The Endless Mile
6 Hour, 12 Hour, 24 Hour, 48 Hour or 72 Hour Race
October 23rd through 26th, 2025
The 2025 Endless Mile Race
Thursday, October 23rd through the 26th
The 72 Hour race will start Thursday, October 23rd at 9:00 AM.
The 48 Hour will start Friday at 9:00 AM.
The 6, 12 & 24 hour races will start Saturday at 9:00 AM.
All runners receive finisher medals.
You may choose to start your 6, 12 or 24 hour race Friday if you prefer. Please let us know in advance.
There is no registration at the race. Registration on Ultrasignup closes Monday, October 20th a 11:59 PM.
THE RACE
Have you ever wondered just how far you could run in 6 hours, 12 hours or 24 hours or maybe even 48 or 72 hours on a smooth, level surface? Well, here is your chance. The Endless Mile will be held at Veteran's Park in Alabaster, Alabama in Mid-October. The park is 26 miles south of downtown Birmingham, and 16 miles south of I-459. The address of the park is 7305 Highway 119, Alabaster, AL 35007. The course is USATF Certified and Sanctioned. It is a fraction over a mile in length, 1.00203 miles to be exact. Runners will circle the paved and lighted path as many times as they can in the allotted time. The event will be electronically chip timed, instantly recording and displaying the exact distance covered. Run the race solo or start a relay team. (There is no official Relay, but you are welcome to run the race with a few friends. Details below. ) Either way, Endless Mile will be an experience you will never forget. Solo runners who reach 100 miles will receive a 100 mile buckle. Solo runners who reach 200 mile receive a 200 mile buckle. Check out the image below.
What's It Really Like? The Multi-Day Experience
Running for 24, 48, or 72 hours isn't just about physical endurance—it's a journey through multiple sunrises, unexpected friendships, and discovering what you're truly capable of.
The Rhythm of Multi-Day Running As day turns to night and back to day again, you'll find your own rhythm. The course transforms with each passing hour—misty mornings give way to blazing afternoons, peaceful starlit laps become sunrise celebrations. You'll experience the park in ways day visitors never imagine.
The 3 AM Brotherhood (and Sisterhood) There's something magical about 3 AM on a multi-day race. The world shrinks to just the beam of your headlamp, the sound of footsteps, and the occasional greeting from fellow night owls. Conversations at this hour are different—more honest, more philosophical, sometimes more absurd. You'll make friends you'll remember forever.
The Mental Game Around hour 20, your brain starts negotiating. By hour 30, you're having full debates with yourself. By hour 40? You've transcended normal thought patterns entirely. This is where the real race happens—not against other runners, but with yourself. And when you keep going anyway? That's where the magic lives.
Direction Changes - A Gift in Disguise Every 6 hours, we reverse direction on the course. What seems like a small detail becomes a major mental boost. Suddenly, you're seeing familiar faces head-on instead of from behind. The slight change in how your feet strike the pavement gives different muscles a break. It's like starting fresh without actually stopping.
Why Run in Circles? The Unexpected Beauty of a Loop Course
You're Never Alone Unlike point-to-point ultras where you might not see another soul for hours, here you're part of a constant, flowing community. Every lap brings encouragement, familiar faces, and the chance to check in on your new trail family.
Always Close to Help Your aid station (ours and yours) is never more than a few hundred yards away. Twisted ankle? Bathroom emergency? Need to completely change clothes? You're minutes from solutions, not hours.
Witness Everyone's Journey You'll watch the 6-hour sprinters fly by, cheer for the 24-hour warriors hitting 100 miles, and draw inspiration from the 72-hour athletes who've been out there since Thursday morning. Every story intersects on this one-mile loop.
Mental Games Become Fun Count laps, don't count laps, dedicate laps to people, run one lap backward (foot position, not direction!), walk a lap with someone new, time your lap splits, ignore time completely—the mental strategies are endless, just like the miles.
New to Multi-Day Events? Here's What Veterans Know:
Pace Yourself Like It's a Week, Not a Day Start slower than you think you should. Then slow down some more. The runners who are walking the first few hours? They'll still be moving at hour 47 when the jackrabbits are asleep in their cars.
Your Car is Your Castle Set up a comfort zone at your vehicle—camping chair, cooler, change of clothes, real food. Think of it as your personal pit stop. Many veterans bring Christmas lights to mark their spot at night (and boost morale).
Create a Home-away-from-Home Bring a Pup-up tent, or tents, chairs, a table, air mattress and sleeping bag, lights, food and drink. Create your own small “nest” along the winding course.
The Power of Real Food While we provide full meals and made-to-order food around the clock, bring your personal comfort foods too. That random craving for pickles and peanut butter at 2 AM? Totally normal. Mac and cheese at sunrise? Why not. Your body will tell you what it needs—listen to it.
Sleep Strategy
Some runners power through without sleep (48 hour and under)
Some take strategic 20-minute power naps
Some sleep 2-3 hours each night, some longer.
There's no "right" way—experiment and find what works for you
Pro tip: Set multiple alarms. Sleep-deprived you might turn off just one
Prepare for Weather Changes October in Alabama means you might experience everything from hot sun to cold rain in a single race. Layers are your friend. So is a rain jacket at 3 AM when the temperature drops 20 degrees from the afternoon high.
"Moments You'll Remember"
"At hour 28, someone was grilling burgers and bacon at 2 AM. The smell pulled me in like a tractor beam. Best burger of my life." - Previous runner
"I started alone. By hour 20, I had a 'pace family' of five people I'd never met before. We're still in touch." - 2023 finisher
"Watching the sun rise on your second morning, knowing you've been moving all night, knowing you're going to keep moving—there's no feeling like it." - 48-hour veteran
“It’s worth the trip form California just for some of Marye Jo’s Lintel Soup and Veggie Chili.” - 48 Hour & 72 Hour Veteran (quoted from memory)
Things you should know
We provide "Real Food." We serve real food to runners for 72 straight hours at EM. We will be preparing and serving meals at the appropriate times. Breakfast from about 6 to 8 AM, lunch from about 11 AM to 1PM, dinner from 5 to 7 PM. Of course we will be providing our usual selections and made to order food through the day and night. If you prefer GUs and other Gels to real food, you need to bring your own. We do not provide gels at Endless Mile.
Endless Mile is a “Cupless” race. Please bring a cup, or several, to the race to use for cold drinks, cokes, etc. Write your name or initials on a cup and leave it at the drink table or bring it to the aid station when you need cold drinks. We will have plenty of HOT cups for coffee, soup and other hot liquids.
The entire courses is lighted. However the lights are further apart than may be comfortable for you. Most runners us a headlamp overnight.
We provide Tailwind. Tailwind hydration drink is available for the duration of the race. This is a great hydration and fueling drink. If you have never used Tailwind, give it a try.
Race Shirt Cutoff - October 6th. To be assured of receiving a race shirt, please register by THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH.
The shirt order must be turned in on October 7th. Please do not wait until the last minute to register.The Course in a one Mile Loop. The course is USATF Certified at exactly a 1.00203 mile loop course that circles through Veteran’s Park in Alabaster, