Hell Creek Half & 50K
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Hell Creek Half & 50k
The Hell Creek races take place on August 21, 2027 in Sylvan Grove, Kansas, at the Switchgrass trail head in Wilson State Park (GPS N38°54.965 W98°30.549). The event is organized by Ultraverse Supplements and offers two trail distances.
Distances
- 50k - about 32 miles; one 19-mile loop plus the half course loop.
- Half marathon - one 13ish mile loop with an initial 1/3 mile on pavement.
All runs use the Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail. The single-track route is rugged but described as fully runnable, with few trees and frequent views of Wilson State Park and Wilson Lake. The course will be heavily marked with ribbons, flags, and wrong-way signs. Elevation change is roughly 3000 ft for the 50k and about 1300 ft for the half marathon.
Aid stations are located at the start/finish and at Hell Hill, with an unmanned water and fuel station near mile 5 and another around mile 13 on the Hell Creek Loop for 50k runners. Drop bags may be left at Hell Hill and the start/finish.
Race policies include cutoffs of 9.5 hours for the 50k and 9 hours for the half marathon, no pacers, and crew access limited to the start/finish area. Runners must carry a means to hold water and meet a minimum age of 16; under 18 requires a guardian waiver. No refunds or bib transfers are allowed; a graduated credit policy applies for cancellations within set timeframes. Swag includes a dri-fit tank top and finisher awards, with a 50k buckle and a pup-specific medal available for dogs that run with owners. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
