Race Info

DETAILS
Date – October 16-17 (Fri-Sat), 2026
Start/Finish Location – Louis Murphy Park
1700 South Grandview Ave. Dubuque, IA 52003
Start Time – 8am (100mi and 100k) – 7am early start option available for runners 60 or older (100 miler only). Must notify race by Thursday of race week of intent to start early.
Time Limit – 33 hours (5pm Saturday) for the 100mi and 23 hours (7am Saturday) for the 100k
Elevation Stats
100mi – Gain ~14,000ft/Loss ~14,000ft
100k – Gain ~8,400ft/Loss ~8,400ft

COURSE SUMMARY
The 100 mile and 100 kilometer races will follow a well-marked ~20mi course that starts and finishes in Louis Murphy Park but spends most of its miles in the Mines of Spain Recreation Area on the expansive network of dirt, grass and rock trails that run throughout. Each loop contains a couple of short stretches of pavement, primarily at the beginning and end, to help connect the different segments of the course. Runners will be treated to beautiful views of the Mighty Mississippi River from a number of stunning vantage points, a tour through and around the iconic Horseshoe Bluff as well as panoramic vistas of beautiful grass prairies and dense hardwood forests. The trails range from steep & technical to flat dirt single track to rolling & grassy and everything in between. While there are plenty of hills to challenge you at the Mines, there are also ample stretches of trail where you can really open up and find your stride. This is a truly diverse course that is perfect for your 1st hundred or your 100th hundred!

SCHEDULE
Thursday
Louis Murphy Park – Start/Finish
4:00pm-8:00pm – Packet pickup and prerace gathering
Please note – No camping or runner setup is allowed Thursday evening

Friday
Louis Murphy Park – Start/Finish
6:00am – packet pickup – Please note that NO ONE is allowed into the park before 6am!
8:00am – Race start!

Saturday
12:00am – 100k cutoff to start 3rd loop
7:00am – 100k Final cutoff
11:00am – 100mi cutoff to start 5th loop
5:00pm – 100mi Final cutoff

CREWS
Crew access is allowed at the start/finish at Louis Murphy Park and AS#3 EB Lyons. Crews are encouraged to set up canopies or tents in Crew-ville which is the greenspace adjacent to the Start/Finish line aid station. No vehicles are allowed to park on the greenspace itself and large recreation vehicles (RVs)/campers/tour buses are NOT ALLOWED overnight at the park due to the very limited parking space available.

Canopies/tents can be placed and setup beginning Friday morning at 6am when the park gate opens. NO EARLY SETUP AND NO CAMPING IS ALLOWED THURSDAY NIGHT AT MURPHY PARK.

NO AID is to be provided by crew (including caching) outside of the two designated aid stations (Start/Finish & AS#03). The park is closed to the public overnight and we have special permission to hold this race. Our rules regarding crewing exist primarily for runner safety especially during the overnight hours as well as to prevent congestion/parking issues that would damage our strong relationship with the city and park staff. Breaking these rules is grounds for runner disqualification and we take it very seriously.

Spectating anywhere other than the non-crew accessible aid stations is allowed within the Mines of Spain during regular park hours (sunup to sundown) ONLY. There are plenty of open parking lots along the main park road where crews can see their runner pass by. Spectating crews should NOT provide aid or run/hike with runners while spectating and runners are not allowed to accept aid from anyone or anywhere other than crew or volunteers at the start/finish and AS#03. Any crew showing up at Sauk Fox or Cattesse will be asked to leave and any illegal crewing observed taking place in the park is grounds for runner disqualification.

PACERS
Pacers are allowed for the 100mi after 3 loops or after 2 loops if beginning the 3rd loop after 7pm.
Pacers are allowed for the 100k after 2 loops.
Only one pacer is allowed at a time and pacer access is limited to the start/finish (Louis Murphy Park) and AS#3 at EB Lyons.
Pacers are more than welcome to eat and drink at the aid stations while they’re accompanying their runner.

Pacers do not need to pre-register in any way but please have your pacer sign-in and pick up his or her pacer bib before joining you on the course. Pacer bibs will be available at the start/finish throughout the race after runners have taken off at 8am. Even if your pacer is joining you at AS#3, please have that person check-in at the start/finish first to sign in and receive their pacer bib.

