Glacier Hills Ultra 50k
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Glacier Hills Ultra 50K
Glacier Hills Ultra is a trail running event held at Newton Hills State Park near Canton, SD. It offers three distances:
- 50K
- 30K
- 20K
The course is a roughly 10k loop through the park with about 850 ft of elevation gain per loop. Races are comprised of multiple loops to reach the advertised distances (for example, 2, 3, or 5 loops). Aid is located at the start/finish area and runners will pass a water point roughly four miles into each loop. Because the course shares sections with horse trails, organizers enforce time cutoffs for each distance: an 8 hour cutoff for the 50K, 7 hours for the 30K, and 6 hours for the 20K.
Course markings include signage, pin flags with reflective strips, tape, and volunteers. The route includes steep climbs and descents, erosion boards, tree roots, and variable surfaces such as dust, mud, and horse manure, so runners should be prepared for typical trail obstacles. A tarp at the aid area is provided for drop bags; participants must label their own bags and are responsible for their items.
Event swag includes Bella Canvas hoodies with an order deadline of October 1 to match entrant numbers and limit excess. A multiyear challenge rewards runners who complete all three distances within cutoffs; intent to pursue this award must be communicated to organizers in advance.
Practical notes: parking options include a horse camp area that can serve as an informal drop location, and racers are advised to allow additional time for driving, parking, and walking to the start area. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
