Race Info
GENERAL INFO
PREPARE FOR BATTLE!
The Y’allhalla Ultras has it all: waterfalls, boulder scrambles, riverbanks, bridges, and lakeside trails are just some of the features that make your journey to Y’allhalla an unforgettable Bluegrass experience.
The race is an out-and-back route along the Sheltowee Trace beginning and ending at the US Army Corps of Engineers Picnic Area at Laurel River Lake.
The race runs north-south through Laurel County, Kentucky along the banks of Laurel River Lake, past the natural arches of The Narrows, and through beautiful Sinking Creek!
Weekend Schedule
FRIDAY, June 7, 2024
No Friday Packet Pickup or Check In in 2024!
SATURDAY, June 8, 2024
6am-7:45am: Bib/Shirt Pickup, Drop Bag Drop Off (by 645), and Mandatory Check-In
7am: 50M Race Start
8am: 50K Race Start
10pm: Final cut-off for all racers
mandatory gear (All distances)
All runners must carry the following mandatory gear during the race. This is non-negotiable.
Capacity to carry water with you while on course (bottles or bladder). Minimum 20 ounces.
A headlamp with extra batteries will be required after 7:00 pm.
Cupless Race
All Next Opportunity Events races are cupless. Runners must carry their own cup or bottle for beverages at the aid stations. No cups will be available at aid stations or the finish line for runners. This applies to the finish line also. We will NOT have disposable cups for runners.
CREWs
50-mile runners may have crews at the Big Dog Aid Station only. No crew for 50K runners.
Crew Rules
Crew members should be kept to a minimum to manage crowd size.
Only 1 crew vehicle is permitted per runner.
Crews are NOT permitted to approach the aid station tent for food, water, or supplies.
Do not block driveways, roadways, or otherwise park in a way that will prohibit the free travel of other crews or emergency vehicles.
At the Big Dog Aid Station, please park at the top of the hill. DO NOT drive down the hill to the aid station itself.
Reference the COURSE section below for directions on how to get
Pacers
50-mile runners may have a pacer. 50K runners may not. 50 Miler pacers may join their runners at the Big Dog Aid Station at mile 33(ish).
PACER RULES
Only 1 pacer with each runner at a time. Multiple pacers per runner on the course at a time is not allowed.
Pacers do not need a pacer bib.
Pacers must clearly identify themselves as pacers at each aid station.
Pacers may not mule supplies for runners.
Pacers do not need to check in on race morning.
Pacers DO need to sign the race waiver (sent out via email on race week).
Drop Bags
In 2024, 50-Mile runners may have a drop bag at the Big Dog Aid Station (which you can access twice). No drop bags for 50K runners.
Drop Bag Guidelines
Drop bags must be kept to a reasonable size.
Only 1 drop bag per runner per aid station.
No rigid coolers or boxes.
Drop bags should be able to close securely. Race organizers and volunteers are not responsible for lost items.
Examples Of Good Drop Bags
1-gallon Ziploc/freezer bags
Drawstring bags or small drawstring backpacks
Examples Of Bad Drop Bags
Plastic coolers, totes, bins, or buckets
Shopping bags (they do not close securely!)
Duffle bags / large gym bags
Drop Bag Logistics
On race morning, all drop bags must be dropped off at least 15 minutes before the race starts!
Drop bags will be returned to the finish line by volunteers AFTER THE AID STATION HAS CLOSED DOWN. If you want your drop bag sooner you will need to drive to the aid station and pick it up yourself. Please reference aid station closing times (in the COURSE section below) to estimate when each drop bag may be returned.
NOTE: As our aid stations cannot close down until all runners are accounted for, we cannot guarantee a specific drop bag return time.
REMINDER: Per our policy, drop bags left at the race after the race has ended will be discarded. We will not keep or ship drop bags to runners under any circumstances. PLEASE PICK UP YOUR DROP BAGS!
Spectators
Spectators are only permitted at the finish line at Sheltowee Camp. Unfortunately, due to parking restrictions, we cannot allow non-crew spectators anywhere else at the race including trail access locations and aid stations. Only race staff, volunteers, and support crews will be permitted at aid stations.
Course Info
50 MILE COURSE INFO
Miles: 52*
Ascent: 7,500*
Descent: 7,500*
Aid Stations: 7
50K COURSE INFO
Miles: 32*
Ascent: 4,000*
Descent: 4,000*
Aid Stations: 4
**Printable PDFs, downloadable GPS files, and elevation profiles can be generated with CalTopo using the links to the interactive maps above.
Aid Stations
For aid station information including GPS coordinates for crew, cut offs, and more please click the link below.
Location (UPDATED!)
The race will start and finish at the Laurel River Lake day use picnic area. Exact location is below. We will be set up at the large picnic shelter at the back of the picnic area next to the volleyball courts…RIGHT ON THE LAKE!
Parking
Please park along the side of the road as directed by our volunteer attendants. Do not block any picnic sites. Do not block the road.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Laurel River Lake Picnic Area
London, KY 40744
Race Rules
All registered participants must abide by the Next Opportunity Events Race Participation Policy. Click the button below to review the Race Participation Policy and associated race rules.
Here are a few key race rules we need to point out:
NO PETS. Please tell your friends/family to leave dogs at home. No pets permitted at the race.
All cut-off times will be strictly enforced for all runners. Beginning at the halfway point at Sheltowee Camp (100 Milers only) all cut-off times will be firm cut-offs. That means you will not be pulled for missing a cut-off in the first half of the race. Prior to that, all cut-offs are soft cut-offs. For 50 Milers, ALL aid station cut-offs are firm, hard cut-offs. No exceptions. Any runner not OUT of an aid station before the exact firm cut-off time will be pulled from the race. Any runner not across the finish line before the overall cut-off time will be a DNF. 100 Mile runners missing a soft cut-off will not be pulled from the race, but they will be warned to pick up the pace in order to meet the later cut-offs.
Runners may NOT receive any aid from anyone else between aid stations (all runners). This includes crews at any location not designated as an official crew point. Muling by pacers is strictly prohibited.
Crews are limited to one vehicle per runner at every aid station. The exception to this rule is at the start and finish line.
FAQ
+ What is at the aid station?
Aid stations will have the basics: water, Gatorade, fruits, some sweet snacks, and some salty snacks. All runners acknowledge that the organizer's responsibility is to provide food and nutrition that is adequate to keep the runner hydrated and sustained. Organizers are under no obligation to provide food at aid stations that fit the runner's personal preferences, tastes, or dietary restrictions.
Aid station volunteers may choose to cook food at their own discretion.
+ Do I still get a finisher's award if I make all the aid station cut offs but miss the finish line cut off?
No, sorry. Anyone not across the finish line by 10pm is not an official finisher.
+ Are there restrooms on the course?
There will be portable toilets available at the Big Dog aid stations.
+ Are there any water crossings?
Yes. A lot.
Lodging
Sheltowee Camp
OUR RACE IS NO LONGER HELD AT SHELTOWEE CAMP!
2024 runners who purchased lodging at the Sheltowee Camp through Next Opportunity Events will be able to keep their existing reservations. Sheltowee Camp will honor those existing reservations. Those runners will receive check in details from Sheltowee Camp.
London, Kentucky
There are many lodging options in the nearby city of London, Kentucky. Click the button below to see some of them!
Corbin, Kentucky
Click the link below to see some of the great accommodation options available in nearby Corbin, Kentucky!
