Hell Creek Half & 50K
Sylvan Grove, United States • 29 Aug 2026
Event
The Hell Creek Half & 50K is scheduled for August 29, 2026 at the Switchgrass Mountain Bike Trail, Wilson State Park, near Sylvan Grove, Kansas. The event offers two distances:
- Half marathon (about 13 miles; includes an initial 1/3 mile on pavement)
- 50K (a 19-mile loop plus the half-marathon loop; race distance is closer to 32 miles)
Elevation gain/loss is listed as about 3,000 ft for the 50K and about 1,300 ft for the half marathon. The race cutoff for both distances is 5:00 PM.
Course and logistics
All runs take place on the single-track Switchgrass trail. The trail is exposed with few wooded sections and runs alongside Wilson Lake. The course is heavily marked with ribbons, flags, and wrong-way signs; volunteers will be posted at key junctions such as "Hell Hill."
There are two staffed aid stations: the start/finish and Hell Hill. Aid station supplies include water, soda, typical ultra food, and Proxima C Endurance Fuel. An unmanned water/Proxima C station is provided at mile 5 and another near mile 13 on the Hell Creek Loop (50K only). Restrooms are available at the start/finish; porta-potties will be placed near the other aid station. Hot showers are available year-round at Big Bluestem campground, about 3/4 mile from the start/finish.
Race rules include no pacers, crew allowed only at the start/finish, drop bags permitted at Hell Hill and the start/finish, minimum age 16 (under 18 requires guardian waiver), and a requirement to carry a means to hold water. Awards and swag: tank top for all entrants, finishers' medal for the half, finishers' buckle for the 50K, and top three male and female awards in each distance. No refunds or bib transfers. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.