Races
Tunnel Hill
Vienna, Illinois. Tunnel Hill rail trail. Flat-ish. November cold. Mind game on crushed limestone.
100 mi+773 ft-782 ft30 hours387 ft to 419 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookrail trailflatWSER qualifierNovember
Distance100 mi
Gain+773 ft
Loss-782 ft
Altitude387 ft to 419 ft
Technicality5/10
Air30°F to 65°F
- Start417 ft
- High419 ft
- Low387 ft
- Finish407 ft
Field, 2025 · 12-year samplescraped
Starters173
Finish rate100%
Median23:27
Sub-2492
Geometryderived
Steepest drop33 ft-0.3% over 2.1 mi
Night miles53 misunset near 17:00 local
Course records
Men11:26:19Elov Olsson
Women12:37:04Caitriona Jennings
The cruxVienna rail trail monotony in November cold (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Tunnel Hill runs 100 mi through Illinois. +773 ft gain and -782 ft loss. Surfaces skew 90% rail trail / 10% road. Vienna rail trail monotony in November cold. High point near 419 ft. Low near 387 ft. November temps run 30°F to 65°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 773 feet of climbing across 100 mi. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 30 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 65.
Kit
November in Illinois: plan for 30°F to 65°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 30 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 90% rail trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. Vienna rail trail monotony in November cold near mile 65 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Tunnel Hill finish lines.
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Sources (2)
- Field stats (2025): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=122751
- Course record (M): https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=101007