location_city Columbia
location_on Illinois
flag United States
calendar_today 21 Mar, 2026
directions_run Running
language Official Website
RegisterWELCOME TO THE AMERICAN BOTTOM
This is a unique road ultra on a beautiful course, following the Mississippi River, as you run through the historic American Bottom. Race headquarters is in Columbia, Illinois just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The race offers a 110 mile and a 55 mile option.
The course will loosely follow the American Discovery Trail and the Kaskaskia - Cahokia Trail (Illinois' first road). You’ll watch the sun rise over the Illinois bluffs while running on levees and deserted backroads, from Columbia to the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. You’ll make your way through many historic sites, including Piggott's Fort, Fort de Chartres, and the town of Prairie du Rocher.
This is a flat and fast course with generous cut off times, plenty of aid stations, and a friendly atmosphere. It will make a great first hundred miler, or a chance for you to set a new personal record at this distance. So, if you're interested in a no frills ultra with a low entry fee, then come test yourself this spring on the American Bottom.
110 MILE
6:00 a.m. Start. Saturday March 21st, 2026
4:00 p.m. Finish. Sunday March 22nd, 2026
34 hour cut-off
18:32 minute / mile pace
1,400 ft. of elevation gain total
Out & back course
76% levees / 24% hardball road
17 Aid Stations
55 MILE
Saturday March 21st, 2026
7:00 a.m. Start
10:00 p.m. Finish
15 hour cut-off
16:21 minute / mile pace
700 ft. of elevation gain total
Point to point course
76% levees / 24% hardball road
8 Aid Stations
Mar 21, 2026
Distance — 110 Miles
Type — Road running
06:00
Mar 21, 2026
Distance — 55 Miles
Type — Road running
07:00
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for March in Columbia.
Columbia is a city mainly in Monroe County with a small portion in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 12 miles (19 km) south of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 10,999 at the 2020 census.
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location_on Belleville, Illinois, US
calendar_today Apr 18, 2026
location_on St Louis, Missouri, US
calendar_today Mar 22, 2026
location_on St. Louis, Missouri, US
calendar_today Apr 04, 2026
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