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Hard Times Trail Run

Name: Hard Times Trail Run
Start: 2026-03-07
End: 2026-03-07
Location: Willard, Missouri

location_on

Willard, Missouri, United States

calendar_today 07 Mar, 2026

directions_run Running

language Official Website

sell $65.00 – $105.00

About the Event

Test your grit on a classic, no-frills Ozark course at the aptly named Hard Times Trail Run on March 7, 2026. This event proudly bills itself as the "Toughest Footrace in Greene County," featuring an 8-mile lollipop loop in Missouri's Little Sac Woods with nearly 1,000 feet of climbing per lap and notably absent switchbacks. Runners can choose an 8-mile, 25K, or 50K challenge, with the ultra distances run "washing machine style" by alternating lap directions, adding a unique mental and physical twist to the relentless hills, creek crossings, and briars. With a strict limit of 50 participants, the race fosters an intimate, grassroots atmosphere where every finisher earns genuine bragging rights for conquering the rugged terrain.

More than just a personal test, the Hard Times Trail Run is a meaningful fundraiser, with all proceeds supporting Headington Hill Classical Academy in Springfield, helping students with books, uniforms, and tuition. The event is meticulously organized despite its tough demeanor, offering two aid stations, porta-potties, and a strict parking/shuttle system to preserve the remote feel of the conservation area. This is the perfect race for runners who seek an authentic, challenging trail experience that benefits a great cause, where the shared struggle on the hills creates a strong bond among participants. Lace up for a day of hard-earned satisfaction on a course that lives up to its name.

Races Offered

50 km

Mar 07, 2026

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Distance — 50K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

07:00

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$105.00

25 km

Mar 07, 2026

straighten

Distance — 25K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

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$85.00

8 Miler

Mar 07, 2026

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Distance — 12.9K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

09:00

sell

$65.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for March in Willard.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 5.1° / 16.6°

wb_sunny 0.5° / 12.8°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 15.6 /

water_drop 63.9%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 5.1° / 16.6°

wb_sunny 0.5° / 12.8°

air 15.6 km/h

water_drop 63.9%

About Willard

Willard is a city in Greene County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 6,344. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.