Spirit of Syllamo is a tough race intended to be one of the more challenging races in Arkansas.

There are 3 distance options:

100 Miles - This is a graduate level course. We have had first time 100 mile runners finish but do not come to this thinking you can slog through. This course will beat you down unless you’re tough enough.

38 Miles - Much like the 100 mile route, this is a hard course. This is doable for beginners but can humble a veteran.

Misty Mornings Arkansas Cabins and RV Sites

309 Riverview Trail

Norfork, AR 72658

Onsite camping available, call 870-405-2620

Numerous other local options if spaces are full. See Camping/Lodging

Friday, 3pm - 6pm at

Norfork Adventure Supply.

13912 Highway 5 South

Norfork, AR 72658

This is 5 minutes from race start.

or

Race morning at 5:15am.

Note: dropbags and bibs are race morning. Not on Friday.

-Misty Mornings

-Norfork River Resort

-VRBOs

RV/Camper sites, cabins, and primitive camping available at start/finish. Please contact Misty Mornings for reservations.

Resorts, hotels, and RV sites are plentiful in the immediate area if Misty Mornings has no vacancy. All runners will have options within a 5 to 20 minute drive.

If you are unable to find something in Norfork, search for something in Mountain Home Arkansas.

There are several local restaurants within a 5 minute drive. All will be locally owned and greatly appreciate your patronage.

We have several recommendations in the city of Mountain Home, just 15 minutes north of the race.

Happy to make suggestions on race weekend.

Saturday: At the large pavilion at Misty Mornings on Norfork River Road - You do not get your bib if you do not toe the line.

100 Mile and 38 Mile

5:15-5:45am - Bib Handout.

5:45am - Final announcements

6:00am - 100m and 35m Races begin.

38 Mile - 12.5hrs.

100 Mile - 34hrs.

Detailed aid station cut-off times in runner’s packet for the 100m and 38m.

You must LEAVE aid stations by cutoff. If cutoff is 9am, you must be moving and on course by 9:01am or you are out.

If you clear the last aid station but finish after cutoff, we still count that as a finish. And hope you come back to finish under cutoff next year ;-)

100 Mile Route Link

38 Mile Route Link

This area is steep and punchy. Expect most devices to record an average of 175 feet of gain per mile.

Expect the course to feel more like 200+ feet of gain per mile. Many of our hills are too short and punchy for altimeters to record elevation accurately.

The race starts approximately 390 feet above sea level. The highest point of the race is approximately 1,500 feet above sea level.

100 Mile Runners Only

We provide an independent Crew Packet PDF with full instructions.

Downloads are on this webpage above.

It is in your interests to print both the Runner’s and Crew Packets. You might not have enough internet reception on your phone to access once you are here.

100M Runners Only

Pacers may start at Moccasin Springs, mile 37ish.

Runners 60 and older may have pacers from the start.

Details on pacing sections are discussed in the runners packet.

We hang ribbons from tree branches. We try to hang them just below eye level.

We rarely use ground flags. You can’t put a flag into rock and most of our terrain is rock. We’ve tried. It doesn’t work.

There are no barricades to prevent you from going off course.

If you are prone to missing turns, we highly recommend learning and using GPX.

Problem turns / easy to miss turns are heavily marked with arrows and large ground signs. These are highly visible.

Terrain:

Highly diverse single and double track trails. This area is rugged, rocky, steep, and densely forested. Expect a wide variety of constantly changing terrain throughout the race.

Water Crossings:

We have dozens of creek crossings. Most of the time you can cross all of them without getting feet wet.

Even in high rain, we have never been concerned for safety. These are small, shallow crossings.

The 100m has 3 larger crossings that are difficult to cross dry but doable in low water.

The 38m has 1 crossing that might have water if there has been recent rain.

Winter in Arkansas is usually the best time of year to run in the Ozarks. Weather can be wildly different and unpredictable but it is often quite nice.

Use “Norfork, AR” as your location on a weather App.

Race Day History:

Hi/Lo temps in degrees Fahrenheit.

Dec. 11th, 2021 - 50/18, frost at night

Dec. 10th, 2022 - 48/42, daytime rain, intermittent night fog

Dec. 9th, 2023 - 60/35, slight rain for the first few miles

Dec. 14th, 2024 - 55/37, heavy rain throughout the 35m. Heavy fog through the night. (Conditions were tough this year).

Dec. 13th, 2025 - 40/12, partially overcast, 20mph sustained wind, 80% humidity. Extremely cold on top of ridges but sheltered from wind through most of the course.

Please use the runners packets for additional information.

1). Misty Mornings - Start / Finish

3). Twin Creek Aid

5). Cripple Turkey Trailhead - 38 Mile Turnaround

6). Barkshed Camp Pavilion

7). Moccasin Springs Trailhead

8). Spring Creek Road - 100 Mile Turnaround

Standard Syllamo Events Menu:

Hydration: Electrolyte mix, ginger ale, Coca-Cola, and water

Sports Nutrition: various gels or chews - these have been the least popular at this event so we don’t rely very heavily on these.

Solid and cooked foods have been the most popular items at this event:

Solid Foods: Sandwiches, fruit, pickles, chips, candy (hard and/or chocolate)

Cooked/Warm Foods: Commonly prepared by our wonderful volunteers.

Note: Our aid stations are always well stocked and runners can expect the same items at each location. Specific brands could vary.

We do not supply NSAIDS or other pain relievers.

Every aid stations will have basic first aid.

A final pre-race email is always sent and will address any significant changes.

100m and 38m distances

Small/carry on size drop bags. We will not transport large duffels.

Bags must be labeled with name and drop location.

‍ ‍ We might transport bags in 1 vehicle to multiple locations. If not properly labeled, they are delivered to the first location. They will not be further transported to another location.

Drop bags are returned to Misty Mornings (Start/Finish) after the aid station is broken down.

38m Bags properly labeled are transported back to Misty Mornings after the last 38m runner clears Cripple Turkey.

For faster runners and drops, please consider your bag might be at an aid station until the end of the event. Some locations are treacherous to drive to. We do not permit crews to access certain locations unless it is to retrieve a runner who has dropped from the race. Please do not drive to locations to retrieve a bag unless it is a designated crew location. This is for safety and prevention of a vehicle getting stuck.

All runners may enjoy a warm post race meal. Additional meals may be purchased for family/friends during registration.

We hope for beautiful weather and a lively crowd cheering on runners. Plan to stick around and join the festivities!

All of our events are low waste, low trash events. We do not provide plates, bowls, cups, or flatware.

100 Mile finishers receive a belt buckle and laser engraved plaque.

38 Mile finishers receive a laser engraved coaster.

Overall awards for all distances are an engraved plaque.

Masters is ages 40 to 59.

Grandmasters is 60+.

Laser engraved awards have become a staple at many of our events, allowing for a race series collection. All laser awards designed and produced by Rusty Harvey.

Want to see more examples of awards? Check out our full photo album with the link below.

https://flickr.com/photos/192403828@N07/albums

100M Distance:

Dec 2021 - 57.1%

Dec 2022 - 63.6%

Dec 2023 - 53.3%

Dec 2024 - 25.0% - tough weather year

Dec 2025 - 56.5%

We typically check emails during our store hours Tuesday-Friday, 10-5:30.

Please check our website, runners packets, and Policies/FAQs before emailing us.

If you cannot find the answer you need, please email Jake and Rusty at syllamoevents@gmail.com