American Bottoms 100
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American Bottoms 113 and 56 Mile Ultramarathon
American Bottoms is a road ultramarathon held in the American Bottom region along the Mississippi River with race headquarters in Columbia, Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. The event offers two distance options and runs through historic river bluffs, levees, and quiet backroads.
- 113 mile: out and back; 1,591 ft elevation gain; 35 hour cut-off; 17 aid stations.
- 56 mile: point to point; 791 ft elevation gain; 17.5 hour cut-off; 8 aid stations.
The course roughly follows the American Discovery Trail and the Kaskaskia - Cahokia Trail and reaches the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. Participants pass multiple historic sites, including Piggott's Fort, Fort de Chartres, and the town of Prairie du Rocher. Surface composition is about 51% pavement and 49% gravel.
The event is described as flat and fast, with modest total elevation gain for the distances involved. Aid stations are frequent along the routes and cut-off times are generous compared with many ultras. The organizer presents the race as a no-frills event with a low entry fee. The event is scheduled in March 2027. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
