55 MILE

    Headquarters / finish of the race is at the Sunset Overlook Bar & Bistro located in Columbia, Illinois.  It's twenty minutes from downtown St. Louis, Missouri, 11604 Bluff Rd, Columbia, IL 62236.

    Start of the 55 mile race is at the Kaskaskia River Project Campground and finishes at Sunset Overlook in Columbia.  Packet pickup is at Sunset Overlook on Friday (grass field on the south end of the property).  Race day packet pickup is at Kaskaskia on Saturday morning.  For runners who do not plan on driving to the start line, there will be a shuttle bus at headquarters on Saturday morning.  

• 3-20-26, Friday 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.  Packet pick-up and leave your drop bags at Sunset Overlook for both the 110 and 55 mile runners. 

• 3-20-26, Friday 5:00 p.m.  Free spaghetti dinner starts, option of no meat.  There will be pool, ping pong, and games available.  Runners' family are welcome.  The dinner will be at the Zoar Church Banquet Hall 9103 D Rd, Columbia, IL 62236, located five miles away from Sunset Overlook.

• 3-21-26, Saturday 5:00 a.m. Runners who do not have a ride to Kaskaskia will begin boarding the shuttle bus at Sunset Overlook for the Kaskaskia start line.

• 3-21-26, Saturday 5:15 a.m.  shuttle bus leaves Sunset Overlook for the Kaskaskia start line. 

• 3-21-26, Saturday 6:00 a.m.  Check in starts at Kaskaskia (every runner must check in the morning of the race)

• 3-21-26, Saturday 6:00 a.m. - 6:50 a.m.  Packet pick-up at Kaskaskia and leave your drop bags

• 3-21-26, Saturday 6:50 a.m.  Final safety brief

• 3-21-26, Saturday 7:00 a.m.  Start

• 3-21-26, Saturday 10:00 p.m.  Finish 

• This is a point-to-point course, the race will start at the Kaskaskia River Project Campground and finish at Sunset Overlook located in Columbia, Illinois.

• The course is a mix of levees and back roads.  Most of the course will have little traffic, but please keep your head on a swivel. 

• 51% pavement / 49% gravel

• The gravel sections are a mix of easily runnable, to slightly more challenging.  Most of the gravel is concentrated in the southern part of the course.   

• 712 ft. of elevation gain 

• The course will be marked with pink flag pins and reflective tape to light up the course at night

• Flags on your left as you head north

• Turns and intersections will be double marked 

• Ste. Genevieve mile  7.1

• Prairie du Rocher mile  14.2   - crew access - restrooms

• Fort de Chartres mile  18.5   - drop bag - crew access - restrooms

• Ivy Rd mile  25.4

• Outlet Rd mile  30.3   - drop bag - crew access - restrooms

• Fountain mile  37.5

• Garleb Rd mile  42.4   - drop bag - crew access - restrooms

• B Rd mile  49

Aid stations will have the typical ultra food:  quesadillas, soup, fruit, candy, ginger ale, etc.  The sports drink for the race will be HEED.

• 4:00 p.m. - Outlet Rd  (9 hrs in) mile 30.3  

• 10:00 p.m. - Finish in Columbia, Illinois  (15 hrs) mile 55

• cut-off times will be strictly enforced 

• Crew is allowed at Garleb Rd, Outlet Rd, Fort de Chartres,  and Prairie du Rocher, aid stations

• Crew must park on one side of the road only.  Follow the directions of the aid station captain as parking may change.

• Your crew is not allowed to give aid or meet you at any point once you leave the aid station

• You are responsible for the actions of your crew

*Links to crew accessible aid stations are underlined 

• Drop bags are allowed at Garleb Rd, Outlet Rd, and Fort de Chartres aid stations

• You can also have a drop bag at Kaskaskia as a start line bag

•  Write your name, bib number, aid station name, and the distance you're running on the bag 

• Must be a reasonable size and weight, use your best judgment

• No hard sided containers 

• Your drop bags will be left out in the elements; it's recommended that they're waterproof

• Drop bags will be returned to the start line no later than 10:30 p.m. 

• You're welcome to pick up your drop bags from the aid stations if you need them before 10:30 p.m.

• Drop bags that are not picked up after the race will be held onto for a reasonable amount of time.  Contact us so we can make arrangements to get them back to you.    

• The weather in late March can vary wildly.  The course is wide open, so you could be exposed to the sun, rain, lightning, and strong wind for the entirety of the race.  The day could be hot, and the night will be cold, dress accordingly and drink plenty of water. 

• The race will take place close to the vernal equinox, so around 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night

• Sunrise starts at 7 a.m. / sunset at 7 p.m.

• Average highs and lows are 56°F / 36°F

• Watch out for vehicles!  It is required that you wear a Hi-Vis running-style reflective vest during the nighttime portions of the race.  Failure to do so will result in disqualification.  If you do not bring a reflective vest / sash, one will be loaned out, but please bring your own.  It's strongly recommended that you also wear Hi-Vis or bright clothing during the day.  Stick to the left side of the road as much as possible, except for blind hills and blind corners, where you would use the right side of the road.  Use your best judgment.

• Headphones are not permitted during the race; external speakers are ok.  It's paramount that you're aware of your surroundings. 

• No foot care or medicine will be given at aid stations   

• If you have to quit the race, do it at an aid station.  Notify a volunteer and we will try to get you back to the finish line as soon as possible.  You have to tell someone that you are dropping!

• Cell coverage can be spotty on the southern part of the course, depending on your provider          

• Sub-15-hour finishers will receive a custom USA made medal

• First place finisher will receive a custom USA made plaque 

• T-shirt & drink koozie with registration

• Register by 3-2-26 to guarantee a T-shirt 

• A swag opt-out is available during registration

• A refund will be issued if you cancel no later than two months out from race day.  The refund will not include the processing fees associated with UltraSignup.com

• A refund will also be issued, at any time, to woman who become pregnant.  Contact americanbottoms100@gmail.com for a refund.    

• No roll overs

• Of course, there's always extenuating circumstances.  Feel free to contact us, we may be able to work something out depending on the situation.

• Drop downs are welcome, however you will not receive a refund for the difference in price from the 110 mile race to the 55 mile race, if dropping down less than two months out from race day. 

• If you would like to switch from the 55 to the 110, you will owe the difference in price. 

• Race day drop downs are welcome.  If you signed up for the 110 mile race and you have run at least 55 miles, (within 15 hours) before dropping out, then you will receive a finisher medal.  You'll be counted as an official 55 mile finisher.      

• 15% Veteran & First Responder Discount, contact americanbottoms100@gmail.com for coupon code

• Aid station captain reserves the right to pull you from the race if they feel it's unsafe to let you continue.  Please be respectful to the aid station volunteers if you get pulled from the race.  Reach out to the race director if you have any issues.

• Check in at aid stations, no need to check out.  If you don't plan on stopping at the aid station, yell out your bib number as you run past, just make sure your number is echoed back.       

• Aid station food & water is for runners and pacers only

• No pacers for the 55 mile race

• Make your race bib visible somewhere on your body, it doesn't matter if it's on the front or back. 

• Please make room for any farmers that may be getting their fields ready

• No littering, it's a privilege to use the levees, leave it how you found it.

• No vehicles allowed on the levees

• Must be 18 years or older

• Reading everything on this website serves as your participant packet.  It's your responsibility to do your due diligence.