Shawnee Hills Trail Races

Course Details
Camp Ondessonk
3760 Ondessonk Rd.
Ozark, IL 62972

Camp Ondessonk, in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, is the home base for Shawnee Hills Trail Races. Runners get to explore some of the most stunning and extraordinary rock formations and waterfalls that Shawnee National Forest is well known for, vegetation consists largely of oak-hickory, maple-beech, and pine forests. The course takes you deep into the sandstone canyon systems of Southern Illinois' Shawnee Hills Natural Division while traversing Jackson Hollow and the Bay Creek Reservoir and several waterfalls along the course including Pakentuck Falls (the tallest free-falling waterfall in Illinois), Jackson Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Cedar Falls along with some inspiring views from Salomon's Ridge.

THE COURSE is a figure eight loop with a combination of 80% single track trail, all dirt with some fire roads. The course is hilly; total climb between 50 feet - 150 feet (2,500 feet - 7,500 feet in 50miles), the terrain is technical with lots of rocks, roots/ruts and creek crossings to keep you present.
Runners will be exposed to heat and humidity along with possible encounter with Snakes, Ground Hornets and Bees that are native to the area.

DISTANCE
100 Mile Run (1 short 3-ish mile loop at the start and 3 x 32-ish mile loop)
100K Run (2 x 32-ish mile loop)
50K Run (1 32-ish mile loop)
1/2 Marathon (13-ish miles on the west section of the loop)

Start Time, Cut-offs, Schedule
All distances start and finish on the Camp Ondessonk grounds.
100Mile
START TIME: 6am CDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026
TIME LIMIT: 33 Hours
PACER for 100Mi Only 1 pacer at a time will be allowed on the course. Pacer can be picked up when beginning loop 2 at Camp O or at other designated aid stations where crew is allowed.
PACER must fill out waiver via ultrasignup and collect bib from packet pickup! No exceptions!
Contact us via email for early or late Check In.

100K
START TIME: 7am CDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026
TIME LIMIT: 32 Hours
PACER for 100K Only 1 pacer at a time will be allowed on the course.
Pacer can be picked up on the start of loop 2 at Camp O or any aid station where crew is allowed. (100K)
PACER must fill out waiver via ultrasignup and collect bib from packet pickup! No exceptions!
Contact us via email for early or late Check In.

50K
START TIME: 7am CDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026
TIME LIMIT: 32 Hours
PACER Not Allowed for 50K Distance.
NIGHT 50K
START TIME: 7pm CDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026
TIME LIMIT: 20 Hours
PACER Not Allowed for 50K Distance.

1/2 Marathon
START TIME: 8am CDT on Saturday, August 22, 2026
TIME LIMIT: 12 Hours
PACER Not Allowed for 1/2 Marathon Distance.

CHECK IN/PACKET PICKUP: Friday, August 21 from 4pm - 7pm; Race Morning pickup is available for 100k, 50k and half marathon only - Saturday Aug 22 530am-730 am.
PRE-RACE MEETING: Check your runner manual! We will have an in-person and online option!

If you fail to finish the distance you are signed up to run, you ARE now eligible for a time of the minimum official distance you OFFICIALLY COMPLETED (you must cross an official finish line- this means if you drop from the 50k, you are not awarded the half marathon distance. If you drop from the 100 mile or 100k, you will receive the finish medal or buckle for the next distance down - you will not be eligible for awards.) Example: You are registered for the 100k but only complete one loop, you are eligible for a 50k time and medal but not awards. You deserve to be rewarded for the work you put in, but we want to keep it fair.

Important Please Read!
This is the official UltraSignup registration page for the 2026Shawnee Hills Trail Races.

IMPORTANT NOTE: We ask that you do not register until you have taken the time to review the official race website HERE and familiarize yourself with general race information, race rules, deadlines, entry fees, field limits, registration, and refund policies etc.

We are 100% dedicated to making this experience amazing for each and every runner. If you have any questions or concerns prior to registering, please reach out to us! We can't wait to see you all in August 2026!

Thank you - Micki and Chad

Aid Stations
There will be 5 manned aid stations fully-stocked with water, electrolyte drinks, snacks, first aid, and enthusiastic volunteers!
Approximate distance between aid stations is 5 miles with no distance greater than approximately 8 miles between aid stations in either event.

Restrooms will be at Start/Finish, Trigg Tower, Jackson Falls, Cinder Path and Cedar Road Aid Stations.

Swag and Awards
Each registered runners will receive a custom event shirt available in both male and female cuts!
By default, the women's shirts will be a women's fit tank top. If you'd rather have a unisex t-shirt, please select the men's shirt. Both are Next Level, soft cotton blends!

Shirt Order Deadline is August 10, 2026**
AWARDS AS YOU FINISH
Finisher Awards:
100mi Run - Custom Belt Buckle
100K Run - Custom Belt Buckle
50K Run - Custom Medal
1/2 Marathon - Custom Medal

Overall Awards for male, female and non-binary winners for all distances.

Lodging
We will have the rustic one-star luxury of the Camp O tree houses for our overnight weekend accommodations. All weekend lodging at Camp Ondessonk for two people (runner + 1) is included in your registration. For each additional person accompanying the runners there will be a $10 fee for lodging in the treehouses for the entire weekend. These kick ass tree houses give you the outdoor experience without the hassles of packing all your camping gear. Think open air sleeping with a roof over your head, no doors or screens to interrupt your enjoyment of all things outdoors. A sleeping bag, some clothes, your running gear and a pair of running shoes are all you need to bring. If you still want to drag along the tent and sleep on the ground we can accommodate you too, and this year there are a very limited number of Hostel-style, climate-controlled guest rooms with private bathroom and free WiFi sleeps 8 people. Visit Camp Ondessonk facility page to get the details and/or reserve a room.

Camping: 1 tent per runners is included in the registration fee for any additional tents there will be a $10 fee for camping.

If the tree houses aren't your thing, check out hotels in Vienna or Marion, IL. There are also a few Airbnb's near Ozark, IL you can check out.

Important Deadlines
Tier 1 Price Increase - January 1, 2026
Tier 2 Price Increase - June 1, 2026
Guaranteed shirt with registration - August 5, 2026
Lodging Add-On - August 1, 2026
Distance Switch/Drop Down - August 1, 2026