Tunnel Hill 100

The Tunnel Hill 100 takes place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, starting at 7:00 AM CT from 298 East Vine Street in Vienna, IL. This world-famous event features 100 Mile, 100 km, USATF 50 Mile National Championship, 50 Mile, and Marathon distances on the smooth, crushed limestone Tunnel Hill State Trail with a gentle 2% grade (elevation 340–680 feet). 100 milers have a 30-hour time limit; 100 km and 50 milers also have 30 hours. Five world records have been set at Tunnel Hill, and the 2026 race hosts the USATF 50 Mile Road Championships.

World Records & Prize Money:

• 100 Mile World Record (M 10:51:39 / F 12:19:34 pending) — $7,500
• 100 Mile Course Record (M 11:26:11 / F 12:37:04) — $6,000
• 50 Mile World Record (M 4:48:21 / F 5:18:57) — $5,000
• 50 Mile Course Record (same as world records) — $4,000
• 100 km American Record (M 6:07:10 / F 6:59:55) — $4,000
• Marathon Course Record (M 2:29:25 / F 2:50:05) — $1,000
• 100 Mile: SUB 13hrs (M) bonus $1,000 / SUB 14:45 (F) bonus $1,000
• Prize money requires W9 form if $2,000 or more (USATF/IRS requirement).

USATF 50 Mile Championship (2026):

• Open to US citizens with USATF membership in good standing.
• Top 10 men and top 10 women receive championship medals.
• Top 3 masters in 5-year age groups (40–44, 45–49, etc.) receive medals.
• Prize money: 1st $1,500 / 2nd $750 / 3rd $500
• USATF drug testing applies — athletes subject to USADA testing.
• Special bib on back required; shoes must comply with IAU standards (≤40mm sole, ≤1 carbon plate).
• No pacing outside of registered runners in same race.
• No caching or aid outside designated aid stations.

Course Details:

• Starts at Vienna City Park, heads south to Wetlands Center (13.1094 miles — exact half marathon), turns north for 25 miles to northern turnaround, then back 11.8906 miles to start/finish for 50 miles.
• 100 milers repeat the 50-mile course.
• Marathon: course goes to Wetlands Center turnaround and back to Vienna City Park (does not include tunnel).
• 100 km: same course as others, plus continue south 6.06855 miles to certified turnaround and back.
• Tunnel: 100 km and 50 milers run through famous tunnel twice; 100 milers run through four times.
• Surface: smooth crushed limestone over dirt bed — gaiters recommended for small rocks.

Aid Stations & Drop Bags:

• Water, Tailwind, bananas, oranges, chips, candy, energy snacks.
• Early: egg sandwiches. Later: turkey wraps, bean wraps, spinach wraps, boiled potatoes, soup, coffee.
• Vienna Park station: hamburgers and hot dogs.
• Breeden Trestle (miles 31.5, 45.1, 80.9, 95.1) — unmanned, water jugs only (no cups).
• Porta Johns at every aid station; toilets and running water at 10.9, 16, 26.6, 36.3, 40.3, and 50 miles.
• Drop bags at Karnak, Vienna, and Tunnel Hill locations (10" x 10" x 18" or smaller recommended).
• Bring your own water/fluid containers — very limited cups available.
• Registered pacers may eat/drink at aid stations; crew members should NOT eat aid station food.

Cutoffs & Drop Downs:

• 100 milers must begin second 50 miles in less than 15 hours.
• Cutoff times at each aid station in Racer's Booklet.
• If you fail to reach an aid station within 30-hour pace during daylight, you may continue but will not be considered a 100-mile finisher — you will receive 50-mile finisher buckle and split time.
• If you stop at marathon distance at Vienna (coming back from south), you receive official marathon finish and medal.
• If you stop before 100 miles, you can use 100 km turnaround (~1 mile past first southern aid station) and receive official 100 km finish and buckle.

