The Hitchcock Experience

December 7-8, 2024

What this race supports

Proceeds from the Hitchcock Experience will go toward a donation to the Hitchcock Nature Center. The GOATz are also committed to providing our time and energy to help better the Hitchcock trail system.

COURSE INFO

The races are run on a 20 mile loop for the 100 and a 16.7 mile loop for the 50 on the hills and ridges of the Hitchcock Nature Center with three aid stations available per loop. The Half Marathon will cut the appropriate distance off the 16.7 loop to get to 13.1 miles.

COURSE  Map

NOTE: The “full” 16.7 loop Strava below is the loop MINUS a section that is private property and only available to us on race weekend, but will give you a good indication of the 16.7 and 20 mile loops.

16.7 Full loop (Strava)
Half Marathon Course (Strava)
Half GPX File

DROP BAGS

Due to overcrowding in the downstairs Lodge area and congestion in the upstairs conference room (packet pickup area) that affects race management and the ski patrol taking care of runners, we implement the following at the Start/Finish:

All drop bags will be kept outside on the lower level by the aid station in a walled shelter. Please mark your bags appropriately for ease of retrieval. Of course this does not mean you can’t bring your bag into the lower level to change clothes or take care of any issues, but the bags need to be stored outside in the designated area.
The conference room on the upper level (packet pickup area) will be for race staff, official business and Ski Patrol ONLY.

The Lodge is the only drop bag location. We will not transport bags to any other aid station location. . There is NO crew access at the Oasis.

PACERS

Hundred milers only will be allowed a single pacer at the Black Diamond aid station (about 52.5 miles) in the middle of the 3rd lap. Additionally, pacers can join at the Start/Finish beginning on the 4th lap.

Crew/Spectator Exception for Campground (Pin - Directions):

With the longer loop and the campground only being about 3.5 miles from the start, it will no longer be an aid station, which also means it would no longer be a place to interact with runners. After much deliberation, we have decided to allow LIMITED runner interaction with the following rules in place.

Runners are to remain on the course – absolutely NO going to vehicles, campers, campsites, etc.
NO picking up of pacers at this location.
Runners, please make sure you and your crew understand these rules as it could be grounds for disqualification.

So that’s what we can’t do, what can we do? Cheer on all runners you see while waiting! You’ll also notice we didn’t say anything about handing things to the runner, so that’s ok (as long as they stay on the course). Please keep in mind this is the only place we allow this rule to be “broken”. You all know what a family a race turns into with crews helping all runners, so maybe you even have your own “Crowd Sourced” aid station next to the trail and offer things to all runners, especially those that don’t have crew.

Race Details

2023 RACE GUIDE
You may never look at an Iowa race the same again.
- Saturday – Sunday, December 7-8, 2024
- 5 a.m. 100 mile, 101K The Hard Way (half), and Half Marathon; 9 p.m. 50 mile and 101K The Hard Way (50M part)
- Hitchcock Nature Center, Honey Creek, IA
- Field Limit is 125 runners
- 100M = 6 laps
- 101K The Hard Way = Half Marathon THEN the 50M
- 50M = 3 laps
- Half Marathon = 1 shortened lap
- Surface is single track to fire road-size trail and a small amount of maintenance road
- Elevation change per loop = approximately 4,928’

RACE LOCATION

Hitchcock Nature Center is located approximately 30 minutes northeast of Omaha, NE in Honey Creek, IA (27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542)

Quick Stats

Race Date: Saturday-Sunday, December 7-8, 2024

Location: Hitchcock Nature Center
Start Time: 5 a.m. 100M, 101K The Hard Way (half part) & 1/2 Marathon; 9 p.m. 50M
Registration: Open
Early Bird Entry Fees:
- 100M: $195
- 101K The Hard Way: $140
- 50M: $95
- Half Marathon: $75
Registration cap: 125 total runners

AID STATIONS

Each loop contains three fully stocked and manned aid stations for the full 20/16.7 loops. NOTE: 1/2 Marathon does not go to Black Diamond, just The Oasis so there will be one aid station roughly mid-way.

The Lodge aka Beacon of Hope/Despair (start/finish). Drop bags, crew access, pacer pickup
The Oasis at approximately 6.75 miles. The Oasis is located on the west edge of the Hitchcock Nature Center. Note: There is absolutely NO crew access at the Oasis.
Black Diamond at approximately 11.5 miles (Pin - Directions). New aid station for the full (not 1/2 Marathon) 16.7-mile loop. Fully stocked aid.
Our aid stations will make every effort to limit waste. Cups will be limited to soft drinks and hot soups or drinks. Because of this all runners must carry a bottle or hydration pack. This is not optional.

Note: we will do our best to provide you with a variety of food options throughout your race, however, all items listed here may be not available each trip through. Please understand and adjust to what is available at the time you visit. We cannot accommodate special dietary needs for each of our runners. If you have a special requirement, please be sure to keep it in your drop bag or with a crew member.

Aid stations may have the following food and drink options:

Water, Tailwind, Pop, miscellaneous hot drinks
Hot soups, broth, quesadillas, peanut butter sandwiches, chips, and more

Race WEEKEND schedule

Early Packet Pickup: Friday 2:00-6:00 pm at the lodge (Start/Finish)
Packet Pickup Race Day (100 & Half): 3:45-4:30 am
Pre-race Announcements: 4:45 am
Race Start Times 100M, 101K (1st leg) and Half:
- 5:00 am
Packet Pickup Race Day (50M) : 6-8:30 pm
Pre-race Announcements: 8:45 pm
Race Start Times 50M, 101k (2nd leg):
- 9:00 pm
Final Cutoff for 100, 101K, and 50 miles:
- Sunday at 3 p.m.