on a beach.  This race is named for the variety of cactus which grows wild throughout the park.  Keep your eyes open and you should be able to spot them.          -10K Course: The course in green is run clockwise on the map below.  The first road crossing and aid station (#1 on the map) is at mile 2.1 on the GPS.   Road crossings are unassisted, use caution! The 2nd road crossing is mile 3.44 on the GPS.  The 3rd road crossing and 2nd aid station (#4 on the map) is at mile 4.4 on the GPS.  The 4th and last road crossing is at mile 5.75 and the finish line is at mile 6.4         -Half & Marathon Course: The course is shown in blue below.  It will begin with the 10K course and split off shortly after the first aid station.  The first aid station is at 2.1 miles (#1) and the split off is at 2.35 miles. Road crossings are unassisted so use caution.  There will be an unmanned aid station at approximately the 5 mile (#2)mark. Please pack out the water bottles from this aid station, do not leave them on the trail!   Aid Station (#3) may or may not be manned and is at approximately 9 miles. The next aid station it at the 11.4 mile mark (#4) which is shared with the 10K course. The remainder of the course will be shared between with the 10K distance.  The marathon distance will consist of 2 loops of the half-marathon course.        -NOTE: Please note the distances between aid stations (above).  Most people who chose to run the half or full marathon may find that they need to carry a handheld water bottle or a water pack of some sort.  Please judge for yourself and plan accordingly!   Course Map: