Run and Write | Jeremy Criddle

Mohican Trail 100 Race Guide

When It Is Run

The Mohican Trail 100 takes place annually on the first weekend of June, typically on Saturday morning. The 2025 race was held on May 31st and June 1st, with the 100-mile race starting at 5:00 AM on Saturday morning. This timing places the race during Ohio’s late spring season when temperatures can reach into the 80s and humidity levels climb significantly throughout the day. The race has maintained this early summer schedule consistently for over three decades, making it one of the most established ultra-marathons in the United States.

How to Qualify or Register

Registration for the Mohican Trail 100 operates on a first-come, first-served basis with no qualification requirements. The race opens registration through RunReg.com and UltraSignup, with early bird pricing typically ranging from $95 to $225 depending on when you register. Discounted fees are available until approximately mid-May, after which late registration fees apply until the deadline, usually two days before race day. The 100-mile race consistently sells out due to its popularity and reputation as one of the oldest ultra-marathons in America, so early registration is essential. Packet pickup occurs on Friday evening from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the start/finish area, with additional pickup available on Saturday morning from 6:00 to 7:00 AM.

Particular Challenges

The Mohican Trail 100 presents unique challenges that make it one of the more demanding 100-mile trail races in the Midwest. The course features approximately 11,000 to 12,500 feet of total elevation gain over rolling hills that constantly challenge different muscle groups throughout the race. Technical terrain includes significant sections of roots, rocks, and narrow single track that demand constant attention to footing, especially during night sections when sleep deprivation can affect focus. The infamous “Wall” at Little Lyons Falls requires a hand-over-hand climb up exposed sandstone and tree roots, adding a unique scrambling element to the race. Weather conditions can vary dramatically from start to finish, with potential for high humidity, thunderstorms, and temperatures exceeding 85 degrees Fahrenheit by race day afternoon. The course’s winding nature through dense forest can be mentally challenging as runners feel like they’re not making forward progress despite covering significant mileage.

Course Format

The Mohican Trail 100 follows a multi-loop format consisting of four distinct loops of varying lengths that total approximately 100 miles. The course begins with two longer loops followed by two shorter loops, creating a unique structure that differs from many other 100-mile races. The first loop includes a special section through Little Lyons Ravine that is only accessible during the race due to dense vegetation, featuring the challenging “Wall” climb. The second loop mirrors the first but excludes the ravine section, replacing it with a brief out-and-back segment. The final two loops are identical shorter circuits that include a shortcut between the Fire Tower and Covered Bridge areas. This format provides runners with aid station support at Mohican Adventures (the start/finish) and Covered Bridge approximately every 12-15 miles, creating natural psychological checkpoints throughout the race.

Elevation Profile

The Mohican Trail 100 features a deceptively challenging elevation profile with 11,000 to 12,500 feet of total elevation gain and loss over rolling terrain. The highest point on the course reaches approximately 1,430 feet above sea level, while the lowest point drops to around 919 feet, creating a total elevation range of over 500 feet. Unlike mountain races with sustained climbs, Mohican presents constant rolling hills with numerous shorter, steeper ascents that accumulate significant vertical gain throughout the race. The course includes several sustained climbs in each loop, with some steep sections that require hiking even for experienced trail runners. The elevation changes are particularly challenging in the section between Covered Bridge and Hickory Ridge, which features some of the steepest and longest climbs on the course. The rolling nature means runners never get extended flat recovery sections, making pacing and energy management crucial for success.

Terrain Breakdown

The Mohican Trail 100 runs approximately 95% on trail surfaces, making it one of the more technical trail races in the ultra-marathon calendar. The terrain breakdown consists primarily of single-track dirt trails (approximately 65-70%), with additional sections of gravel roads, dirt roads, and brief paved highway crossings. The trail surfaces include significant root and rock sections that require careful foot placement, especially in technical areas around gorges and creek crossings. Runners encounter muddy conditions frequently, particularly after rain, as the course winds through dense forest areas that retain moisture. The course includes one river crossing at Clearfork River during the first loop, where runners wade thigh-deep across approximately 50 feet of water. Horse trail sections make up a portion of the course, which can become particularly messy with mud and horse droppings after wet weather. The trail weaves through beautiful but challenging terrain including hemlock groves, pine forests, and scenic gorges that add to the technical nature of the course.

