Tunnel Hill 50 Mile
Where the 2026 race is now
- Registration closed
- Race daySaturday, November 14, 2026
- ResultsPosted here as soon as the timer has them
- Race day
- Nov 14, 2026 Saturday
- Distance
- Ultra Ultramarathon
- Entry
- Closed 2026 edition
- Boston qualifier
- n/a
- Live tracking
- Not yet Shown here race week
Quick facts
- Fast, non-technical rail trail with about 900 feet of total climbing.
- Runs through the 543-foot tunnel twice.
- A 30-hour limit makes it unusually welcoming for a first 50.
- Championship division requires USATF membership and U.S. citizenship.
- Pacers are allowed only after dark, and aid stations come about every 5 miles.
Course
From Vienna City Park the course runs south for 13.1 miles to the Wetland Center turnaround and back to Vienna at mile 26.2. Runners then go north, through the 543-foot tunnel, to a turnaround at mile 38.1 and return through it to finish in the park. The surface is mostly crushed limestone with some concrete, total climbing is about 900 feet, and grades top out near 2%. Nothing is technical, so the difficulty comes from holding effort on long, straight, repetitive miles.
Race-day weather
Mid-November in southern Illinois often means cool mornings and mild afternoons. It can also bring frost at the start, a cold rain or a wind you did not plan for, and slower runners still on course at dusk will feel the temperature drop quickly.
About the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile
Few 50-milers anywhere have this kind of record book: men's and women's world records have both been set here, and the course carries an IAU Gold Label plus USATF and World Athletics certification. The race has hosted the USATF 50 Mile Road Championships, with a separate championship division scored apart from the open field, so a 5-hour racer and a first-timer on the 30-hour clock share the same trail.
Past Tunnel Hill 50 Mile dates and results
| Year | Date | Status | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, November 14, 2026 | Upcoming | — |
| 2025 | Saturday, November 8, 2025 | Results available | Open results |
| 2024 | Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Results available | Open results |
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Tunnel Hill 50 Mile FAQ
When is the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile?
The 2026 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile is on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Is registration open for the 2026 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile?
Registration for the 2026 Tunnel Hill 50 Mile is closed. View the official registration details at ultrasignup.com.
How do I track a runner in the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile?
Most races publish tracking in race week. Marathon Scout links the official tracker on this page during race week, once the race or its timing provider publishes it.
Where can I find the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile results?
The 2025 results and earlier years are linked on the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile results page.
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