2026 Southern Tour Ultra

The 2026 Southern Tour Ultra takes place on January 16-17 in Wilmington, North Carolina, utilizing a 10-mile loop trail course near Scott's Hill Loop Road and Poplar Grove Plantation. Participants can expect winter weather conditions typical for coastal North Carolina in mid-January, with average temperatures ranging from lows in the mid-30s to highs in the mid-50s Fahrenheit, though conditions can be cool and damp. The event features a multi-day ultra challenge format with a festival atmosphere, offering 100-mile, 50-mile, 50K, and relay options on a repeating loop trail. The venue provides a community-focused environment with camping, tailgating, classic rock music, and a massive bonfire.

What is the event name and date?

• →The event is the 2026 Southern Tour Ultra
• →The dates are January 16-17, 2026

Where is the event located?

• →The event is held in Wilmington, North Carolina
• →The specific location is Scott's Hill Loop Road near Poplar Grove Plantation

What distances are available for this event?

• →100 Mile Individual (10 x 10-Mile Loop) starting Friday, January 16 at 12:00 PM EST
• →50 Mile Individual (5 x 10-Mile Loop) starting Saturday, January 17 at 6:30 AM EST
• →50K (3 x 10-Mile Loop) starting Saturday, January 17 at 7:30 AM EST
• →50 Mile Age Graded Relay (10-person team, 10 legs) starting Saturday, January 17 at 8:30 AM EST

How much does registration cost?

• →100 Mile Individual: $225
• →50 Mile Individual: $115
• →50K: $95
• →50 Mile Age Graded Relay: Pricing based on individual join or pre-purchase of 10 entries (check availability)

What are the registration deadlines and status?

• →Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST
• →Current Status: ALL EVENTS FULL - Waiting lists closed

What are the course cutoff times?

• →100 Mile: 31 hours (Cutoff Saturday, January 17 at 7:00 PM EST)
• →50 Mile: 14.5 hours (Cutoff Saturday, January 17 at 9:00 PM EST)
• →50K: 13.5 hours (Cutoff Saturday, January 17 at 9:00 PM EST)
• →50 Mile Relay: 12.5 hours (Cutoff Saturday, January 17 at 9:00 PM EST)
• →All athletes must be finished and off course by 8:00 PM Saturday

What is the event schedule?

Friday, January 16 (100 Mile Participants Only):

• →10:00 AM: Gates open
• →10:15-11:30 AM: Packet pickup at race site
• →12:00 PM: 100 Mile start

Friday, January 16 (All Participants):

• →1:00-5:00 PM: Packet pickup at Fleet Feet Sports Wilmington
• →1:00-7:00 PM: Camping check-in at race site
• →7:00 PM: All RVs/campers must be inside premises

Saturday, January 17:

• →5:00 AM: Gates open at Scott's Hill Loop Road
• →5:30 AM: Shuttle service starts from Poplar Grove Plantation
• →6:15 AM: 50 Mile meeting (mandatory)
• →6:30 AM: 50 Mile race start
• →7:15 AM: 50K meeting (mandatory)
• →7:30 AM: 50K race start
• →8:15 AM: Relay meeting (mandatory)
• →8:30 AM: 50 Mile Relay first leg start
• →5:00 PM: Course sweep begins
• →8:00 PM: All athletes must be finished and off course
• →10:00 PM: Quiet time for campers

Sunday, January 18:

• →9:00 AM: Site clear-out

What amenities are included with the event?

• →Classic rock music throughout the event
• →Massive bonfire
• →Beer available
• →Camping and tailgating options
• →Shuttle service from Poplar Grove Plantation (Saturday morning)
• →Aid stations on course

What are the camping and parking rules?

• →Camping check-in is Friday from 1:00-7:00 PM
• →A camping pass is required to enter the site on Friday
• →All RVs and campers must be inside the premises by 7:00 PM on Friday
• →Quiet time is 10:00 PM on Saturday (music/noise off)
• →Site clear-out is 9:00 AM on Sunday

Are there mandatory meetings?

• →50 Mile: Meeting at 6:15 AM Saturday
• →50K: Meeting at 7:15 AM Saturday
• →Relay: Meeting at 8:15 AM Saturday
• →Relay first runners must check in by 8:00 AM Saturday

Is there a pre-race packet pickup option?

• →Yes, packet pickup is available at Fleet Feet Sports Wilmington on Friday from 1:00-5:00 PM

What is the course format?

• →The course is a 10-mile loop repeated based on distance
• →100 Mile: 10 loops
• →50 Mile: 5 loops
• →50K: 3 loops
• →50 Mile Relay: 10 legs (1 loop per runner)

What is the policy regarding training on the property before the event?

• →CRITICAL NOTICE: The property is actively hunted with trail cameras
• →DO NOT enter or train on the property before the event for safety and landowner respect

What happens during the course sweep?

• →Course sweep begins at 5:00 PM on Saturday
• →100 Mile, 50 Mile, and 50K runners must be on their final lap to finish
• →All relay teams must be on their last lap by this time

How do relay teams work?

• →The relay is a 50 Mile Age Graded Relay with 10-person teams
• →There are 10 legs (1 loop per runner)
• →Registration options allow joining a team individually or pre-purchasing all 10 entries
• →Availability should be checked as it is not listed as "FULL" like individual races