Check-In & Packet Pick-Up
Check-In and packet pick-up for all distances is at Mink Creek Group Campground on Friday, for two hours prior to respective pre-race briefings.
100-mile: Friday 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Mink Creek Group Campground.
50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile: Friday 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Mink Creek Group Campground.
Plan to drive yourself or get a lift. Parking is limited, please carpool. DO NOT park on Mink Creek Rd.
Parking along Mink Creek Road is prohibited at ALL times.
Cars will be towed and their runner disqualified.
Pre-Race Briefings
Pre-race briefings for all distances are held on Friday at Mink Creek Group Campground, when shuttles are not operating. Plan to drive yourself or get a lift. Parking is limited, please carpool. DO NOT park on Mink Creek Rd.
100 Mile: Friday at 10:00 am at Mink Creek Group Campground prior to departure for the noon start. Questions regarding the course will be answered and final instructions will be given at this time. Runners should have their drop bags completely prepared and ready for drop off prior to the pre-race briefing. Drop bags must be securely tied and clearly marked, with name, bib number, and aid station.
50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile: Friday at 6:00 pm at the Mink Creek Group Campground. Questions regarding the course will be answered and final instructions will be given at this time. Runners should have their drop bags completely prepared and ready for drop off prior to the pre-race briefing. Drop bags must be securely tied and clearly marked, with name, bib number, and aid station.
Mandatory Kit
We require mandatory kit for all runners (all distances): a mylar emergency blanket and a whistle.
Finish Area - No Parking
Parking is a challenge for our event. THERE IS NO PARKING AT THE FINISH AREA (also known as the 21-miler start). All race distances finish at Mink Creek Group Campground.
Parking is only allowed at the Mink Creek Group Campground on Friday, for check-in/packet pickup and for pre-race briefings, not for the finish on Saturday. Do not drive to the Mink Creek Group Campground on Saturday (until after 9:00 pm; you may drive to the finish area after 9:00 pm).
On Friday, 100-mile runners must drive to the Lead Draw Trailhead for the start of their race.
On Saturday, 50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile runners must park at Century High School (or be dropped off there) and ride the shuttle to the start of their race. You will need to arrive at the High School early enough to catch the shuttle. We will not allow any crew or spectators to park at the Mink Creek Group site for the start of the 50-km or 21-mile race, or during the event.
Crew and spectators will be allowed to ride the shuttles. With over ~400 runners in the 4 events, plus crew and spectators, we foresee this as a potential challenge for some, and we need your help and compliance. This is part of our permitting process; disregarding it will put the future of our event at risk. Everyone must ride a shuttle to the finish if you’re arriving before 9:00 pm on Saturday.
Those that are camping, who have a designated tag can leave their vehicle in the lot, but there are no shuttles to the start of the 100- or 50-mile race from the finish area. Please consider this as you plan your individual logistics for the race.
Drop Bags
Drop bag service will be offered at Goodenough Creek (15.1), South Fork Road (28.5), West Fork (35.5), Gibson Jack (47.8), City Creek (63.5), West Fork (79.7), Big Fir (94.7). Drop bags must be securely tied and clearly marked, with name, bib number, and aid station. Drop bags must be dropped off at your pre-race briefing. They should also be in a weather proof bag, as they will likely be exposed to the elements. All drop bags will be transported to the finish line for you to collect after you finish. All drop bags unclaimed after the race are donated to Goodwill the Friday after the race.
Course Markings
All courses are well-marked and signed so the attentive runner stays on route. All sections are flagged either the day before or the day of the respective races with reusable materials. All marking materials are brightly colored, reflective in the dark on sections that may be run in the dark, and reusable to reduce environmental impact.
Course markings for all race distances are the same. There are 1) single-strand pink webbing hanging from trees or bushes, 2) pink, ground-staked pin-flags, and 3) 9X12” directional signs at critical intersections. Yellow signs with left, right, or straight-ahead arrows indicate the route. Red “Wrong Way” signs mean do not enter.
All flaggers are instructed to place a marker at least every 1/8 mile, more frequently if there are intersections. Intersections are marked with directional signs or before-and-after flagging indicating the correct direction.
Runners should review their respective course maps to be familiar with the route.
Poles
Use of trekking poles is allowed at all times by all runners and pacers.
Pacers
50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile: pacers are not allowed for these distances unless permission is granted by the race directors. Please contact us if you have any special circumstances.
