The Big Deal at Great Seal

About the Event

The Big Deal at Great Seal is a premiere ultra-endurance event scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Great Seal State Park in Chillicothe, Ohio. Organized by RunFluent, the race features a signature 100-mile distance alongside 100k, 20-mile, and 5k options. The park holds deep personal significance for Race Director Chris Stangle, as it was the site of his first ultra-marathon and his first date with his now-wife, Ivi Stangle.

Race Distance	Start Time	Course Structure	Elevation Gain
100 Mile	6:00 AM	5 laps of a 20-mile loop	~16,000 ft total
100k	6:00 AM	3 laps + 2-mile finish loop	~9,600 ft total
20 Miler	8:00 AM	Single 20-mile loop	~3,200 ft total

The geography of Great Seal State Park is notoriously hilly, with the course consisting of 95% single-track trails. Runners navigate a 20-mile loop that includes technical landmarks such as the Sugarloaf Mountain climb, Rocky Road, Sand Hill, and Shawnee Ridge. In early May, Chillicothe typically experiences mild spring weather with average daytime highs of 22°C (72°F). The course has been specifically modified to bypass Shrake Road for safety reasons, though it still presents a grueling 3,100 to 3,200 feet of ascent per loop. A special "Golden Goat" award is reserved for any 100-mile finisher who completes the course in under 26 hours.

Logistically, mandatory packet pickup and a race briefing are required on Friday evening, May 1, at 50 West Brewing in Chillicothe for all 100-mile and 100k participants. These athletes must also carry mandatory safety gear, including two headlamps, an emergency foil blanket, and a whistle. The 20-mile loop features five aid station stops, with crew access restricted to the Ireland Shelter (Start/Finish) and Lick Run stations. Drop bags are permitted at three locations: Ireland, Rocky Road, and Lick Run. While parking is available along the park roads, on-site camping is limited to the park's primitive campground, and car camping is strictly prohibited by park regulations.

Races Offered

100 mile

May 02, 2026

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Distance — 160.9K

terrain

Type — Running

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06:00

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$150.00

100k

May 02, 2026

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Distance — 100K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

06:00

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$110.00

20 Miler

May 02, 2026

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Distance — 32.2K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

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$69.00

5k

May 02, 2026

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Distance — 5K

terrain

Type — Running

timer

08:00

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$45.00

Weather Overview

These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for May in Chillicothe.

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

thermostat 12.4° / 23.0°

wb_sunny 10.8° / 21.8°

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

air 10.1 /

water_drop 72.9%

Temp (°C)

Feels Like (°C)

Wind (km/h)

Humidity (%)

thermostat 12.4° / 23.0°

wb_sunny 10.8° / 21.8°

air 10.1 km/h

water_drop 72.9%

About Chillicothe

Learn more about the host city, Chillicothe.

Chillicothe is a city in Ross County in South Central Ohio and is the county seat of Ross County. In the 1800s, it was designated as the capital of the "eastern section" of the Northwest Territory. Later the State Constitutional Convention was held in Chillicothe, and in 1803, Ohio entered the Union, Chillicothe became the first state capital of Ohio. The name of the city was derived from a Shawnee word meaning "principal town". It is located along the Scioto River and Paint Creek.