MAAH DAAH HEY trailrun series
Experience the unique challenge of running on North Dakota’s awe inspiring MAAH DAAH HEY TRAIL. This event will give every participant an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. The North Dakota Badlands provide a truly stunning backdrop for one of North America’s most challenging and rewarding stretches of continuous single track trail.
total distance
3.1+ Miles
6.2+ Miles
13.1 Miles
26.2+ Miles
56 Miles
81 Miles
106 Miles
race start
July 26-27, 2024
6AM MDT
3.1+ Medora Musical
6.2+ West River Road
13.1 Buffalo Gap Campground
26.2+ Wannagan Campground (6am)
56 FS Road 708 (6am)
106 CCC Campground (noon Friday)
elevation gain
3.1+ Mostly downhill
6.2+ 632 feet
13.1 1,374 feet
26.2+ 2,391 feet
56 5,984 feet
81 8,862 feet
106 11,975 feet
COURSE RECORD
5K Austin Wanner | 16:56.5
5K April Lund | 18:49.12
10K Kyle Downs | 41:28
10K Elen Lovgren | 48:12.50
13.1+ Kyle Downs | 1:22:33
13.1+ Allie Ostrander | 1:27:41
26.2+ Cole Jensen | 3:17:17.30
26.2+ Lisa Holding Eagle | 4:07:09
56 Kadon Hintz | 8:38:51
56 Ida Narbuvoll | 9:11:31.99
81 Joshua Nehring | 22:48:50
81 Lynne Day | 28:56:04
106 Dalton Struck | 19:37:32.85
106 Lisa Holding Eagle | 23:34:32
about the races
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 5K
Run a 5k unlike any other! This 5k will take you on the Maah Daah Hey through the heart of the North Dakota Badlands. You will leave this race North Dakota Legendary. The majority of this racecourse is on the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail. Racers will start at the highest elevation of their race and literally run downhill all the way to the finish line. You can catch a ride from your own fan club or park your car at the finish line and jump on one of our shuttles up to the Medora Musical Gift Shop. Racers will meet at the flag poles on the west side of the Gift Shop. The race will start at 8am MDT sharp. Runners will have a mass start that begins by heading west across the Medora Musical parking lot. Runners will aim for the two-track jeep trail that connects to the Maah Daah Hey trail. Follow the neon arrows, spray painted on the ground that point you north to the black MDH trail gate. Follow the MDH posts all the way downhill to the end of the trail where you will run underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path. Congratulations, you did it!
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 10K
Add some spice to your race calendar with this exciting 10k! Run on the famous Maah Daah Hey trail and leave with an experience to brag about to anyone and everyone. The MDHTR 10k starts at a much more remote location. The Buffalo Gap Trail intersects West River road just south of I-94’s Exit #23. The race will start on the gravel road giving racers some time to spread out before filing onto the single-track. Be courteous and communicate about passing as needed, once on the trail. Follow the arrows spray painted on the ground, and the 4×6 wooden posts that mark the Buffalo Gap Trail. Before too long you dead end straight into the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At the “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the 4×6 MDH wooden posts, and arrows spray painted on the ground, all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path. Congratulations, you did it!
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 50 MILE
Is there a better place to run an ultra than in the Badlands? The short answer is no. Take in the beautiful scenery with each climb and descent.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 100 MILE
Become one of the few people in the world that can say they’ve run the Maah Daah Hey in a day! Take in the rugged Badlands and experience a part of North Dakota few know.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN HALF marathon
Take your half marathon to a whole new level with the Maah Daah Hey Half Marathon. Bask in the beauty and challenges that the Maah Daah Hey trail brings you. Take a look at the Google map of the MDHTR course, see Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch, that is where this race starts! Runners will leave the Campground on the gravel road and turn left at the T-intersection, giving the faster racers a little bit of time to break away before turning right, onto the the Buffalo Gap Trail. Follow the neon arrows spray painted on the ground, and the 4×6 wooden posts that mark the Buffalo Gap Trail. Then in about 5 miles you will reach your first and only Checkpoint. Get what you need to take you the rest of the way to Medora! Before too long the Buffalo Gap Trail dead ends straight into the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At the “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the 4×6 MDH wooden posts all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path. Congratulations, you did it!
