Races
Tunnel Hill
Vienna, Illinois. Tunnel Hill rail trail. Flat-ish. November cold. Mind game on crushed limestone.
100 mi30 hours322 ft to 728 fttech 5/106 stationsrail trailflatWSER qualifierNovember
Distance100 mi
Altitude322 ft to 728 ft
Technicality5/10
Air30°F to 65°F
- Start371 ft
- High722 ft
- Low331 ft
- Finish371 ft
- Illinois at mile 0.0
- Tunnel Hill mile 20 at mile 20, cutoff 6 hours
- Tunnel Hill mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 12 hours
- Tunnel Hill mile 60 at mile 60, cutoff 18 hours
- Tunnel Hill mile 80 at mile 80, cutoff 24 hours
- Finish Illinois at mile 100, cutoff 30 hours
Field, 2025 · 12-year sampleresults
Starters173
Finish rate100%
Median23:27
Sub-2492
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop194 ft-1.7% 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. Surfaces skew 90% rail trail / 10% road. Vienna rail trail monotony in November cold. High point near 728 ft. Low near 322 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 the 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