8-Hours of Berm

The 8-Hours of Berm will take place in Dunnellon, Florida on August 15th, 2026. This endurance event is set to challenge runners with its unique terrain and self-crew format at the Ross Prairie Trailhead located along State Road 200.
Runners can expect a course that winds through longleaf pine forests and oak hammocks of Ross Prairie Conservation Area. The trail features challenging sections like the infamous Berm Loop, known for sandy stretches and varied conditions due to fire lines cut through scrubland and flatwoods. On race morning, temperatures will average around 28.6 degrees Celsius with a high humidity level at 77.6%, providing both heat and moisture challenges throughout the day.
The event has been part of endurance running traditions in Dunnellon for several years, offering runners an opportunity to test their limits on conservation land acquired through Preservation 2000 Act funds. Participants will not be assigned pacers or crews but are encouraged to bring everything they need for self-sufficiency over the eight-hour period.
The course itself is a loop that covers six and a half miles with an elevation gain of one hundred thirty-five feet, incorporating both natural trails and fire line berms. The terrain includes sandy stretches and exposed forest roads without much tree cover. Aid stations are available on-site at Ross Prairie Trailhead where runners can set up tents to self-crew during the event.
Weather conditions in August typically feature a temperature range from 24.2 degrees Celsius to 33.0 degrees Celsius, with an average wind speed of nine point five miles per hour and a UV index rating of eight point four (Very High). There is also a moderate risk of rainfall at five point two millimeters during the day.

Runners can choose between the standard 8-Hour race or the more challenging 8-Hour Ruck, both with an entry fee of seventy-five dollars. Participants must register online through https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=135545 before the deadline and pick up their bib at the trailhead starting from six in the morning on event day.
Bib pickup will take place at Ross Prairie Trailhead, where runners can collect necessary race materials. No specific items are required for registration or pickup beyond a valid form of identification that matches what was provided during online sign-up.
Starting lines and finish lines coincide within Dunnellon’s Ross Prairie Conservation Area along State Road 200 SW, accessible to participants from around the region looking to challenge themselves in this scenic setting. The event is open to runners over eighteen years old who are prepared for self-sufficiency throughout their eight-hour journey through challenging terrain.
The 8-Hours of Berm returns once again on August 15th, Dunnellon, Florida providing a unique test of endurance and grit within the historic Ross Prairie Conservation Area.