HARE MOUNTAIN 100
This race is about discovery. It’s about the quiet—reflection—solitude.
“Thank you for putting on the race that tested my mental and physical ability more than any other thing on Earth. Also, the belt buckle is the prettiest, coolest buckle I have earned so far.”—HM 100 finisher 2024
The HM100 is October 29th, 2027-10:00 AM at Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area.
We would like to be more clear about what this race is—all distances. We do not mark anything with flagging. We do not like flagging. It is marked with wooden trail signs and trail blazes on trees. The RD is old enough, that her memories of trail running in the early days, and the races she prefers personally, are not marked or are minimally marked. There is excitement in being forced to run along a trail and figuring it out. To think. Hare Mountain , the Ozark Highlands Trail, is best explored without pink plastic being your guide. We give you everything you need to run this race. The GPX file is a must, on your phone and in a watch. It is required on a phone for all distances. Study the section maps. Read the detailed description we provide of the course you are running. This is one of the hardest races you will ever attempt, and you’ll love it—because it will challenge you to do what you can do. Just don’t come into it unprepared by not having completed the aforementioned necessities. We believe in self reliance and navigation. We’re going back to the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. We liked it how it was in the beginning. You will too.
ABOUT
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The Hare Mountain 100 is a point-to-point, graduate level run through the most isolated, rugged terrain in Arkansas. It is extremely difficult. Big climbs and relentless smaller, steep climbs in between.
The Ozark Highlands Trail is hiked by thousands of people every year. While very remote, it is not a primitive, unmarked trail by any means. It is a National Scenic Trail maintained by volunteer members of the Ozark Highlands Trail Association.
But, please do not sign up if you are not comfortable with:
-being self sufficient
-no extra marking beyond trail blazes and wooden trail signs
-navigation
-carrying a little extra gear for your safety.
-long distances between some major aid stations (~12 miles is max on a couple, rest are below that distance)
A satellite GPS tracking device and the course GPX downloaded on your phone is a requirement for the 100. The tracker can be yours/borrowed or rented from Maprogress. It will be checked during check-in to make sure you have it. While the trail is marked very well with white blazes for the main trail and blue blazes for the spurs, turns can be missed. Sometimes trees fall where the trail turns. Sometimes the tree with the blaze falls. Sometimes leaves cover the trail. Sometimes it's foggy. It's the wilderness. It's a raw and incredible experience. Be confident you can stay/get back on course.
This is a 100 mile, advanced level, endurance event that incorporates 2 scenic spur loops along the Ozark Highlands Trail. It is located in the Northwestern part of Arkansas across the Boston Mountain segment.
Hare Mountain is the highest point on the OHT at ~2400 feet. This segment covers 164 miles of rocky, steep and rugged hardwood, cedar and pine forests. We’re utilizing 100 miles of the most difficult sections.
There are several creek crossings, amazing wildlife, incredible fall colors, waterfalls, bluffs and beautiful sandstone outcrops.
The race director grew up on this trail. It means a lot to her to bring such a wild and challenging experience to runners.
Measurements taken by GPS and topographic mapping have put elevation gain between 20,000-24,400 feet. It depends on the device/app. Runners will have 38 hours to complete the 100 mile run. -
The 50 mile (16 hour cutoff, 6am start on the 24th) and 50k (10 hour cutoff, 9am start on the 24th) are out and back courses for 2026 due to the shuttle focus shifting to the 100. That means more elevation gain for each. Both start and finish at Shores Lake recreation area. The 50 mile will turn around at Cherry Bend TH and has ~12,000 feet of elevation gain. Check-in for the 50 mile is at the pavilion starting at 5am.
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The 50k is an incredible course comprised of 6 big climbs and descents with 7000 feet of elevation gain. Runners leave Shores Lake, run to Ragtown Rd Aid and return via the same route.
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The 25k loop starts and finishes at Shores Lake. Runners will go up the West side of the Shores Lake/White Rock loop, top out at White Rock lower TH parking, before descending to the spur for the East side of the loop. This course has over 2500 feet of elevation gain.
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The 10k is an out-and-back from Shores Lake to the waterfall on Hurricane Creek and back.
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The White Rock Ascent starts at the junction of the East side spur and the main OHT. Runners run to the top of White Rock (lower TH parking) for their time and run or walk back down to Salt Fork Aid. It has ~1300 feet of gain in 1.8 miles. Cutoff is 8 hours (5pm). Check-in for the 50k, 25k and 10k starts at 8am at the pavilion.
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All of our distances except the 10k are UTMB Index races because we realize some runners would like to run at UTMB. We are allowing runners to improve their performance score, without losing our autonomy.
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Runners can camp at Shores Lake CG (first come, first served), camp in the national forest, rent a cabin in the area (White Rock) or stay in a hotel in Alma.
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Video by Spencer Imbach.
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YANCEY GILL-OHT SHUTTLE