Pacers:

• 100 milers: pacer allowed from final 24 miles (Vienna Park at start of second trip to tunnel) OR when it gets dark (whichever comes first).
• 100 km & 50 milers: pacer allowed at nearest aid station when it gets dark.
• Trail is extremely easy to follow — most runners do not need pacers.
• USATF record attempts: no pacers allowed (but may run with others who started at regular time).
• Pacers sign waiver, get pacer bib ($15 cash fee to offset food/drink costs).
• Only one pacer at a time.

Schedule:

• FRIDAY, November 13 — Vienna HS (601 N. 1st Street, Vienna)
• 4:00–7:00 PM — Packet pickup
• 4:00–7:00 PM — Pasta dinner (additional guests: $10 adults, $5 ages 6–12, under 6 free)
• 6:00 PM — Special guest speaker: Zach Bitter
• SATURDAY, November 14 — Vienna City Park
• 5:00–6:30 AM — Parking (arrive early — may walk 0.5 mile if lots full)
• 5:00–6:45 AM — Race day packet pickup; drop bags in designated area
• 6:45 AM — Last minute words + National Anthem
• 7:00 AM — START (100M, 100km, 50M, Marathon)
• SUNDAY, November 15 — 1:00 PM FINISH (30-hour cutoff)

Swag & Finisher Awards:

• 100M/100km entrants: lightweight hoodie, 10L dry bag, drawstring bag, race belt, running cap
• 100M/100km finishers: custom belt buckle
• 50M entrants: lightweight hoodie, drawstring bag, running cap
• 50M finishers: belt buckle
• Marathon entrants: lightweight hoodie, drawstring bag, running cap
• Marathon finishers: custom medal
• 500-mile lifetime buckle (available at finish along with finisher buckle)
• NEW 1,000-mile buckle

Lodging & Camping:

• Paducah, KY (25 miles south) — Auburn Place, Holiday Inn, Quality Suites, Country Inn & Suites (ask for race rate). Contact Sabreen: (270) 201-4729 for group rate at Quality Suites/Country Inn & Suites (Exit 4, I-24).
• Marion, IL (30 miles north) and Metropolis, IL (20 miles south) also have hotels.
• Tent camping at Vienna Park (first come/first served, donation requested at Forman Depot). Water available, ~16 electric outlets. NO RV/trailer camping at Vienna Park.
• Shawnee Forest Campground (I-24 exit 16) — 60 full hookup sites, ~1 mile from start/finish. (618) 658-0619
• Main Brothers Campground, Karnak, IL (~10 miles from start) — hookups. (618) 634-9311

Volunteers:

• Volunteers receive long sleeve Tunnel Hill shirt and runner appreciation.
• Contact: Steve Durbin ([email protected]) or Jason Claunch ([email protected])

Airports:

• Lambert International (St. Louis, MO) — 150 miles
• Barkley Airport (Paducah, KY) — 35 miles
• Nashville International — 175 miles

USATF & WA Certifications:

• Marathon: IL25002MN / WA USA2025-304
• 50 Mile: IL25004MN / WA USA2025-305
• 100 km: IL25005MN / WA USA2025-306
• 100 Mile: IL25006MN / WA USA2025-307IAU
• IAU Golden Label: 100 Mile (20251065), 50 Mile (20251064)
• IAU Bronze Label: 100 km (20251066)

Live Tracking:

• Athlinks live results and text notifications available via Chronotrack.

Donation Partner (2026):

• Arrowleaf — nonprofit serving Southern Illinois with Behavioral Health, Developmental Services, and Community Collaboration.

Rules:

• No refunds, no bib transfers.
• DO NOT LITTER — offenders face disqualification.
• Use trash bins at aid stations or store trash on yourself.

The Tunnel Hill 100 is the fastest 100-mile course in the world. Five world records, USATF National Championships, stunning rails-to-trails scenery, and a community of legends. How fast do you want to run?