It is with regret that we find it necessary to cancel this year's Carl Touchstone Mississippi 50 Trail Run. We have been in constant contact with the United States Forest Service in our area regarding the trail since Hurricane Katrina. The Desoto National Forest trail on which the run is conducted suffered extensive damage and has not opened to this date. Despite great effort by Rangers in our area and those from many other areas they can not predict a date when the trail may open, at this time. Many trees are down and will be removed by contractors ASAP. Other overhanging dead limbs represent falling hazards which will only be removed by time and mother nature.

 

With the lag time of organizing the run, acquiring shirts, trophies and all of the supplies necessary to give all participants the event they have come to expect from the Mississippi 50 we simply can not put this event on until we are assured the trail will be open. Unfortunately, like most damage from this Hurricane, timing is not in anyone's control.

 

To give those of you who have no idea what happened, except in New Orleans, roofers are backlogged 5 years. Desoto Forest lost 50 to 60 % of trees in some areas and everything within about 1/2 mile of the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Harrison and Hancock counties is simply gone.

 

We will return on the second Saturday of March 2007 and have our best event ever.

 

Those who have registered will receive a full refund including any fees Active.com charged.

 

Regretfully, for our entire Race Committee,

 

 

 

Dennis Bisnette

Race Director        See a 10/05 report on the forest