The 34th Annual Rick Melanson Peavine Falls Run - Cover Story - June 2015

A Look into the Race and Rick Melanson

By: Alex Morrow, BTC President & Peavine Falls Race Director and Trish Portuese, BTC Historian & Race Events Coordinator 

The Peavine Falls Run began in 1981 and was titled “The Other July 4th Race.” This moniker was developed as a result of the well-known Peachtree 10K Road Race held in Atlanta every Fourth of July – a race that annually boasted upwards of 5000 runners. To compete with such a large race, the BTC came up with an event unlike anything else in town. The Peavine Falls Run is no ordinary race, and that is why it has grown into such a popular local tradition. Why else would more than 500 people race their way up to the top of Peavine Road, only to run back down and then tackle the last 1.2 miles on single-track dirt trails? The uniqueness of the course is one of the endearing elements of the race and why hundreds of runners stay in town for the holiday.

The course was not the only unique element of the race. Founder and longtime Peavine Falls Race Director Rick Melanson ensured that your running experience would be one you never forgot. In the early days of the race, the course layout was merely a suggestion. Each year the course would be modified, and Rick may nor may not tell you about the modifications!  Often runners would take off at the starter’s pistol, return down the mountain, and find that the finish line had been moved to a different location, “preferably at the top of another hill,” if Rick had his way.

Nowadays the course is standardized, the posted routes are followed, the race is chip-timed, and last year, the Peavine Falls Run served as a Road Runners Club of America (RRCA) State Championship Race.  Yes, the race has grown up, but the charm of the race has not been lost. It is still a badge of honor to wear your finisher’s shirt for years to come, letting your fellow runners know that you indeed raced to the top of Peavine Road and back down, braved the single track trail at the end, and lived to tell about it.  With the elevation profile of the race printed on the chest of the shirt in a large graphic, how could one not be proud of such an accomplishment?

Another idea not lost over the years is the belief that this race should serve as an event to give back to the running community. In the age of rising permit costs, fees, and services, many races now charge upwards of $50 for smaller events and well over $100 for larger ones.  But even in its 34^th year, the Peavine Falls Run is only $15 to those who pre-register. Honestly, where else can you find a chip-timed 8.2-mile long race, with a finisher’s shirt, for $15? Our goal at the BTC is to make this race accessible to everyone, and at the $15 price-point, we believe we have done that.

Over the years, “The Other July 4^th Race” morphed into the Peavine Falls Run, and in 2012, it  was renamed The Rick Melanson Peavine Falls Run. Then-BTC President Jennifer Andress wanted to honor Rick for his long and outstanding service to the Birmingham Track Club, the RRCA, and the many races around the state with which he has worked.  And as the BTC Board was quick to acknowledge, “What better way to honor the man who has given so much to the BTC, than by renaming the race he founded after him?”

Rick was one of the originating members of the BTC when the organization formed in 1975, and he was the founder of the Peavine Falls Run. Not only was Rick an amazing race director, he was an avid runner with an impressive resume of accomplishments. To give you an idea of who Rick is, when he turned 40, he celebrated by running 40 miles before breakfast. In 1983, Rick clocked a 2 hour 38 minute marathon at Crazy Jim’s Tupelo, MS Marathon. Not too shabby!

In addition to serving as Race Director for several BTC races, Rick worked tirelessly in numerous other capacities. As a member of the BTC Executive committee, Rick was the BTC Road Race Chairman and Equipment manager, BTC Vulcan Run Finish Line manager, and he had an 8-year stint as the RRCA Alabama State Representative.

Along that illustrious career, Rick won several major awards. He twice received the Dr. Arthur Black Service Award, once in 1980 and again in 1986. The BTC’s oldest award is given annually to the most outstanding club member over the past year for continued outstanding leadership and service to the BTC. Later, the Award was renamed the Dr. Arthur Black/Rick Melanson Annual Service Award to once again further honor Rick. 

Upon his retirement in 2012, Rick received the BTC’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This prestigious award is presented to a member of the BTC who served the club selfishly for many years and whose service always put the interest of the club and the running community above everything else. Those who know Rick love him, and this year when you come out to the race, stop by and say hello. Rick always has some great stories to share about the event and those who ran it.

Rick Melanson

Now you know the history of the race, you know more about the man who created it, and you know when it is being held this year. If you have made it this far, you only have one more step to complete:  Register! The race will begin at 7:00 a.m. from the upper picnic area on Terrace Drive. Many of you know this as the Dogwood Pavilion parking lot. There is also a 6:30 a.m. start for those who wish to walk the course. Like we said earlier, this race is for everyone!

We are expecting another fantastic turnout, and we would love to have you join us in celebrating the 4^th of July in the best way we know how - by running!

To register, click here:  http://birminghamtrackclub.com/peavine-falls-run.php

By: Alex Morrow, BTC President & Peavine Falls Rac

e Director

and Trish Portuese, BTC Historian & Race Events Coo

rdinator