A flat, fast point-to-point journey down the historic Hennepin Canal towpath across rural northern Illinois — a Western States 100 qualifier every year since 2019, and one of the best shots in the country at a personal-best 100-mile time.
Quick facts
- Location: Sinnissippi Park, Sterling, IL (start) to Colona Fire Department, Colona, IL (finish)
- Date: October 3, 2026, 7:00 AM start
- Distance: 100 miles, point-to-point along the Hennepin Canal
- Website: hennepinhundred.com
- Contact: dirtrunner100@yahoo.com — RD Michele Hartwig, Ornery Mule Racing
- Registration: Via UltraSignup. A Western States 100 qualifier every year since 2019, with a $750 prize for breaking either course record.
Course description
A point-to-point course that follows the flat, hard-packed towpath of the Hennepin Canal State Trail west across rural northern Illinois, from Sinnissippi Park in Sterling to the Colona Fire Department in Colona. The route crosses the canal’s historic locks and lift bridges and runs past autumn corn and soybean fields, small farms, and small towns, with the canal itself as a near-constant companion. Around the middle of the course, roughly miles 44 to 69, the route makes a there-and-back spur before continuing one-way to the finish — the reason several aid stations carry dual numbers (such as “7/15” and “8/14”) marking both the outbound and return passes. There is essentially no meaningful elevation change anywhere on the course.
Elevation change
Approximately 2,000 feet of cumulative gain per course rating — flat even by ultrarunning standards, and a major reason the race has become a fast-time and Western States-qualifying favorite.
Aid stations
20 numbered aid stations along the towpath, spaced roughly every 5 miles, each with a station captain, water, and food; crew access rules and GPS coordinates are posted for each on the race’s aid-station page. Pacers are permitted starting at aid station 10 (mile 47.5) for the remainder of the course.
Special conditions & average temps
Early October in northern Illinois typically brings cool mornings and mild afternoons, with autumn color along the canal and open exposure across farmland where wind and sun can be a factor in the open stretches. Conditions are generally far more forgiving than the summer 100-milers out west, which is part of the race’s appeal as a fast-time destination.
Recent results — top 3, men & women
2025
- Men: 1. Jim Sweeney 13:47:02 · 2. Zach Ziesemer 14:31:34 · 3. Wyatt Bricker 15:44:54
- Women: 1. Denise Bourassa 18:09:26 · 2. Melissa Quinn 18:38:11 · 3. Gibson Kelley 18:56:47
2024
- Men: 1. Reese Slobodianuk 13:14:56 · 2. Brian Martin 14:29:43 · 3. Andy Markevicus 16:15:35
- Women: 1. Wendy Krause 19:10:01 · 2. Brittney Yuronich 19:46:55 · 3. Dee Brandes 20:03:20
2023
- Men: 1. Taggart Vanetten 12:45:59 · 2. Chris Stayman 13:09:43 · 3. Juan Moran 15:09:45
- Women: 1. Rachel Ragona 14:37:05 · 2. Lauren Mitchell 16:04:21 · 3. Sarah Sandborn 17:42:24
Registration deadline & how to get in
Registration is handled through UltraSignup; check the race site for the current field cap and opening date. No qualifying race is required to enter, but Hennepin Hundred itself has been a Western States 100 qualifier every year since 2019, making it a popular target for runners chasing that lottery ticket on a fast, flat course.
Traveling to this race? Find lodging near the venue via Hotels.com.