Forest City, IL
The Beautiful Rolling hills of Sand Ridge State Forest

You will be tested. Physically, mentally, maybe even spiritually. Are you strong enough to endure?

The race will find your weaknesses and exploit them. At the height of your suffering the race directors will offer you choices…temptations…do you take an official finish on the shorter distance (50K, 100K, 150K) and their beautiful awards? Or can you give just a few more loops to earn the very exclusive 200KM buckle? It is tempting….do you end your journey for the reward now, or continue to endure the challenge to earn the most coveted award of the race?

Racing Distances

All runners start as 200K participants, toeing the line together. They all have the chance to continue or drop at any time. Some may only set out to take on 50K, while others yearn for more. But if you set out for 50K and find yourself thinking…”maybe I could do a little more and get that buckle”, the race directors will let you and play the role of devil on your shoulder, whispering in your ear “it’s only 2 more loops….and that really just 1 loop and a victory loop…how hard can it be?” If you set out for the full 200K but find yourself feeling weak and worn down, thinking that a 100k buckle is “good enough”…so too will the race directors tempt you.

All runners can choose to run any distance on race day. Are you tough enough to make your goal? or maybe you’re tougher than you give yourself credit for?

Awards and Results

Participants who complete 50K (2 loops of the course) and decline to go further will receive a high end custom medallion. A token to remind them of the distance they achieved and what more can still lie ahead. Their time will be recorded as an official 50K finish.

Participants who push a mere 2 loops beyond that will receive the first buckle of the race. A beautiful antique brass finished buckle emblazoned with the distance they overcame – 100Km – it’s a stunning buckle and it may be tempting to stop here…you’ve already accomplished so much..and you’ll be given full credit for a 100K finish…..

But can you give just two laps more? Do you really hurt that bad? 150km rewards the runner with a glorious buckle in a breath-taking nickle finish. It proudly displays your distance of 150Km. You’ll get full credit for a 150k finish…Can this motivate you this far? So close ….but only 2 more laps and you’d have the 200….. 2 is a small number! why quit now?

For those who dig the deepest come the ultimate rewards of the race. The beautiful high relief two tone 200km buckle. A work of art. The apex of accomplishment for the weekend. Exclusively for the runners who overcame the temptations of the lower distances or who did more than they ever believed to be possible.

But be warned:  those who forgo a finish at a certain distance in an attempt to reach beyond and fail (passing 50K for example and failing to reach 100K) will be counted as a DNF.   To loosely quote TS Elliot: Only those who risk going too far, can find out how far they can truly go.  There is no reward without risk.

The male and female who win overall at 200Km will receive an additional award for their efforts….there will also be an award for the last place runner who survived cutoffs and exhaustion to finish in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. These are guaranteed to be high end pieces that you will display proudly in your home. To the victors go the spoils.

How tough are you? Dig deep….

Upcoming Races

Sep 1 2024
50 KM
Multiple Loop Course
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
3 Surface Rating
Some rocks, root, and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
100 KM
Multiple Loop Course
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
3 Surface Rating
Some rocks, root, and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
150 KM
Multiple Loop Course
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
3 Surface Rating
Some rocks, root, and/or ruts
Aug 31 2024
200 KM
Multiple Loop Course
3 Elevation Rating
Hilly, ~2500-7500 feet in 50 miles
3 Surface Rating
Some rocks, root, and/or ruts

Results

Date Finishers Top Result (M) Top Result (F)
09/02/23 2 35:39:20
09/10/22 1 34:18:06
09/11/21 No Ultra Finishers
09/05/20 4 32:38:45 33:42:43
09/07/19 5 33:01:20
Date Finishers Top Result (M) Top Result (F)
09/02/23 8 14:54:27 13:57:10
09/10/22 10 12:43:41 18:14:40
09/11/21 Race Cancelled
09/05/20 25 11:37:38 14:34:28
09/07/19 27 12:00:44 16:45:04
Date Finishers Top Result (M) Top Result (F)
09/02/23 4 28:42:31 25:04:38
09/10/22 1 19:04:34
09/11/21 Race Cancelled
09/05/20 11 20:49:28 26:41:14
09/07/19 11 19:31:47 33:43:25
Date Finishers Top Result (M) Top Result (F)
09/02/23 17 5:09:05 7:00:10
09/10/22 19 4:32:04 7:05:36
09/12/21 15 4:51:41 8:25:19
09/05/20 23 5:51:39 6:24:16
09/07/19 20 5:43:27 6:24:17