American Bottoms 100
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Event Details
The American Bottoms 100 is a road ultra marathon held on a Saturday in March. The race headquarters is located in Columbia, Illinois, near St. Louis, Missouri. Participants can choose between two distances: a 55 miler and a 110 miler.
Course and Route
The course loosely follows historic trails, including the American Discovery Trail and the Kaskaskia - Cahokia Trail. Runners travel from Columbia to the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers, passing historic sites like Piggott's Fort, Fort de Chartres, and the town of Prairie du Rocher. The route runs on levees and backroads, offering views of the Illinois bluffs.
Course Characteristics
The course is described as flat. The 110-mile event is an out-and-back route with 1,400 feet of total elevation gain. It is run on approximately 76% levees and 24% hard-surface roads, with 17 aid stations. The 55-mile event is a point-to-point route with 700 feet of total elevation gain, using the same surface mix and featuring 8 aid stations.
Logistics
Generous cutoff times are provided for each distance. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
