GENERAL INFORMATION

Join us for the sixth Heart of the South 500, April 3, 4 and 5, 2009—OR the Heart of the South 200 on April 4th.

The "Heart of the South 500 and 200" were created to:

1. Give a racer a chance to qualify for RAAM,
   www.ultracycling.com/events/raamqualifiers.html
2. Give those already entered in RAMM an opportunity for a great tune up ride and/or exercise a new crew;
3. Provide those long distance riders in the southeast a "RAAM" type long ride;
4. Raise money for disabled athletes via Athletes for Charitable Causes;
5. Provide John Marino events in Alabama; it carries 3 Difficulty Points for the 500, 1 point for the 200;
6. Give me an opportunity to support and publicize the sport of UltraCylcing in the Southeast.
7. Have some fun!

The Heart of the South 500 is a Ultramarathon Cycling Association Sanctioned race. It is a qualifier for solo riders wanting to race in the Race Across America (RAAM) (www.ultracycling.com/events/raamqualifiers.html). It covers roughly 500 miles and travels through north central and northeast Alabama, then through the northwest corner of Georgia, over Fort Mountain State Park to Ellijay - back to Piedmont, Alabama, then to the top Mount Cheaha and then back to Birmingham. The course climbing elevation is roughly 35,000 feet.

We welcome all who want to participate, solos and teams. The race follows RAAM rules, so you have to have a crew and following vehicle(s).

SOLO START TIME is 8 PM ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND TEAMS AT MIDNIGHT. This new start time will ensure qualifying for RAAM is uncomplicated---and---makes official coverage more effective. Please note the meeting times for solos and teams.

The map on this “link” shows the location of the host hotel and starting location. We will start the 500 in the parking lot between the BankCorp South building and Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

AND, again in 2009…The Heart of the South Double Century!!

START TIME---5 AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Heart of the South Double Century covers the first 75 miles of the 500 mile race and then cuts across to the last 125 miles. This is a John Marino event and carries 1 difficulty point. THE DOUBLE DOES NOT REQUIRE A CREW—OR FOLLOWING VEHICLE!!

The double is supported via a moving vehicle (from about 7:00 to the finish) for food, bags, sagging (if necessary). There are many stores along the way for food and drink.

The double starts at 5 AM on Saturday, April 4th. Please stop by the host hotel between 3 and 7:00 PM on Friday, April 3rd to pick up your materials----OR----if you are driving in you can register at the start at 4AM.

The map on this “link” shows the location of the host hotel and starting location. We will start the 200 in the parking lot between the BankCorp South building and Cracker Barrel Restaurant.

If you have an interest in helping out please see the “Staffing Needed” page. I will update with names as I obtain them during the year. Any event must have help, please consider doing so. Thanks.

Sunrise is at 6:30 AM and sunset is at 7:00 PM.