November 14, 2026 · Vienna, Illinois

got tunnel?

The World’s Premier Speed Course. Home to 5 World Records and the 2026 USATF 50 Mile Championships.

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the tunnel is calling

Tunnel opens in:

00Days 00Hours 00Minutes 00Seconds
Race Director Steve Durbin with runner Charlie Lawrence after the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile

“The fastest course in ultrarunning. Period.”

— UltraRunning Magazine
Hall of Records

Where Records Come to Fall

The crushed limestone surface and consistent 2% grade have produced some of the fastest times in ultrarunning history.

Caitriona Jennings running at Tunnel Hill
100 Mile Women World Record*
12:37:04

Caitriona Jennings

2025

Elov Olsson running at Tunnel Hill
100 Mile Men
11:26:19

Elov Olsson

2023

Charlie Lawrence running at Tunnel Hill
50 Mile Men World Record
4:48:21

Charlie Lawrence

2023

Anne Flower running at Tunnel Hill
50 Mile Women World Record
5:18:57

Anne Flower

2025

Courtney Olsen running at Tunnel Hill
100 km Women American Record
6:59:55

Courtney Olsen

2025

* at time of running

Explore Full History
The Course

Crushed Limestone.
Zero Excuses.

The Tunnel Hill State Trail is a converted rail corridor running through the Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. The surface is flat, fast crushed limestone with a maximum grade of just 2%.

  • Out-and-back through the Shawnee National Forest
  • Consistent 2% grade — no hills, no altitude
  • Aid stations every ~5 miles with full nutrition
  • Iconic Tunnel #1 — a 543-foot limestone passage
View Course Details
Runners emerging from the double tunnel on the Tunnel Hill course
Runner in the tunnel

“Nothing is faster in terms of 100-mile trail courses in the country.”

— Harvey Lewis
Read the Origin Story
Powered Together

Current Partners

Brands, communities, and running organizations helping every Tunnel Hill athlete reach the finish.

Mount to Coast logo Official Shoe Sponsor adidas logo adidas Durbin Race Management logo Durbin Race Management Colson Photography logo Colson Photography So iLL Racing logo So iLL Racing
Ketone-IQ logo Ketone-IQ Buzz Bomb logo Buzz Bomb Tailwind Nutrition logo Tailwind Squirrel's Nut Butter logo Squirrel Nut Butter Final Lap Racing logo Race Timing Partner City of Vienna Illinois Johnson County, Illinois logo Johnson County, IL West Kentucky Runners logo West Kentucky Runners Club River to River Runners Club logo River to River Runners Club
Arrowleaf logo Donation Partner Runner donations support Arrowleaf, a Southern Illinois nonprofit strengthening behavioral health and community services throughout the region.