Hell Creek Half and 50K 2026
The Hell Creek Half and 50K takes place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Wilson State Park near Wilson, Kansas. Participants will navigate the Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail, which offers continuous views of the clear waters of Wilson Lake. Given the late August date in Sylvan Grove, runners should prepare for high sun and wind exposure, as the course is fully exposed with minimal tree cover. The event features a hilly, non-technical single-track dirt terrain that emphasizes elevation endurance over technical footwork.
What distances are available for this event?
- →Half Marathon (~13 miles): A single loop course that begins with approximately 1/3 mile on pavement before transitioning to the trail.
- →50K (~32 miles): A distance slightly longer than a standard 50K, consisting of an initial ~19-mile Hell Creek loop variation followed by a full second loop of the half marathon course.
What is the event schedule and start times?
- →50K Start Time: 7:30 AM
- →Half Marathon Start Time: 8:00 AM
- →50K Check-in: 6:40 AM – 7:20 AM
- →Half Marathon Check-in: 7:30 AM – 7:50 AM
- →Early Check-in: Friday from 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
- →Final Course Cutoff: 5:00 PM
What are the course and elevation details?
The course is located on the Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail and consists of smooth, runnable single-track dirt. While the terrain is non-technical, it features constant rolling hills.
- →50K Elevation: Approximately 3,000 ft of gain/loss.
- →Half Marathon Elevation: Approximately 1,300 ft of gain/loss.
What aid stations and supplies are provided?
Aid stations are strategically placed to support runners throughout the course:
- →Main Stations: Located at the Start/Finish and Hell Hill.
- →Mile 5: Unmanned station providing water and fuel.
- →Mile 13: Additional unmanned station specifically for 50K runners.
- →Supplies: Water, soda, ultra food, and Proxima C Endurance Fuel are available.
What are the key race rules and restrictions?
- →No pacers are allowed during the race.
- →Crews are only permitted at the start/finish line.
- →Drop bags are permitted at Hell Hill and the start/finish line.
- →Participants must carry their own water.
- →Switching distances mid-race is strictly prohibited.
- →There are no refunds or bib transfers.
- →The minimum age for participation is 16.
What should I expect regarding weather and terrain?
The course is fully exposed with minimal tree cover, meaning runners will face significant sun and wind exposure. The terrain is a single-track dirt trail that is fully runnable but includes repetitive elevation changes that can lead to fatigue.
Where can I register for the event?
Registration is available via UltraSignup ↗.