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The Hennepin Hundred
Race Details:
- Location: Sterling, IL, USA
- Race Date: 10/04/2026
- Race Distances: 100 Mile, 50 Kilometer, 50 Mile, Ultra Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Western States 100: Yes
UTMB Index: No
The Hennepin Hundred Description
The Hennepin Hundred is billed as the flattest, fastest 100-miler in the Midwest, following the historic Hennepin Canal State Trail from Sterling, Illinois west to Colona near the Mississippi River. With barely 1,000 feet of elevation change over the entire course, this Western States 100 qualifier draws first-time 100-mile finishers and record chasers alike to its packed dirt, crushed limestone, and chip-seal towpath. Runners cross historic canal locks and lift bridges past Illinois farmland, with a starry night sky overhead and warm-hearted volunteers staffing every aid station along the way.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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The Hennepin Hundred Additional Details:
Every 100-mile finisher earns a custom belt buckle, with upgraded hardware for sub-24-hour and sub-20-hour finishes, and first-timers get a special “Ultra Virgin No More” shirt to mark their debut. Race morning buses shuttle runners from each distance’s finish line back to the shared start in Sinnissippi Park, so cars end up waiting at the finish. Crew access is restricted to designated aid stations only, both for runner safety and because parking along the canal towpath is limited. The race offers $750 to anyone breaking the men’s or women’s 100-mile course record, along with age-group trophies three deep in 10-year brackets. A discount is available for military veterans, and volunteers — many of them ultrarunners themselves — keep aid stations stocked around the clock.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Point to Point
Surface: Road/Pavement, Trails
Pace Groups: No
Time Limit: 30 hr (100M), 18 hr (50K), 15 hr (50M)
# of Finishers
50K: 106 finishers (2025)
50 Mile: 23 finishers (2025)
100 Mile: 203 finishers (2025)
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft
Elevation Loss: 1,000 ft
Average Temperature
- Low: 40°F
- High: 60°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Ultramarathon Training Plans
Explore structured plans across every ultra distance, from your first 50K to 100 miles and beyond.
Things to Do in Sterling, IL, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
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Hotels & Lodging Near the The Hennepin Hundred
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