Living in nearby Paducah, KY, I spent many days on the Tunnel Hill rails to trails.
I was fascinated by the neat bridges, the pretty scenery, and most of all, the dark, cool tunnel.. Even though I knew that trains ran through it, I was always fearful of running into the wall… it seemed to narrow on you as you approached the middle.
After I ran my first 100 miler in 2004 I started to think of hosting a 100 on the Tunnel Hill trails.

I was fortunate enough to be asked by the River to River Runners Club to speak at their banquet this year. There I approached them with the idea of hosting a 100 miler there, with a 50 mile option. They liked the idea, and voila’, we have it!

What a great course it is, too! Fast! I’m thinking there is an excellent argument that this could be the fastest hundred miler in the United States.
There are no altitude issues… elevation runs between 340’ and 680’ above sea level.
No humongous hills… instead a gentle 2% grade.
No trip hazards to contend with at night… this is a crushed limestone, smooth trail. Heck, you might not even need your light at night if the moon is right.
And, we are having it in mid November to take out the hot, humid days.

This just seems to be the perfect 100 miler for first time hundreds (and everyone wants to run 100 miles now, don’t they? The same runners who, several years ago, were facing their first marathons).
It’s also ideal for veterans to break that elusive 24 hour barrier, or for faster runners to finally crack 20 hours.

Someone could very well go into the mid or even low teens here.

Annnd… don’t think that because it’s a rails trail that it will be boring… nothing further from the truth… the trail cuts beautifully through gorgeous overlooks, using some very cool bridges. It’ll leave you wanting more.

Thanks to the River to River Runners Club, and the wonderful people at Tunnel Hill trails.
We’re looking forward to being your host!

Steve Durbin – Race Director