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN marathon
Set yourself apart from other marathon runners. Run the Maah Daah Hey Marathon and become a legend to your friends and family! This challenge will leave you wanting more. This will be one of the most memorable marathons of your life! You will start on the Maah Daah Hey Trailhead, in Wannagan Campground. The trail will take you down to your first of many black gates, immediately followed by your first of many creek crossings. You will be following neon arrows spray painted on the ground, and 4×6 wooden Maah Daah Hey Trail markers for the first few miles. Then you will hang a right onto the Buffalo Gap Trail, which is every bit as raw, rugged and beautiful as the MDH. Once you’ve ran a little over a total of 10 miles you will hit your first of two Checkpoints, Checkpoint “H.” Fill up your bottles and hydration packs with water and/or sports drink. Keep heading south on the Buffalo Gap Trail and in just over 8 miles you will run into your second and final Checkpoint, Checkpoint “I.” This checkpoint will have the water also, so take what you will need to make it the last 8 miles to the finish line. Before too long you dead end back onto a different part of the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At that “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the MDH wooden posts again all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path. Congratulations, you did it!
race logistics
terrain
The Maah Daah Hey trail offers as many descents as it does climbs, and they are never not far apart. The earth is a unique blend of dirt, clay, sandstone, scoria, and whatever else the good Lord mixed into this epic ultra runners’ playground. On the tops of the badlands buttes you will find flat prairie grasslands. There are also some sparsely wooded sections scattered on the trail but overall there is minimal cover from the elements. Hence the name BADLANDS.
lodging
If you are running in the 100 mile race, we suggest staying in Watford City to stay closer to your starting line. Check out our official sponsor, the Roosevelt Inn & Suites in Watford City, ND (BOOK HERE) which is about 20-30 minutes from the 100 mile starting line at CCC Campground. If you’re racing ANY other distance (5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon, 50 miles), you’ll be closer to your starting line if you stay in Medora.
Book your Medora lodging accommodations through our official race partner, the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation. Accommodations can be booked here.
*the Half Marathon starts at the Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch, camping and motel reservations are available by calling 701.623.4200
While in Medora, also might want to try the Pitchfork Steak Fondue and the Medora Musical and use the code RaceSeries15 for an added discount!
aid stations
Approximately every 25 miles there will be an oasis with peppy volunteers ready to help you with liquids and anything else you might need. Shaded tents, chairs, porta potties and ice cold water are just some of the things you will see.
OPEN - CLOSING TIMES
AS 1 | 10:00 am - 2:40 pm
AS 2 | 2:30 pm - 11:45 pm
AS 3 | 10:00 am - 9:50 am (Sunday)
river crossing
100 mile runners will cross the Little “Muddy” Missouri River about a mile before Aid Station #2. The river bottom is mostly rocky and solid but the water level varies greatly, in August it is usually ankle to knee deep, which is why we do the race when we do. The color of the water in the river resembles the color of chocolate milk. It is cool to the touch and refreshing on the feet and legs, but don’t drink it! Some racers take their shoes off to cross and others put on a new pair of shoes and socks at Aid 2.
checkpoints
There are about 9 checkpoints where the Maah Daah Hey Trail intersects the “major” back roads of the Western North Dakota Oil Patch. These are really your only “bailout” options on the whole trail, volunteers will be standing by at some of these points to assist you. There are fewer of these Checkpoints on the first, northern, half of the course. The Checkpoints can be found more frequently on the bottom half of the course, which is a big reason why we race the trail from north to south. Porta potties will be at each checkpoint along with water!
OPEN - CLOSING TIMES
CP A | 7:30 - 9:30 am
CP B | 12:15 - 7:30 pm
CP C | 1:30 - 9:35 pm
CP D | 7:00 am - 2:15 am (Sunday)
CP E | 8:15 am - 5:30 am (Sunday)
CP F | 8:45 am - 7:00 am (Sunday)
CP G | 9:15 am - 8:35 am (Sunday)
CP H | 7:15 am - 2:05 pm (Sunday)
CP J | 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (Sunday)
support and gear vehicles
SAG drivers can visit our page with more information about driving the course and for directions by clicking here. This page will have directions, details about the road, and other information specifically for drivers.
Speaking from years of hosting this race and knowing this trail extremely well, we highly recommend you have a SAG driver. We have never had a runner finish the 106 mile course without support and gear. What typically ends up happening is the other SAG crews feel obligated to assist which can sometimes and most often lead to hard feelings.
It is the racer’s responsibility to get themselves on and off the course. It is an extremely remote and unpopulated race course with limited volunteers and staff to shuttle or help pick up racers.
shuttles
Racers for 5k, 10k, half and full marathon will be shuttled to their starting line from the finish line (Family Fun Center) and off of the course if they are unable to finish. For the 50, 75, and 100 mile courses, EVERY participant must have their own transportation to the starting line of the race. 50, 75, and 100 mile participants must have someone available to get them off the race course if they are unable to make it to the finish. Participants must have a way to communicate with their personal transportation. This is for the safety of our participants, thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
finish line
Congratulations, you did it! At the finish line in Medora there will be plenty of snacks, drinks, and stories to share. There will be an award ceremony for each distance. Regardless of podium status or not, you now hold the status of completing a race on the Maah Daah Hey trail, which few people hold. The cutoff schedule is set up according to our 36 hour limit for the 100 mile ultra runners… as long as you cross the finish line in under a day and a half, you’re good! You have officially earned the title of North Dakota Legendary!
schedule
All times are listed in MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME! Most of the course is in the MDT zone, however, we are right on the edge of the Central Daylight Time Zone. Your phones & GPS units may jump back and forth. Please plan accordingly. We recommend setting your devices on permanent MDT zone to avoid any confusion. ALL RACE TIMES ARE LISTED IN MDT!!!
