Lost Falls 50k, Half Marathon, & 10k

March 2, 2024 • Fort Payne, AL

Fort Payne, Alabama home of Little River Canyon Half Marathon

Lost Falls 50k, Half Marathon, and 10k is the first-ever Ultra trail event in Desoto State Park in Fort Payne, Alabama, with its inaugural year having taken place in March of 2022.

Taking place in one of the most naturally beautiful state parks in southeast Alabama, Lost Falls 50k, half marathon, and 10k offers its lucky participants incredible sites and bluff views of awe-inspiring waterfalls and creek crossings throughout the single-track trail course. Be prepared, however, for some wet feet due to a few water crossings along the way.

Knowingly technical and elevation-heavy like any trail run, especially in the second half of the course, Lost Falls remains a fan favorite for its unique and challenging landscape.

As runners line up at the start line in Desoto State Park waiting for the gun to go off, they’ll be anticipating a straight shot forward before reaching a hard right turn onto White Trail.

Just before reaching mile 2, runners will turn onto the Family Bike Loop. This is a looping 2-mile trail that leads runners to the Lost Falls Trailhead. From there, runners will jump onto a dizzying trail known as the “Never Never Land Mountain Bike Trail” until reaching mile 7.5, turning onto Blue Trail until a turn to Green Trail at mile 9.

Finally, it’s onto Chalet Trail until reaching Gilliam Loop for the homestretch back toward the Desoto State Park finish line.

This race is capped at 350 participants. If you’re one of the lucky registrants, you’ll receive a race t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and a hot meal to be enjoyed with your dearest supporters.

Aid stations are placed along the course at miles 3.6, 7.1, 8.5, and 10.8 comprising both water and Gatorade, as well as carb-heavy treats like granola bars and M&M’s. Note, however, that this is a “cupless” race, meaning you must have a reusable bottle or pack on hand.

Finally, because the event has a mission to bring more people to the awesome sport of trail running and ultra-endurance, very loose and undefined cut-off times can be expected for all races, the half marathon included.

Race Weather & Climate

Set in the northeastern part of the state, only 20 miles from the state line of Georgia, the city of Fort Payne, in early March, offers runners a transition from winter to spring, with average high temperatures ranging from 58ºF to 64ºF and lows between 36ºF to 41ºF. As the weather becomes milder and with moderate rainfall (around 5 inches for the month).

On race day (March 2), the average low is 64ºF and the average high is 40ºF.