100-mile: pacers are allowed from the West Fork aid station, and can join their runner at these aid stations only:
West Fork (35.3)
Gibson Jack (47.3)
City Creek (60.6)
West Fork (79.1)
South Scout (85.4)
Big Fir (95.9)
Pacers must sign a waiver prior to starting with their runner and must wear a pacer bib while pacing. Waivers and bibs are available at check-in. Aid station captains will have waivers and bibs if not signed at packet pickup.
Start Lines
100-mile runners must check in at the start area at Lead Draw trailhead by 11:30 am Friday.
50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile runners, crew (only allowed for the 100- and 50-mile), and spectators MUST take a shuttle from Century High School on Saturday morning. There will be a final check-in at the start line of each event.
Start Times and Mandatory Shuttles
On Friday, there are no shuttles.
On Saturday, shuttles are REQUIRED for runners to get to the start lines and for all crew and spectators to get to the finish area. Shuttles run continuously on Saturday between Century High School (7801 West Diamond Back Drive, Pocatello) and the finish area until 9:20 PM. If you expect to be at the finish area after 9:20 PM, arrange for a ride or pickup. 50-mile, 50-km, and 21-mile runners will be shuttled to their start lines on Saturday morning from Century High School.
Do Not Drive To The Finish Area On Saturday!
Go to Century High School and get the shuttle.
The 100-mile race starts Friday at noon (12:00 pm) at the Lead Draw trailhead. Because shuttles do not operate on Friday, runners (along with crew and spectators) should drive to the Lead Draw Trailhead for the start of the race.
The 50-mile race starts Saturday at 6:00 am at the Gibson Jack Trailhead and has an 18 hour cutoff at midnight. Do not drive to the start. You must take the shuttle from Century High School.
The 50-km race starts Saturday at 7:30 am at the Gibson Jack Trailhead and has an 16.5 hour cutoff at midnight. Do not drive to the start. You must take the shuttle from Century High School.
The 21-mile race starts Saturday at 9:00 am at the Mink Creek Group Campground. Do not drive to the start. You must take the shuttle from Century High School.
Aid Station Table, Cutoffs, and Notes
Crew Driving Directions
Each runner is allowed one tag for a crew vehicle. Crew is only allowed for the 100-mile and 50-mile races; crew is not allowed for the 50-km or 21-mile races. The tag is available at race check-in. A tag is required at all aid stations where crew are allowed. See the aid station chart and notes for additional requirements at each aid station.
GPS coordinates of each crew-allowed location are at the end of these directions.
Century High School to Mink Creek Group Campground [15 min; 8.9 mi]
(100 mile check-in and pre-race briefing)
Leave the parking area and turn right onto S 5th Ave 0.9 mi
Turn right onto N Fort Hall Mine Rd 0.3 mi
Turn right onto W Portneuf Rd 1.3 mi
Bear left/straight then turn left onto S Mink Creek Rd 6.4 mi
Turn right into the campground (sign reads ‘Mink Creek Group Site’)
Mink Creek Group Campground to Lead Draw (100 mile start) [5 min; 2.4 m]
Turn left onto S Mink Creek Rd 1.6 mi
Turn right onto E Fork Mink Creek Rd 0.6 mi
Turn left onto Forest Rd 331
Destination on the left
Lead Draw to South Fork Rd Aid Station [14 min; 6.5 mi]
Turn right onto E Fork Mink Creek Rd 0.6 mi
Turn left onto S Mink Creek Rd 2.6 mi
Turn left onto S Fork Mink Creek Rd 3.3 mi
Limits: Crew for 50- and 100-milers are permitted but only one vehicle and crew member per runner is allowed. Vehicle permits are dispensed at check-in.
***The next crew-allowed aid station is Goodenough. It’s only 15 miles into the 100-mile race and requires 1.5 hours of driving. We recommend that crew and spectators NOT go to Goodenough. If you need to go, you can click on the Goodenough name/GPS coordinates on the aid station spreadsheet or at the end of this section to launch Google Maps.
South Fork Rd Aid Station to West Fork Aid Station [10 min; 4.0 mi]
Return the way you came in along S Fork Mink Creek Rd 3.3 mi
Turn right onto S Mink Creek Rd 0.8 mi
The aid station will be on your left.
Crew: West Fork aid station has limited parking. If the lot is full, please park at the turn onto South Fork Rd (0.8 mile above) and walk down. DO NOT PARK ON MINK CREEK ROAD.