Friday
Packet Pickup
All racers must check in at Packet Pickup the night before the race. If you need to arrange an emergency race morning Packet Pickup please contact us 48 hours in advance at grazi@experienceLAND.org
10:30am -11:30am Packet Pickup for 107 mile runners at CCC Campground Pavilion
11:30pm Pre Race Meeting for 107 mile runners at CCC Campground Trailhead
12:00pm Race START for 107 mile runners
5pm - 7pm Packet Pickup at BIG WHITE TENT 3389 Pool Drive, Medora, ND 58645 – 5k, 10k, 13.1, 26.2 and 54 mile (suggested runners)
***YOU CAN PICK UP YOUR PACKET AT EITHER LOCATION***
Saturday
All shuttles will load and depart from the Finish Line Headquarters - BIG WHITE TENT AREA
(3389 Pool Drive, Medora, ND 58645) (46.918126, -103.534573)
Bring a chair and join us for LIVE music throughout the day with TED & KARI!
6:00 am 54 mile ultra race START and Full Marathon START
5:00 am - 6:30am Emergency Packet Pick Up at Family Fun Center
4:30 am Shuttle to marathon start departs from Family Fun Center
6:00 am Shuttle to half marathon start departs from Family Fun Center
6:00 am Shuttle to 10k start departs from Family Fun Center
6:30am Shuttle to 5k start departs from Family Fun Center
7:00 am Half Marathon, 10k and 5k RACES START
8:00 am 5k awards ceremony at finish line
9:00 am Post Race Massages Opens - Amy Haase (until noon)
9:20 am Checkpoint A close
8:30 am 10k awards ceremony at finish line & Drink Tent opens
10:00 am Half Marathon awards ceremony at finish line
2:40 pm Aid Station 1 closes
1:00 pm Marathon awards ceremony at finish line
7:30 pm Checkpoint B closes
9:35 pm Checkpoint C closes
11:45 pm Aid Station 2 closes
Sunday
2:15am Checkpoint D closes
5:30am Checkpoint E closes
7:00am Checkpoint F closes
8:35am Checkpoint G closes
9:50am Aid Station 3 closes
2:05pm Checkpoint H closes
4:30pm Checkpoint I closes
5:00pm Awards for ultra finishers at finish line
6:00pm Finish Line closes
Awards
All participants will receive a custom finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line and the Ultra Race finishers ( 50 and 100) will receive a custom belt buckle. Top 3 men’s and women’s finishers will be awarded in each category as well as age groups in each category!
CATEGORIES
- 7 and under boys and girls
- 8 to 12 year old boys and girls
- 13 to 19 male and female
- Men’s and Women’s 20 to 29
- Men’s and Women’s 30 to 39
- Men’s and Women’s 40 to 49
- Men’s and Women’s 50 to 59
- Men’s and Women’s 60 to 69
- Men’s and Women’s 70 and Over
PACERS
What is a pacer? The definition of a pacer is someone who runs any amount of the MDH ULTRAS (50, 75,100) with a registered runner. A pacer can be very crucial to the success of an ultra runner, making for a very positive experience. A pacer is a motivator, a mentor, a companion, and a savior. A pacer must be in great physical condition, tough, self-reliant, level-headed, positive, and must know the runner as they know themselves. The pacer’s job is to take care of the runner, not the other way around.
Who can have a pacer? Runners attempting to the run the Maah Daah Hey 100 OR 50 Mile race are allowed to have a pacer, on foot only (no bikes), from Aid Station #2 (mile 50.4) and onward for the 100 or from Aid Station #3 for the 50 mile runners. Racers who are 60 years of age or older can have a pacer for the entire 100 mile distance.
Making Your Pacer Official
– Pacer must be 18 years of age or older
– Pacer must sign a race waiver and register as a pacer
– Pacer must wear official Pacer Bib (found in race packet)
Pacer Do’s and Do (Legal)
– One pacer at a time (can have as many in your crew as you wish).
– Pacers have to join and/or leave their runner at a designated checkpoints.
– Pacers must have all their own gear: trail shoes, hydration pack, headlamp, nutrition, water, etc.
Don’t Don’t (Illegal)
– No “muling”! Registered runners must carry their own food and water.
– No leap frogging! You must enter AND leave each checkpoint with your runner.
– You must stay with your runner at all times. If your runner drops, you cannot continue the MDH 100 on your own.