Please check back often as this is a living document and is getting updated as we make progress in creating the race!
Badlands Race Series
Event Details
The Badlands 50K and 100K take place entirely within the scenic Island Lake Recreation Area, winding through its extensive trail network. All three races start and finish at the same hub, with the 100K runners taking on two full loops of the 50K course for the ultimate challenge. Badlands is primarily a night race with the 50K and 100K participants starting at 10pm and running to dawn and into the day. An additional 50K taking place during the daytime will start at dawn.
Participant and Race Details
Race 1 – Overnight 50K: Starts at 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 (9 Hours)
Race 2 – Overnight 100K: Starts at 10:00 PM on Saturday, May 16th, 2026 (18 Hours)
Race 3 – Daytime 50K: Starts at 7 AM on Sunday, May 17th, 2026 (9 Hours)
Prize Purse
There are two competitive divisions: Women’s and Open.
Women compete in the Women’s division.
Everyone else competes in Open.
If you’re a guy thinking about racing in the women’s division because you like your chances better… congratulations, you’ve discovered how to get disqualified.
For qualification standards, check the Runner’s Guide or reach out if you’re unsure.
Night 50K Prize Purse
Total: $2,250
Each Division (Open & Women’s)
• 1st – $750
• 2nd – $250
• 3rd – $125
Night 100K Prize Purse
Total: $4,500
Each Division (Open & Women’s)
• 1st – $1,500
• 2nd – $500
• 3rd – $250
Course Record Bonus
We’re also offering an additional $500 bonus to any first-place finisher who breaks the course record.
Since this is the first year, the winners automatically set the record… which means yes, the first winners have a shot at that bonus.
Not a bad deal.
Altra Shoe - Sponsor Giveaway
Originally we were going to give the six first place winners in each race/field a free pair of Altras. Then we realized they’re already walking away with a pretty decent chunk of cash.
So instead, we’re raffling the shoes off to the entire field. Thanks, Mike!!
Congratulations — you now have roughly the same odds as everyone else to walk away with some free stuff.
Daybreak 50K
The Sunday morning 50K is our fun run.
No prize purse. Just miles, trails, and bragging rights.
The Fine Print
If something about a result looks fishy — course cutting, racing in the wrong division, doping, or any other nonsense — we reserve the right to hold the prize money until things are cleared up. If it turns out our concerns were valid, we reserve the right to withdraw that prize money entirely. The prize purse is Blackwood’s money, which means Blackwood decides if, when, and how it gets handed out. This isn’t something we owe, it’s a gift if we so choose to give it.
If everything is legit, great. Everyone gets paid and we all go home happy.
If not… well… we keep the money and spend it on stupid things like food and water for next year’s race.
Questions about the prize purse that aren’t covered in the Runner’s Guide?
Email Ian@blackwoodracing.com before race day so we can sort it out. What he says goes.
