Glacier Hills Ultra 50k

Event Details

The Glacier Hills Ultra takes place on November 7, 2026 at Newton Hills State Park near Canton, South Dakota. The event offers three trail race distances: 20 km, 30 km, and 50 km.

The Course

The race is run on a 10 km loop through the Newton Hills trail system. Each loop has approximately 850 feet of elevation gain. The races consist of repeating this loop: 2 loops for the 20k, 3 loops for the 30k, and 5 loops for the 50k. All races start and finish at the same location near a picnic shelter, which also serves as the main aid station. A water station is available at mile 4 of each loop. The course is shared with horse trails for 4 miles. The course will be marked with signage, pin flags, and tape.

Logistics

There is a strict cutoff time for all races: runners must finish by 2:00 PM. This results in time limits of 8 hours for the 50k, 7 hours for the 30k, and 6 hours for the 20k. Packet pickup details are to be determined. A pre-race briefing is held at the start line 10 minutes before each race start. Runners are required to check in on race morning before the announcements begin. The event recommends parking in the horse camp parking lot, which is approximately half a mile from the start/finish area, and advises allowing an extra 20 minutes for parking and walking to the start.

Participants can use a designated tarp area at the aid station for drop bags, but they must label their own bags. The event notes that items are not monitored. Newton Hills State Park offers camping and cabin reservations. Other lodging options are available in nearby Canton or Sioux Falls. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.