How the Pinhoti 100 trail race got its start

By Henry Howard

Perhaps best known for the Pinhoti 100 trail race, Todd and Jamie Henderson put on an annual series of ultra trail races in Alabama. Their involvement has spanned the time when RDs received race entries via the mail to now when they use online platforms to manage runners for their Pinhoti Trail Races events.

It was their passion for the ultra running community that brought them to the sport, and is keeping them invested.

“Over the last 22 years we have seen tremendous interest in the sport,” Jamie says. “It has flourished over the years which makes us really happy knowing that we had a part in making it happen from the inception of ultra running in our area.”

For their contributions to trail and ultra races in Alabama, Todd and Jamie Henderson are my featured race directors for August. This is the 32^nd in this monthly series and the first to feature a couple. In January 2024, I kicked off this monthly feature to pay tribute to the trail and ultra race directors who make the sport great.

To see previous RDs featured, they are all available here. If you have any nominations, feel free to email me here or fill out this form.

Todd and Jamie Henderson, race directors of Pinhoti Trail Races

Question: Why did you get into race directing?

Answer: In 2005, a friend in the Anniston Runners Club asked Todd to join him on a run on a nearby trail called the Pinhoti Trail. They ran together on the and never saw another soul. Todd told his friend that we have to create an event on this trail and bring people to see, “Alabama the Beautiful” and the Pinhoti Trail.

So Todd’s friend, Wayne Heckler, and Jamie directed the first Mount Cheaha 50K, “The Race to the Top of Alabama.” But it was a team effort.

Wayne knew how to create a website with all the information. Todd wheeled the entire course to get an accurate measurement of the 50K course, since they wanted runners to go up the mountain point to point to make it challenging.

The first race was in February 2006. Honestly, we didn’t know what we were doing and had to make several trips the night before the race to Wal-Mart, which was 30 miles away. The next morning, 76 runners showed up and three of them have run it every year since. In 2027, Allen Smith, Dink Taylor and Robert Pless will run their 22^nd Mount Cheaha 50K. Dink always says Mount Cheaha 50K is his favorite race.

The first Mount Cheaha 50K was so cold, wet, rainy and foggy that we contemplated never directing another race ever! But then, the calls, emails and mail started coming in. People wanted to come see the Pinhoti and run Mount Cheaha 50K. We have been directing races since before online registrations. Checking the mail daily for entrants was phenomenal and the entrants list kept growing. We were amazed! Mount Cheaha 50K now has more than 300 participants annually.

Question: What other races do you direct?

Answer: From the Mount Cheaha 50K, we created the Pinhoti 100 (the one and only). Next up was Rockin’ Choccolocco 50K and 25K (we have since added other distances, a 10K and kid’s run. And last but not least in any manner, the Rebecca Mountain 50 Miler. It now offers 50K and 25K options as well.

We also direct the Oak Mountain 50K, the second oldest 50K in the southeast. We acquired it from Scotto and Jackie Parkie several years ago and have added 25K and 10K options. It is a beautiful course that entails passing through the pool of one of Alabama’s tallest waterfalls. 

Each race has been carefully created. Each race brings amazing runners each year which gives us the desire to continue this journey of race directing and making tough dreams come true!

Question: What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned about yourselves since becoming race directors?

Answer: We believe in the beauty of the ultra running community. We not only race direct but give our time in helping other race directors fulfill aid stations at other local races. We want to see the community grow in our area. Over the last 22 years we have seen tremendous interest in the sport. It has flourished over the years which makes us really happy knowing that we had a part in making it happen from the inception of ultra running in our area.

Question: What’s your best piece of advice for someone who wants to be a race director?

Answer: Strive to make a wonderful family-oriented environment! Remember, no race is perfect! But the experience you create for the runners is what they will remember! 

Question: What’s your favorite race to direct?

Answer: We love directing all our races but the Pinhoti 100 brings excitement to everyone involved. We have some of the same volunteers year after year who look forward to serving runners from all over the U.S. and abroad. Several years ago, we decided to add themes to our 16 aid stations. The volunteers have taken this challenge to the next level. We have a race car theme, coffee shop theme, Wizard of Oz, Buccees, Disco, Aliens, Burgers/Beer, Taco Bar, 80’s, ER, dress up characters and Waffle House. We have close to 200 volunteers who chime in and make this race one of the funniest environments we have ever seen. 

Question: What’s your favorite race to run?

Answer: We love many races! Todd loves to run long distance races so he loves Mountain Mist in Huntsville, Ala. We are friends with Dink Taylor, the race director. Todd has finished this race 10 times. He also just completed Cruel Jewel 100 in May. I keep my distances to half marathons or trail 25Ks. 

Question: Tell me about a funny experience as a race director and what you learned from it.

Answer: On one of the very first Pinhoti 100s, Jamie was in the van for dropped runners. It was raining and we had several people. We needed to turn around. Jamie convinced the driver to back up in this one area that she knew was flat. But, because of the rain, it was muddy, and we got stuck … out in the middle of nowhere. Jamie convinced the runners to get out and give the van a push so we could be on our way. They all got out and pushed, and we made it out! But not one person ever said a word! They were exhausted!

Question: If a runner can only do one of your races ever, it would be ....

Answer: Mount Cheaha has the best of everything. The race starts to the song Sweet Home Alabama and runs point to point to the top of Mount Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama. It has all the views, creek crossings, downhills and of course the famous .8 of a mile “Blue Hell” climb. This is a climb of boulders and scenery that you do not want to miss. After the climb, and a few more easy trails, you finish at the beautiful Bald Rock Lodge. You are always greeted at the finish line by Jamie and Todd with the words, ”Welcome to the Top of Alabama!” as you finish your race!

Question: What exciting project do you have in the works?

Answer: We would love to start other races. We are hoping to bring a race to south Alabama … so that could be in the works. 

Question: Where can runners find out more about your Pinhoti 100 Trail Race and others?

Answer:       

• Races page: www.pinhotitrailraces.com 

• Ultrasignup links: https://ultrasignup.com/groups.aspx?gid=94