American Bottoms
113 mi56 miRegistration open

American Bottoms

Columbia, Illinois
Aid stations
9
Days to go
165

At a glance

Date
Mar 20, 2027
Location
Columbia, Illinois
Distances
113 mi, 56 mi
Aid stations
9, 5 with crew access
Registration
Registration open, via ultrasignup.com
Official site
americanbottomsultra.com
Listed from
RunSignUp
Last checked
Oct 4, 2026

Plan this race for free

9 aid stations are already loaded. Add cutoffs, pacing and the timeline your crew follows. Crew invites and race-day updates come with a Race Pass.

Build my plan

About this race

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN BOTTOM

This is a unique road ultra on a beautiful course, following the Mississippi River, as you run through the historic American Bottom. Race headquarters is in Columbia, Illinois just outside of St. Louis, Missouri. The race offers a 110 mile and a 55 mile option.

The course will loosely follow the American Discovery Trail and the Kaskaskia - Cahokia Trail (Illinois' first road). You’ll watch the sun rise over the Illinois bluffs while running on levees and deserted backroads, from Columbia to the confluence of the Kaskaskia and Mississippi Rivers. You’ll make your way through many historic sites, including Piggott's Fort, Fort de Chartres, and the town of Prairie du Rocher.

This is a flat and fast course with generous cut off times, plenty of aid stations, and a friendly atmosphere. It will make a great first hundred miler, or a chance for you to set a new personal record at this distance. So, if you're interested in a no frills ultra with a low entry fee, then come test yourself this spring on the American Bottom.

110 MILE

6:00 a.m. Start. Saturday March 21st, 2026

4:00 p.m. Finish. Sunday March 22nd, 2026

34 hour cut-off

18:32 minute / mile pace

1,400 ft. of elevation gain total

Out & back course

76% levees / 24% hardball road

17 Aid Stations

 

55 MILE

Saturday March 21st, 2026

7:00 a.m. Start

10:00 p.m. Finish

15 hour cut-off

16:21 minute / mile pace

700 ft. of elevation gain total

Point to point course

76% levees / 24% hardball road

8 Aid Stations

Key dates

Registration opens

May 1, 2026

Race day

Mar 20, 2027

165d

Email me updates about American Bottoms

Registration openings and major changes, like a new date or a cancellation.

Aid stations

9

Entry transfers

Can't race, or need an entry? Post it here so nobody has to ask if it's still available.

Tune-up races

Straight-line distance

Similar races

Straight-line distance

All races in Illinois
All races near St. Louis
All March races
Race planning

Plan American Bottoms with Crewable

Build your aid station plan, organize your crew, and dial in your nutrition strategy. Everything you need to finish strong.

Build my plan

Are you the race director for American Bottoms?

Claim this race to manage registration, volunteers, and race day.

Claim your race