Skunk Ape 100 Mile Endurance Run

Event overview

The Skunk Ape trail running event offers two distances:

• 100 Mile
• 50 Mile

It is scheduled for April 25-26 and is based at the Santos Trailhead in the Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, Ocala, FL (3080 S.E. 80th St, Ocala FL 34470). Registration closes April 13. Both distances have a 36-hour overall cut-off. The 50 Mile finisher receives a plaque and the 100 Mile finisher receives a belt buckle. Overall top-four male and female finishers receive wooden trophies.

Course, aid and logistics

The primary course is an approximately 50-mile out-and-back on the Florida National Scenic Trail and paved trails in the Cross Florida Greenway; 100 Mile entrants run that loop twice. The route passes through sand pine scrubs, pine flatwoods, longleaf pines, lakes, ponds, prairies and riverine hardwoods. Trail surfaces include single-track, sand, roots, short climbs and paved sections. Elevation gain is listed as 1,562 feet (double that for the 100 Mile).

Aid stations, staffed or unstaffed, are stocked with drinks, gels, snacks, produce, bandages and women’s hygiene products; most will offer hot food or coffee. Aid stations are marked outbound with pink ribbons in trees and inbound with pink ground flags, both with reflectors. Drop bags are collected at the start and have designated aid-station locations; 100 Mile runners have three drop-bag points. Crew access is available at all aid stations. Pacers are allowed for 100 Mile runners after 50 miles; special rules apply for older runners and the 50 Mile distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.