Funest 50k @ Carter Rd

The Funest 50k, 30k, and 10k at Carter Rd is scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Loyce E. Harpe Park in Mulberry, Florida. This event utilizes the technical mountain bike trails of an abandoned phosphate mine, offering a series of rolling hills, twists, and turns that are rare for the Florida landscape. The course is a 10k loop, requiring five circuits for the 50k participants. Due to the challenging terrain of sand and dirt trails, organizers advise that even elite runners may struggle to maintain a 10-minute pace in certain sections. The race is capped at 100 total participants across all distances to maintain the quality of the trail experience and ensure a community-focused atmosphere.

Mulberry is a city in Polk County, Florida, located within the Florida Bone Valley, with a population of approximately 4,000 residents. The demographic profile of Mulberry is approximately 53.6% White (Non-Hispanic), 30.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, and 3.4% from two or more races. The median annual household income in the city is roughly $51,000. Geographically, Loyce E. Harpe Park (locally known as Carter Road) is a reclaimed mining site, which provides unique elevation changes and ridges not typically found in the surrounding flatlands. The climate in mid-April in Central Florida features average lows of 16°C (61°F) and highs of 28°C (83°F). High humidity is common, and the exposed sections of the trails can become quite warm by midday, making hydration management critical for those on the 10-hour cut-off pace.

Registration for the 2026 event closes on April 16th, with a portion of every entry fee donated to Polk County Parks and Recreation for trail maintenance. The race hub at the park pavilion offers a significant food spread including quesadillas, burgers, and pulled pork served later in the day for the ultra-distance finishers. Bib pickup is available on race morning starting at 6:00 AM. In addition to a clearly marked path with over 600 markers, runners are encouraged to carry a charged mobile phone due to the technical nature of the bike trails. Top performers and masters finishers receive specific awards, while all finishers are presented with custom socks and stickers. The current 50k course record is held by Jonathan Kier, who set a time of 4:43:14 in 2025.