In the situation that a pacer is not able to keep up with or chooses to split off from his or her runner, the pacer is ONLY allowed to rejoin his or her runner at the crew accessible aid stations (S/F and EB Lyons). Stopping on course and waiting to rejoin his or her runner at any other location is not allowed and grounds for runner disqualification.

To reiterate, crews and pacers are ONLY allowed at the start/finish aid station at Louis Murphy Park and AS#3 at EB Lyons. There are no exceptions to this rule and any individuals that break this rule subject their runner to disqualification.

AID STATIONS/DROP BAGS
There are 4 aid stations that you pass through a total of 5 times per loop. There are 3 on course as well as Crew-ville at the start/finish. The furthest distance between aid stations is 6.3mi and the shortest stretch is 2.1mi.

Drop bag service is provided at ALL 4 aid stations. Drop bags must be labeled with your bib# as well as the name of the aid station and checked in at the designated area at the race start (Friday) no later than 7:30AM. Unlabeled or mislabeled drop bags will NOT be accepted and will NOT be transported out on the course. We don’t want to set any drop bag size restrictions so please just use common sense and keep them reasonably sized and in sturdy materials.

WEATHER
If you’re expecting predictable weather, then you’re in the wrong part of the country! With that being said, mid to late October is GENERALLY a beautiful time of year in eastern Iowa with temps historically ranging from lows in the upper 30’s/lower 40’s to highs in the upper 50’s/lower 60’s. That pre-winter precipitation usually doesn’t start rolling in until closer to November but we advise runners be prepared for any conditions especially during the overnight hours.

RULES
The race distance you start is the race distance you are scored in. There is no dropping down to the 100k after the race has begun. If you do, you will be entered into the final results as a DNF.
All runners, as well as their pacers and crews, must follow the rules listed below at all times during the event. Failure to do so will result in disqualification.

Leave No Trace!
No cutting the course under any circumstances – any runner accepting a ride for any reason will be disqualified. If you leave the course for any reason, you must return to the spot you deviated from the original route and then continue from there.
Trekking poles are allowed.
Check into all aid stations.
Crew/pacers are only allowed access to their runner at the Start/Finish and AS#03 EB Lyons.
Dogs are unfortunately not allowed to accompany their runner on the race course.
Cutoffs will be strictly enforced. Runner must LEAVE the AS by posted cutoff time.
No muling from pacers and only one pacer at a time.
Be respectful and courteous to all other trail and park users.

SWAG & AWARDS
All participants will receive a high quality race shirt & sweatshirt along with other pieces of custom swag. Rest assured, we’ll find as MUCH stuff to give to runners as possible!
All 100mi and 100k finishers receive a custom finisher’s award.
100 mile finishers earn a custom MoS100 belt buckle and finishers under 24 hours earn a special Sub-24 hour belt buckle.
Special podium awards in each race distance for top 3 overall runners for every gender as well as top 3 Masters and top 3 Masters+. We also like to do as many special awards as possible including DFL, Top Dubuquer and in 2019, Top Chad!
Free and unlimited access to all Mile 90 race photography.
Professional chip timing services and runner tracking by Nonstop Race Management.
Hot “real” food for runners post-race and all Saturday through the end of the race.

500 MILE CLUB
This prestigious distinction celebrates our runners who have ran 500 Miles at the Mines of Spain 100 and upon joining, members will receive a beautiful and massive belt buckle as well as a customized Patagonia jacket. Finishes in both race distances count towards the 500 mile total.

Class of 2022 – Andie Bennett, Tara Flesch, Gordon Graham, Jen Even & Kathy Errthum (L-R)

Class of 2023 – Erin Montgomery & Chad Fridley (L-R)

Class of 2024 – Barry Thrune

Class of 2025 – Tim Noel & Bren Raschke (L-R)

MERCHANDISE
We try to offer a number of great options of merchandise for sale every year! Shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc. These make great crew/pacer presents and we really appreciate the support! Anything we have available will be for sale at packet pickup Thursday evening as well as throughout the race. Most items are limited quantity and/or sizes so it’s all first come, first serve but feel free to contact us ahead of time and we can facilitate shipping or pickup at the race!