Time Limit & Cutoffs

The Mohican Trail 100 implements a generous 32-hour time limit for all participants to complete the full 100-mile distance. Unlike many other 100-mile races, Mohican does not impose strict intermediate cutoff times at individual aid stations, allowing runners more flexibility in their pacing strategy throughout the race. This policy extends to the shorter distance races as well, with the 50-mile race starting at 6:00 AM (one hour after the 100-mile start) giving participants 31 hours to finish, and the marathon starting at 8:00 AM providing 29 hours to complete the course. The aid stations remain open for the duration of the 100-mile race, which benefits all distance participants and creates a welcoming environment for slower runners who might struggle with tighter cutoff requirements at other events. The race maintains a relatively low finish rate, with only about 45% of 100-mile starters completing the full distance, which demonstrates the challenging nature of the course despite the generous time allowance. This approach makes Mohican particularly attractive to first-time 100-mile runners and those who prefer hiking portions of ultra-marathons without the pressure of strict intermediate deadlines.

Aid Stations

The Mohican Trail 100 features two primary aid stations that serve runners multiple times throughout the race due to its unique loop structure. The main aid station at Mohican Adventures serves as both the start/finish location and is visited after completing each loop, providing complete crew access and drop bag services. The second aid station at Covered Bridge (also called Hickory Ridge) is located approximately 12-15 miles into each loop and offers full food, water, and medical supplies without crew access. Both aid stations are fully stocked with traditional ultra-marathon fare including water, electrolyte drinks, soda, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cut fruit like bananas and oranges, cookies, trail mix, and chips. The aid stations also provide essential medical supplies such as band-aids, toenail clippers, athletic tape, and basic first aid equipment for runner care. Drop bags can be placed at the Mohican Adventures aid station, which is particularly useful since runners return there after each loop to resupply and potentially change gear or receive crew support.

Mandatory Gear

The Mohican Trail 100 has relatively minimal mandatory gear requirements compared to many other ultra-marathon events, focusing primarily on basic safety equipment. All runners must carry adequate hydration capacity during the race, though specific minimum requirements vary by conditions and aren’t strictly enforced like some mountain races. Head lamps are mandatory for the 100-mile distance since the race extends well into the night hours, with most runners finishing after dark. A whistle is required for emergency signaling purposes, which is standard for trail ultra-marathons to alert others in case of injury or emergency situations. The race organization encourages runners to carry basic first aid supplies, rain protection, and extra nutrition, but these items are generally recommended rather than strictly mandatory. Pacers who join runners during later portions of the race must also carry the same mandatory equipment and are responsible for their own safety gear and supplies.

Crew & Pacing

Crew access at the Mohican Trail 100 is limited to the main aid station at Mohican Adventures, which serves as the start/finish area and primary crew support location. Crews cannot access the Covered Bridge aid station, meaning runners must be self-sufficient for the 13-15 mile sections between crew contact points. Pacers are allowed to join runners starting after approximately 50 miles, with a small fee of $10 per pacer to account for additional aid station supplies. The race permits pacers to run with participants through the final portions of the race, which is particularly valuable during the challenging night sections when mental support becomes crucial. Vehicle access for crews is straightforward since the main aid station is easily accessible by car with adequate parking, though crews should plan for potentially long waits between runner visits to the station. The race organization encourages runners to be as self-sufficient as possible by utilizing drop bags at the main aid station rather than relying solely on crew support.