West Fork Aid Station to Gibson Jack Aid Station [15 min; 9.4 mi]
From West Fork Aid Station, head north (toward Pocatello) on S Mink Creek Rd 6.4 mi
Continue onto Bannock Hwy 0.9 mi (the road bends left and becomes Bannock Hwy)
Turn left onto W Gibson Jack Rd 2.1 mi
Gibson Jack Aid Station to City Creek Aid Station [12 min (6.2 mi)
(City Creek Aid Station parking is at Centennial Park)
9812 Gibson Jack Rd, Pocatello, ID 83204
Return the way you came in 2.1 mi
Turn left onto Bannock Hwy 2.6 mi
Turn left onto S Grant Ave 0.5 mi
The speed limit on S Grant Ave is 25 mph
Bear right to stay on S Grant Ave 0.9 mi
Bear right onto Idaho Street 154 ft
Turn right into Centennial Park
Centennial Park to West Fork Aid Station [19 min; 11.3 mi]
Turn left onto Idaho St 154 ft
Turn left onto S Grant Ave 0.9 mi
Bear left to stay on S Grant Ave 0.5 mi
Turn right onto Bannock Hwy 6.7 mi
Continue onto S Mink Creek Rd 3.2 mi
The aid station will be on your right
Crew: West Fork aid station has limited parking. If the lot is full, please park at the turn onto South Fork Rd (0.8 mile above) and walk down. DO NOT PARK ON MINK CREEK ROAD.
West Fork Aid Station to Big Fir Aid Station [10 min; 5.0 mi]
Head north on S Mink Creek Rd toward Pocatello 1.9 mi
Turn right onto E Fork Mink Creek Rd (which becomes Forest Rd 001) 2.9 mi
Go straight/left onto rough dirt road at sign for Crestline Trail 0.3 mi
Park off the rough road and walk on to the aid station
Limits: Crew for runners in the 50-mile, and 100-mile races are permitted but only one vehicle and crew member per runner is allowed. Vehicle permits are dispensed at check-in. Use pull-outs along dirt road and walk in. Spectators are not permitted at Big Fir Aid Station. The crew member who goes to Big Fir may miss their runner finishing the race because it may take longer to get from Big Fir to Century High School and take the required shuttle to the finish area than it takes for your runner to cover the final ~6 miles, mostly downhill, of the race.
Big Fir Aid Station to Century High School [18 min; 10.4 mi]
DO NOT DRIVE TO THE FINISH AREA.
All crew and spectators must take a shuttle from Century High School to the finish area
Return the way you came in along the dirt road 0.3 mi
Turn right onto the paved road (Forest Rd 001 which becomes E Fork Mink Creek Rd) 2.9 mi
Turn right onto S Mink Creek Rd 4.5 mi
Turn right onto W Portneuf Rd to S 5th Ave 1.3 mi
Turn left N Fort Hall Mine Rd 0.3 mi
Turn left onto S 5th Ave 0.9 mi
Century High School will be on your left
GPS Locations of crew-allowed aid stations
Clicking on name/coordinates will launch Google Maps
Century High School 7801 West Diamond Back Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204
42°48'29.0"N 112°22'19.8"W 42.808060, -112.372166
Lead Draw
42°44'16.5"N 112°23'02.3"W 42.737917, -112.383958
Goodenough AS: we recommend not going to this aid station, it’s a 1.5 hr drive and only 15 miles into the 100 mile race
42°39'16.1"N 112°17'09.0"W. 42.654464, -112.285828
South Fork AS
42°40'08.4"N 112°24'27.6"W 42.669003, -112.407657
West Fork AS
42°43'23.3"N 112°25'08.7"W. 42.723126, -112.419075
Gibson Jack AS
42°47'34.4"N 112°25'53.1"W. 42.792879, -112.431425
City Creek AS (parking at Centennial Park)
42°51'13.2"N 112°26'45.9"W 42.853653, -112.446078
West Fork AS
42°43'23.3"N 112°25'08.7"W 42.723126, -112.419075
South Scout AS (100-milers ONLY)
42°41'20.3"N 112°21'34.1"W 42.68898, -112.35946
Big Fir AS
42°42'26.3"N 112°21'44.8"W 42.707302, -112.362453
Century High School 7801 West Diamond Back Drive, Pocatello, ID 83204
42°48'29.0"N 112°22'19.8"W 42.808060, -112.372166
Planned Foods at Aid Stations
All aid stations will have ice and Gu Energy products
Walker Creek: Candy, chips, coke, cookies, ginger ale, grapes, oranges, PBJ, pineapple, sprite
Goodenough: Bananas, brownies, chips, grapes, homemade monster cookies, oranges, pickles, soda, tortillas with peanut butter, honey & walnuts, soda
South Fork Rd: Bananas, bouillon (vegetable), chips, cookies, diced potatoes, grapes, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, oranges, PBJ sandwiches, pickles, pineapple, soda, soup, watermelon
