Experience the unique challenge of running on North Dakota’s awe inspiring MAAH DAAH HEY TRAIL. This event will give every participant an experience they will remember for the rest of their lives. The North Dakota Badlands provide a truly stunning backdrop for one of North America’s most challenging and rewarding stretches of continuous single track trail.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 5K:
Run a 5k unlike any other! This 5k will take you on the Maah Daah Hey through the heart of the North Dakota Badlands. The majority of this racecourse is on the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail. Racers will start at the highest elevation of their race and literally run downhill all the way to the finish line. You can catch a ride from your own fan club or park your car at the finish line and jump on one of our shuttles up to the Medora Musical Gift Shop. Racers will meet at the flag poles on the west side of the Gift Shop. The race will start at 8am MDT sharp. Runners will have a mass start that begins by heading west across the Medora Musical parking lot. Runners will aim for the two-track jeep trail that connects to the Maah Daah Hey trail. Follow the neon arrows, spray painted on the ground that point you north to the black MDH trail gate. Follow the MDH posts all the way downhill to the end of the trail where you will run underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 100 MILE:
Become one of the few people in the world that can say they ran 116 miles on the Maah Daah Hey in a single shot! Take in the rugged Badlands and experience a unique part of North Dakota as you traverse the expansive beauty of the Badlands on your 58-mile trek north. As you turn around and head back to Medora, enjoy taking in all the Badlands have to offer while you run through the night awaiting the breath-taking sunrise early Saturday morning.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 10K:
Add some spice to your race calendar with this exciting 10k! Run on the famous Maah Daah Hey trail and leave with an experience to brag about to anyone and everyone. The MDHTR 10k starts at a much more remote location. The Buffalo Gap Trail intersects West River road just south of I-94’s Exit #23. The race will start on the gravel road giving racers some time to spread out before filing onto the single-track. Be courteous and communicate about passing as needed, once on the trail. Follow the arrows spray painted on the ground, and the 4×6 wooden posts that mark the Buffalo Gap Trail. Before too long you dead end straight into the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At the “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the 4×6 MDH wooden posts, and arrows spray painted on the ground, all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN HALF Marathon:
Take your half marathon to a whole new level with the Maah Daah Hey Half Marathon. Bask in the beauty and challenges that the Maah Daah Hey trail brings you. Take a look at the Google map of the MDHTR course, see Buffalo Gap Guest Ranch, that is where this race starts! Runners will leave the Ranch on the gravel road and turn left at the T-intersection, giving the faster racers a little bit of time to break away before turning right, onto the Buffalo Gap Trail. Follow the neon arrows spray painted on the ground, and the 4×6 wooden posts that mark the Buffalo Gap Trail. Then in about 5 miles you will reach your first and only Checkpoint. Get what you need to take you the rest of the way to Medora! Before too long the Buffalo Gap Trail dead ends straight into the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At the “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the 4×6 MDH wooden posts all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN 50 MILE:
Is there a better place to run an ultra than in the Badlands? The short answer is no. Take in the beautiful scenery with each climb and descent.
MAAH DAAH HEY TRAILRUN Marathon:
Set yourself apart from other marathon runners. Run the Maah Daah Hey Marathon and become a legend to your friends and family! This challenge will leave you wanting more. This will be one of the most memorable marathons of your life! You will start on the Maah Daah Hey Trailhead, in Wannagan Campground. The trail will take you down to your first of many black gates, immediately followed by your first of many creek crossings. You will be following neon arrows spray painted on the ground, and 4×6 wooden Maah Daah Hey Trail markers for the first few miles. Then you will hang a right onto the Buffalo Gap Trail, which is every bit as raw, rugged and beautiful as the MDH. Once you’ve ran a little over a total of 10 miles you will hit your first of two Checkpoints, 730 ROAD CHECKPOINT. Fill up your bottles and hydration packs with water and/or sports drink. Keep heading south on the Buffalo Gap Trail and in just over 8 miles you will run into your second and final Checkpoint, OLD HWY 10 CHECKPOINT. This checkpoint will have the water also, so take what you will need to make it the last 8 miles to the finish line. Before too long you dead end back onto a different part of the world famous Maah Daah Hey Trail! At that “T” intersection take a left turn and go through the black gate. Now you will be following the MDH wooden posts again all the way until you finally pass underneath a bridge. Follow the red metal arrows pointing you onto the paved path that takes you east, towards Medora. The finish line is at the end of the paved path.
Awards
All 5k, 10k, Half Marathon and Marathon Participants will receive a custom finisher’s medal upon crossing the finish line and the Ultra Race finishers ( 50 and 100) will receive a custom belt buckle. Top 3 men’s and women’s finishers will be awarded in each category as well as age groups in each category!
CATEGORIES
- 7 and under boys and girls
- 8 to 12 year old boys and girls
- 13 to 19 male and female
- Men’s and Women’s 20 to 29
- Men’s and Women’s 30 to 39
- Men’s and Women’s 40 to 49
- Men’s and Women’s 50 to 59
- Men’s and Women’s 60 to 69
- Men’s and Women’s 70 and Over
Schedule:
Packet Pickup
All racers (excluding 100-milers) must check in at Packet Pickup the night before the race. If you need to arrange an emergency race morning Packet Pickup please contact us 48 hours in advance at [email protected]
10:30am -11:30am Packet Pickup for 116-mile runners at START/ FINISH line in Medora
11:30pm Pre Race Meeting for 116-mile runners at START/ FINISH line, in Medora
12:00pm Race START for 116-mile runners
5pm - 7pm Packet Pickup at BIG WHITE TENT 3389 Pool Drive, Medora, ND 58645 – 5k+, 10k+, 13.1, 26.2+ and 58 mile
Additional Dates:
