Lean Horse Ultra Marathon route map
raceindex.org has a GPS course file for Lean Horse Ultra Marathon, so runners can inspect the route line on the map. Elevation charts and ascent figures appear only when that file includes usable elevation data.
Lean Horse Ultra Marathon Ultramarathon
This race edition
- Race date
- Date not confirmed for this distance
- Race timezone
- Timezone not confirmed
- Edition status
- Status not confirmed
Entry options
2026 edition
Entry options are not yet confirmed for this edition. Check the organiser before making plans.
Modelled energy-cost change 1.3% versus flat · net elevation 10 m
Decision summary
Lean Horse Ultra Marathon Ultramarathon at a glance
- Route ascent
- 1,791 m
- Cut-off average pace
- 11:56/km
- Typical conditions
- 57/100
- Evidence depth
- 38 verified facts
Lower than 61% of comparable mapped races
32:00:00 total limit divided by distance. Check gun/chip timing and intermediate limits; allow time for stops.
Historical race-date favourability, not a forecast
Stored GPS route
Quick answers
What runners ask first
How hilly is the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon?
The Lean Horse Ultra Marathon route has 1,791 m of ascent, 1,781 m of descent and an estimated 1.3% grade-adjusted pace penalty versus a flat route.
Where does the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon route go?
The Lean Horse Ultra Marathon route starts at Custer YMCA (100 Mile); Custer Football/Track Complex (50/30/20 Mile) and finishes at Custer, South Dakota. Underfoot, expect crushed limestone (former railroad bed). It passes George S. Mickelson Trail, Black Hills, Hill City and Custer.
What should runners know on race day for the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon?
Pacers allowed on the 100 Mile race for the final 50 miles only; not permitted for shorter distances.
Race character
Scenery
- Countryside
- Waterfront
- Forest
- Mountain
- Riverside
Atmosphere
- Wilderness
- Scenic Tour
- Community
Terrain
- Gravel
- Trail
- Elevation character
- Gently Rolling
- Technicality
- Non Technical
- Source-stated ascent
- 2,183 m
- Net elevation
- 0 m
The stored route produces 1,791 m of ascent, while a source states 2,183 m. GPS sampling and elevation models can produce different totals, so both are labelled rather than combined.
Entry, logistics and records
Records and field
- Field size
- Caps: 100 Mile 125, 50 Mile 100, 30 Mile 100, 20 Mile 100, plus Black Hills CrossFit Edition (40 singles, 40 teams of 3, 20 teams of 6)
- Field cap
- 125
Entry requirements
- Entry status
- Past event: The listed edition date has passed.
- Cut-off
- 100 Mile 32 hours; 50 Mile 15 hours; 30 and 20 Mile 12 hours. Finish line cut-off Saturday 8:00 PM.
- Qualification status
- No qualifying time required to enter; entry is open until distance caps are reached.
Race day logistics
- Pacers
- Pacers allowed on the 100 Mile race for the final 50 miles only; not permitted for shorter distances.
- Medal
- Awards for the 20M, 30M, 50M and 100M events are handed out upon finishing.
Access and course status
- Start
- Custer YMCA (100 Mile); Custer Football/Track Complex (50/30/20 Mile)
- Finish
- Custer, South Dakota
Course facts
- Course type
- Out And Back
- Surface
- Crushed limestone (former railroad bed)
- Landmarks
- George S. Mickelson Trail, Black Hills, Hill City, Custer
- Notable features
- Billed as one of the best non-technical 100-mile courses in the United States
- was the 33rd sanctioned 100-mile race in the U.S
- Aid stations spaced 5 to 8 miles apart
- each aid station has a permanent bathroom or port-a-potty
How hilly is the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon Ultramarathon?
- Steep descent 3%
- Descent 19%
- Flat 57%
- Climb 19%
- Steep climb 3%
- Total ascent
- 1,791 m
- Net elevation
- +10 m
- GAP factor
- 1.3%
- Longest climb
- 2,480 m at 3.2%
What are typical race-day conditions?
- 21°CTypical temperature
- 16 kphTypical wind
- 3 mmTypical rainfall
- 57Favourability /100
More race details
Is the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon flat?
Its normalised GAP factor is 1.3% slower than a flat course, with about 1791 m of total ascent.