Navigation

The Mohican Trail 100 course is marked using a comprehensive system of painted arrows on dirt surfaces, colored confidence ribbons, and directional signage at key decision points. The race organizers use bright orange painted arrows on pavement sections and orange ribbons throughout the trail system to provide consistent directional guidance. Unlike some trail races that rely on hanging ribbons that can be removed, Mohican primarily uses durable painted markings that remain visible throughout the race weekend. Course markings are color-coded by section to help runners understand which loop they’re currently completing, though GPS devices are not required since the marking system is generally reliable. Race organizers conduct course proofing before the event to ensure all markings are visible and replace any signs that may have been stolen or damaged. The dense forest sections can make navigation challenging at night, but the combination of painted arrows, ribbons, and signage provides adequate guidance for runners who pay attention to the marking system.

Finish Rates

The Mohican Trail 100 has historically maintained one of the lower finish rates among 100-mile trail races, with completion percentages typically ranging from 45% to 55%. The 2024 race saw a particularly challenging year with only 45% of starters completing the full 100-mile distance, which reflects the race’s reputation for difficulty. In 2021, the race had 103 finishers out of approximately 200 starters, resulting in roughly a 50% completion rate that year. The challenging finish rate stems from multiple factors including the technical terrain, rolling elevation profile, humid conditions, and mental demands of the four-loop format. Weather conditions significantly impact finish rates, with years featuring high heat, humidity, or rain typically seeing lower completion percentages. The race’s demanding nature has earned it a reputation among ultra-runners as a legitimate test of endurance and mental toughness, with many considering simply finishing to be a significant achievement regardless of time.

Special Features

The Mohican Trail 100 offers several unique awards and special features that distinguish it from other ultra-marathon events. All 100-mile finishers receive the coveted Mohican belt buckle, which has become a prized possession among ultra-runners due to the race’s challenging reputation. The race presents a special “Last of the Mohicans” award to the final finisher who completes the 100-mile distance within the 32-hour time limit, celebrating perseverance over speed. This unique award recognizes that crossing the finish line at Mohican represents a significant achievement regardless of finishing position. The race maintains course records for both men and women, with the current men’s record standing at 14:25:03 set by Courtney Campbell in 1999, while women’s records are tracked separately. The race features a Western States qualifier status, making it attractive to runners seeking entry into that prestigious event. The post-race celebration includes traditional ultra-marathon community elements with food, awards ceremony, and opportunities for runners to share their race experiences with fellow participants.

Previous Winners

Recent Mohican Trail 100 champions include notable ultra-marathon athletes who have conquered the challenging Ohio course. The current course record holder is Courtney Campbell, who established the men’s record of 14:25:03 in 1999, a time that has stood for over two decades. Other notable past winners include Arlen Glick in 2021, Joe Hildebrand, and Jim Garcia, all of whom have posted sub-15-hour finishing times. The race has attracted both regional and national-level ultra-runners over its three-decade history, with many considering a Mohican victory to be among the more challenging achievements in Midwest ultra-running. Women’s course records and recent winners are maintained separately, though specific recent women’s champions weren’t detailed in available race results. The race’s reputation for difficulty means that winners often post relatively slower times compared to other 100-mile events, reflecting the technical terrain and challenging conditions rather than lack of competitive depth.

Official Contact Info

The Mohican Trail 100 is organized by the Ohio Mountain Bike Championship Races (OMBC) organization, with the race director contactable at nolimit@mohican.net. The race headquarters is located at Mohican Adventures in Loudonville, Ohio 44842, which also serves as the primary race venue and finish line location. For phone contact, the race organization can be reached at (419) 989-0239 during business hours. Registration and race information is available through multiple online platforms including RunReg.com and UltraSignup, though the official race website through OMBC provides the most current details. The race organization operates out of the same location that hosts the annual Mohican Mountain Bike 100, sharing resources and organizational expertise between the cycling and running events. Potential participants with specific questions about course conditions, registration status, or race logistics should contact the race director directly through the provided email address rather than attempting to reach them through third-party registration platforms.