Little Firefly Run: A Nighttime Half Marathon Adventure
Join us for the inaugural Little Firefly Run, a magical half marathon that combines the love of running with the enchanting beauty of fireflies lighting up the night. Set in the heart of Hickman County, this unique event aims to share the joy and wonder of one of the area’s most beautiful natural phenomena.
When: Late evening, June 7, 2024
Where: Starting in Little Lot, Lyles, TN 37098
Experience the Magic of the Night
The Little Firefly Run is not just a race; it’s an experience designed to illuminate the beauty of nature at night. Starting just before sundown, at around 8:00 PM, runners will embark on a journey through the scenic landscapes of Hickman County, culminating in a spectacular display of fireflies.
Race Details
- Distance: Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
- Start Time: 8:00 PM, aligning with the start of civil twilight to ensure runners reach the firefly spectacle at the perfect moment.
- Expected Finish Time: It will be completely dark by about 9:50 PM, allowing participants to fully immerse themselves in the wonder of tens of thousands of fireflies lighting up the trees.
- Course Type: Mix of paved and gravel roads.
- Awards: All finishers will be given a finisher’s token.
Why Join the Little Firefly Run?
- Experience Nature’s Light Show: Witness the breathtaking sight of fireflies illuminating the night, a rare and beautiful event.
- Embrace the Challenge: Tackle the half marathon distance and push your limits in a unique nighttime setting.
- Share the Joy: Be part of a community coming together to celebrate the beauty of Hickman County and the joy of running.
Safety and Enjoyment
The safety of our participants is paramount. The Little Firefly Run will be supported with safety measures suitable for nighttime running, including route lighting at critical points and reflective gear requirements for runners. Participants are encouraged to bring headlamps or flashlights to enhance their visibility and safety.
Registration
Secure your spot in this one-of-a-kind event and be part of an unforgettable night. Registration is through UltraSignUp.com
Join Us Under the Stars
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or a beginner excited by the idea of running under the stars, the Little Firefly Run promises an unforgettable experience. Lace up your running shoes, light up the night, and let’s share the joy and beauty of Hickman County together.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a night filled with adventure, beauty, and the twinkling lights of fireflies. Register now and light up the path to an unforgettable experience.
Updates
2024-05-29
We can’t wait to see you next weekend for the Little Firefly run. Here are a few details and updates on our run that is just about 1 week out.
Course Distance:
We finished measuring out the last 4 miles of the course today. We measured a distance of 69,218 feet for the half marathon distance.
Course Condition:
About half the course is paved and the other half country back roads. Some parts of the back road is nice and other parts require slowing down and walking carefully. The recent storms have made a few spots a bit rough but should be totally fine if you take your time.
This course is not a fast flat road course. There are a good number of hills so come expecting a challenge. I would categorize it somewhere between crazy hilly and totally flat.
Plants Warning:
It’s best to stay on the road/path as we do have poison ivy and poison hemlock in the area. Please don’t go off the side of the road unless you are able to identify these plants and are able to avoid them.
Animal Warning:
We are running out in the country. While I have run this area for 2 years without any issues, there is a good deal of wildlife here. Please run aware. If you don’t already regularly run with pocket pepper spray, maybe you will want to bring some this time. We prefer POM.
Finisher Medals:
Our finisher medals arrived! I had my wife design them and then we had laser cut out of wood. I’m really excited to give these out to each of you after you cross the finish line.
Staying Visible:
Please be sure you bring some kind of light to illuminate your path as you run. It will get dark, which is the point of the run, and you will want it so you don’t hurt yourself. I prefer a headlamp but a handheld flashlight would work in a pinch. I have a reflective ankle band for each runner to wear that we will be handing out. If you have any other reflective gear I encourage wearing it to improve your visibility to any cars that may be on the road during the run. When I run the dirt portion of the course I almost never see a car but the paved portion towards the river where the fireflies will be does get more residential traffic though I’m hoping it will be at a minimum while we are out there.
Race Packets:
When you arrive you will receive a few things:
- Race number bib
- Choice of safety pins or pinless bib fasteners
- Ankle reflective band
Aid Stations:
We will have a few aid stations place along the course. Since it is an out an back, with the start/finish towards the middle, you will pass each aid station twice. We plan on having jugs of water to fill your drink containers with. We will also have a few snack that you can grab. Since we won’t have a volunteer at each station we will be keeping the snacks in a small tote to keep wildlife from snatching up the snacks before you get there.
Emergency:
We are working hard to prevent any emergencies but life is not without risk. In case of emergency, please use your best judgement. Any life threatening situations, please call 911 first and then call me.
We have 2 hospitals in our area. Our closest hospital is a small one in Centerville. Ascension St Thomas Hickman which is 14 miles west or about 18 minutes. Our larger hospital is 25 miles north or about 35 minutes at TriStar Horizon Medical Ctr.
Weather:
We are watching the weather reports with anticipation and praying for great weather. If weather conditions are determined to be dangerous then we will attempt to reschedule to the following evening or the following week. We really hope we don’t have to but we won’t put racers lives at risk if there is a tornado watch or risk of lightning strikes. We don’t think we will have to reschedule but wanted to let you know we have a plan and are watching the weather.