West Fork: Bacon, bananas, bouillon (vegetable), candy, cheese, chips, coffee, cookies, hot chocolate, PBJ sandwiches, pickles, pineapple, potatoes, quesadillas, soda, soup, strawberries, tortilla wraps including meat and refried bean options
Gibson Jack: Bananas, bouillon (vegetable), chips, cookies, grapes, hot chocolate, oranges, oven baked pizza bites, PBJ sandwiches, pickles, pineapple, potatoes, soda, soup, strawberries
Cusick Creek: Bananas, bouillon (vegetable), candy, cheese, chips, coffee, cookies, diced potatoes, grapes, mashed potatoes, oranges, pickles, pineapple, soda, soup, tortillas
City Creek: Banana, bouillon (vegetable), candy, chips, coffee, cookies, grapes, hash browns, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, oranges, cinnamon rolls, PBJ sandwiches, peanuts, pickles, soda, soup, strawberries, watermelon
Elk Meadows: Bouillon (vegetable), candy, chips, coffee, cookies, diced potatoes, grapes, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, oranges, PBJ sandwiches, pickles, soda, soup, wraps with options of: avocado, cheese, refried beans, turkey, bacon, sausage
South Scout: Avocado, bacon, bananas, bouillon (vegetable), candy, cheese, chips, coffee, cookies, diced potatoes, hot chocolate, mashed potatoes, oranges, PBJ sandwiches, quesadillas, soda, strawberries, tortilla wraps including meat and refried bean options
Big Fir: Bananas, bouillon (vegetable), candy, chips, coffee, cookies, diced potatoes, grapes, oranges, PBJ, pickles, pierogies, pineapple, soda, soup, strawberries
Splits
The following charts are an estimate of split times at chip-timed aid stations for various finishing times; they are based on past SMU events.
No splits yet for the 50-km (2023 is its first year)
Crew
Crew access is one of the most challenging aspects of the race and our permit process. We understand the community aspect of crewing at ultras and will attempt to accommodate you. Crews must drive slowly and with caution, mountain roads are dangerous and will be crowded due to the race and other users. Crews disobeying the law or disrespectful to others will be asked to leave and their runner disqualified.
Crew vehicle tags:
100- and 50-mile runners will be given a crew access tag, one per runner, that must be displayed on the dash of the crew vehicle. If a runner is crewed by a non-permitted vehicle, they are subject to disqualification. Crewing is not permitted for the 50-km or 21-mile races but accommodations can be made if necessary; please speak to race management if you need an exception. Most of the race is on remote trails that are difficult or impossible to access in a car (which is why we like trail running right?).
Crew can see runners at the following aid stations ONLY:
Goodenough Creek. Crews must park at the additional parking at the entrance to the campground and walk in. It is less than 1/2 mile.
South Fork Road. Crew for 100- and 50-milers are permitted but only one vehicle and crew member per runner is allowed. Vehicle permits are dispensed at check-in.
West Fork. Parking is limited. Please park at either the Mink Creek Group Campground (0.5 mile before) or South Fork Road (0.8 mile after). DO NOT PARK ON MINK CREEK ROAD.
Gibson Jack (47.8). There is a large parking lot here, please do not block in other runners and use caution on the dirt road. Yield to runners as they enter and exit the aid station.
City Creek. The trailhead will be closed to traffic, please park at Centennial Park and walk up.
West Fork. Parking is limited. Please park at either the Mink Creek Group Campground (0.5 miles before the aid station) or South Fork Road (0.8 miles past the aid station). DO NOT PARK ON MINK CREEK ROAD.
Big Fir. Crew for 100- and 50-milers are permitted but only one vehicle and crew member per runner is allowed. Vehicle permits are dispensed at check-in. Use pull-outs along dirt road and walk in. It is 1/2 mile to walk from there to the aid station. Crew and spectators for 21-milers are not permitted at Big Fir aid station.