The Ancient Oaks 100 is run on a
3.416 mile trail loop in the Enchanted
Forest in Titusville Florida through a
beautiful forest. This ultramarathon is
a free race for anyone invited. Ancient
Oaks 100 Enchanted Forest Titusville
Florida Ancient Oaks 100 Enchanted
Forest Titusville Florida Ancient Oaks
100 Enchanted Forest Titusville
Florida ultra marathon ultra marathon
100 miles
Ancient Oaks 100
An Ultra Running Event

Titusville, Florida
December 16-17, 2011
Photo:
Ancient Oaks 100 Mile Race
Enchanted Forest
Titusville, Florida
December 16-17, 2011

The course consists of 29 loops of a beautiful 3.46 mile loop consisting mostly of single track and
narrow double track trail (narrow because it is cut for ATV access, not car access) run through the
Enchanted Forest.  The course is about 70% shaded.  See the photos included for an idea of the
terrain.  The trails are not completely flat, but there are no big hills.  There are a few roots, mostly on the
Magnolia Loop (back loop), but the entire course is runnable, with the possible exception of the 10 or so
steps up after crossing the canal as shown in the picture below and some sandy spots (just to save your
energy).  There are no sections that are steep or very technical.  If you want to try your first 100, this
may be the course for you, though it is a little more challenging than it first appears.  This is caused by
small rises and falls that keep it from being completely flat, as well as some sandy areas.  The effect
creeps up on you as the laps go by.  One possible issue also is the Florida weather, which can be a bit
unpredictable, but is usually very nice in December.  Here is the historical info according to Weather
Underground:

The Average High Temperature is 71 F with a historical range of 59 F to 82 F  
The Average Low Temperature is 58 F with a historical range of 42 F to 73 F  
There is a 37% chance of a Cloudy Day
The Average High Dew Point is 40 F with a historical range of 32 F to 66 F

In other words, usually pretty nice.  Cloudy and windy don't really matter, since most of the race is shady
and in the woods.  The chance of rain is probably only about 10%.  However, there is a slight chance of
being a little warm or humid (by non-Florida standards).

Race Start: 7:00 AM on Saturday 12/16/11

Awards: You can print your own if you want, but none are provided.

Fee: Free, but by invitation only as noted below.  If you care to make a donation to some charity or to
the race, OK but Stu and Mike do not charge a fee or require any donation.  They are just giving back to
running by putting on a free race.

Aid: Every loop.  Usually pretty well stocked, but nothing is guaranteed other than water.  However, it is
also pretty easy to set up your own cooler, drop bag, etc, which you will get back to every 3.5 miles.  
Runners are expected to be self sufficient and to run without pacers.

Restrooms: Every 3.5 miles at the "Center".  Please do not litter the trail.

Cutoff: 32 Hours (3 PM Sunday)

Rules: Always follow the course.  Be courteous.  No whining.

Entry: By invitation only, but e-mail Mike Melton at mike@mcmelton.com.  The race is limited to 60
runners and did fill up in 2010.  There is no qualifying.  Special consideration is given to runners who
ran last year or live in Florida, but anyone is welcome to request an invitation.  You should do so by
August 31, as Mike plans to issue invitations soon after.  A later request may get you wait listed (in case
someone else drops out in advance).

Other Considerations: The park does not allow pets, bikes, or smoking and no littering!
Big Oak Tree In the Back on Magnolia Loop - A Few Roots
Cas Camara in 2008 Cruising Through the Woods
There Are Two Wooden Bridges Over Swampy Areas
Bridge Over Addison Canal Leading to Coquina Trail - It's Fun!
Start of 2008 Race (Time Was Wrong on the Camera)
Runners and Volunteers Helping Each Other at the Aid Station on Each Loop.
(That is Stu, the Race Director Standing and Mike Melton His Co-Director and
Recent Solo Finisher of the Florida Ragnar Relay in Grey)
Course Map
Pretty simple.  The 2010 course will follow the path shown in purple (from Google Maps
courtesy of Matt Mahoney).  A shady spot near the parking lot area usually suffices as a
semi-self supplied aid station, though there may be a couple of volunteers (including some
pretty well known Florida ultra runners and the President of Florida East Coast Runners).  
There are also rest rooms and a water fountain at the building where the blue marker is.  

About the course:
The Enchanted Forest is a beautiful natural park featuring diverse terrain and ecosystems, ranging from a
high and dry ridge-line to shaded forests and swampy areas.  However, the trails are well maintained and
you will never be running on a bad surface, other a few sections on each loop that are a little sandy.

The course includes about 0.1 miles of asphalt (going through the parking lot) and about 0.1 miles of
concrete (wheelchair access portion) per loop.  The other 3.3 miles per loop are natural surfaces.  The
Ridge Trail is a little sandy in spots and a short section of  the "Coquina" trail is very sandy also, but the
rest is mostly hard-packed single track trails winding through the forest.  As shown to the right and on the
map there are 2 bridges over swampy areas.

Maximum Elevation: About 25 feet above sea level

Total Elevation Change: Probably about 200 feet total per loop in very small increments, maybe 6,000
feet total in 100 miles.  East central Florida is a pancake.  The park is not perfectly flat, but for anyone
coming from a hilly area, this is not challenging as far as hills.  The largest hill is about 15 feet.  There are
just quite a few small rises.  The more significant challenges as far as your legs are the sandy sections.  
Walking the worst of those may be a good strategy.

Past Results:
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
The Ancient Oaks 100 is run on a 2.75
mile trail loop in the Enchanted Forest
in Titusville Florida through a beautiful
forest. This ultramarathon is a free
race for anyone invited. Ancient Oaks
100 Enchanted Forest Titusville
Florida Ancient Oaks 100 Enchanted
Forest Titusville Florida Ancient Oaks
100 Enchanted Forest Titusville
Florida ultra marathon ultra marathon
100 miles
Getting There
From the North:
I-95 to exit 215, east on SR-50 about 1/4 mile to first light.  Turn right on SR-405.  After about 3 miles
and 3 lights find the Enchanted Forest on your left.

From the West:
SR-50 or SR-407 (Titusville branch off of Beeline) and then follow directions from north or south, which
pick up on those roads.

From the South:
I-95 to exit 212, northeast on SR-407 about 2 miles to the first light.  Turn right on SR-405.  After about
1 mile and 1 light find the Enchanted Forest on your left.

From the East:
Not likely you are truly coming from very far east with mostly the Kennedy Space Center and a lot of
water that direction, but you can get there from US-1 as well.  Just take SR-405 west less than half a
mile and find the Enchanted Forest on your right.  It will be the first location with a turn lane to the right.
See You At the Race!
Florida East Coast Runners
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Note: "Ancient Oaks 100 Mile Endurance Run", "Ancient Oaks 100
Miler", "Ancient Oaks 100", "AO100" and " Ancient Oaks 100 Mile Run"
are trademarks claimed by American Remote Vision Company
Pictures From 2009

Results From 2009
2009 Men's winner David James passing the start-finish
several laps into the race.  David broke the course record by
over 2-1/2 hours in 16:41.  David ran the fastest time in the
world last year on a different course.
2009 Women's winner Sheryl Lager passing the start-finish
several laps into the race. She had a smile on her face every
time we saw her.  (Note the mat.  Chip timing made scoring easier
for us).
Note: This is not the official race site,
but it used to be.  We thought it might
be useful and kept it up.  For the
official race site:
http://ancientoaks100.com/
Note: This is not the official race site,
but it used to be.  We thought it might
be useful and kept it up.  For the
official race site:
http://ancientoaks100.com/