The Big Deal at Great Seal

What's the Big Deal!?

This park has a special place in RD Chris Stangle's heart. This was the location of the first Ultra he ever ran, and coincidently, the first park he hosted an ultra in several years later. Ironically, there were no ultras hosted in the park between those 2 events! Chris trained in this park daily before moving to Florida, and even had his first date with his now wife Ivi Stangle. From the moment He considered hosting this event, the 100 mile option was always in the back of his mind, and now it is HERE!

Course Description

If you like single track and some hills, this is your race. The course is a 20 mile "loop" with roughly 3200 feet of elevation gain per loop. The first loop of the 20 mile course will include the Sugarloaf Mt climb, subsequent loops will bypass (you'll understand why). this course is 95% single track and 5% dual track. You will learn many landmarks while exploring this course, some notables are: Ireland Shelter, Sugarloaf, Bald Hill, Sand Hill, Rocky Road, Rock Garden, Annie's Trail, The Cellar, Lick Run, Spandex, Bunker Hill, Shawnee Ridge, Grouse Rock, and so many more. I can't wait for each of these to become common language of trail runners from across the country. There are sections mid loop across Shawnee Ridge that will have 2 way traffic. Course will be marked to clearly differentiate.

Cutoffs

We have decided to make the cutoff for the 100 mile 36 hours in total (21:36/ mile) Additionally, you must begin your final lap within 28 hours (21 minutes/ mile) No additional cutoff for shorter distances. ******all decisions to allow runner to continue on course are subject to change at RD’s discretion.

GPX

After running the course today we have decided to make one final change. For runners safety, we are eliminating the Shrake Road section of the course. These are the worst condition trails, and really sketchy downhills. I just don’t feel safe putting people down there. This will create about 1 mile more of 2 way traffic, but much more enjoyable. Total elevation gain per loop will be 3100-3200 feet per loop. Can’t wait until May! https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/439224124

Aid Stations and Crew Access/ Pacers

There will be 5 total stops in the 20 mile loop: Start/Finish mile 0/20 Rocky Road at mile 3.6 Lick Run at mile 8.5 Lick Run at mile 14.3 Rocky Road at mile 17.3 Aid stations will be well stocked with water, soda electrolytes hot food, traditional snack and more. Runners are welcome to set up a tent/ table near the start/ finish (10x10 canopy max) Crew Access is allowed at The Start/Finish (Ireland Shelter), and Lick Run Aid Stations. Please DO NOT access your runner at Rocky Road or anywhere else on course (unless and emergency). These rules are for safety and law abiding. PACERS: 100k and 100 mile runners are welcome to have pacers anytime after the first lap. One pacer at a time. Each pacer must be registered as a pacer on UltraSignup (under volunteers). Pacers must wear pacer bib (one Pacer bib per runner, can be shared from pacer to pacer). Pacers must access runner from either the Ireland shelter or Lick Run. Do not start/ stop pacing anywhere else on course.

Awards

100 mile finishers will receive The Big Deal 100 mile Metal Buckle 100k finishers will receive a Wooden 100k Belt Buckle 20 mile and 5k finishers will receive our traditional finisher's "woodal" Podium Awards to the top 3 male and female of each distance. GOLDEN GOAT this is a special award for the few that simply completing the 100 mile course isn't enough. Anyone breaking the 26 hour mark will receive the Golden Goat. If one person does it, or 20, each will get a Golden Goat. I NOONE finishes under 26 hours. The top 10 percent of finishers will receive the Golden Goat.

Packet Pickup

FRIDAY NIGHT PACKET PICKUP IS MANDATORY FOR 100 MILER AND 100K Race Briefing at 6pm Friday night 20 milers and 5k runners can pickup either Friday night or race morning after 6:30am Packet Pickup Location: 50 West Brewing 1 N Paint Street Chillicothe OH, 45601 When: Friday April 30, 2026 4pm-7pm

Mandatory Gear (100 mile and 100k)

ALL ITEMS MUST BE ON YOUR PERSON AT ALL TIMES: GPX file on your watch or smartphone 2 headlamps (or one headlamp with extra batteries) Whistle Emergency Foil Blanket Carrying capacity minimum 1L of water collapsible cup (provided at packet pickup)

Drop Bags

Runners are permitted to have one drop bag per Aid station for a total of 3 drop bags (2 of which you can access twice per loop). Drop bags permitted: Up to a 15L dry bag. Gallon Ziplocks are great No coolers PLEASE LABEL DROP BAGS WITH: NAME, BIB#, AID STATION The aid station names: Ireland (start / finish) mile 0/20 Rocky Road: mile 3.8/17.5 Lick Run: mile 8.7/14.3 On race morning there will be 3 piles for drop bags, please pay attention that you put your bags in the appropriate area. Drop bag return**** Each aid station will have a return pile, when you are FINISHED with your drop bag (the last time through each aid station) hand your bag to a volunteer and say return. Otherwise, it will not be returned until the end of the event.

History of Great Seal State Park

https://www.greatsealstatepark.com/

Parking/ Camping

Parking: PER THE REQUEST OF PARK MANAGEMENT, ALL parking will be along the campground road for the 2027 event. Please follow instructions of volunteers. You will be parking along the course (first .75 miles is on the road). This makes it extremely convenient to access your car each loop if you choose to do so. CAMPING: There is a small primitive campground in the park, I’m not creation if there’s spots left, but that campground is the only place in the park you can camp Friday night / race weekend. NO CAR CAMPING FRIDAY NIGHT I wish we could allow this, but it is just not permitted by the park.

Refund Policy

*****Refund policy: RunFluent LLC does not issue refunds on race registrations due to the fact that funds are utilized as they are received to prepare for our upcoming events. In the unfortunate event that you are unable to attend, we will offer deferrals to any future RunFluent LLC event for the amount equal to your registration fee. Note* Deferrals must be made 4 weeks from the event date. No changes to registrations will be accepted after April 2 2026.