More than 100 sign up for races through Everglades

More than 100 people have signed up to run long-distance races through the Florida Everglades.

The Everglades Ultras will be held Saturday in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park in southwest Florida. The races include 50-mile, 50-kilometer and 25-kilometer distances.

Race organizers say that, this year, USA Track & Field has sanctioned the 50-mile and 50-kilometer races as state championships.

Last year, 72 runners finished the races. Race director Bob Becker says that none of the runners reported any encounters with Everglades wildlife.

The races will begin and end near a park ranger station in Copeland. The Fakahatchee is the largest of Florida's state parks. Aid stations will be scattered throughout the race courses and park rangers will patrol the routes in all-terrain vehicles.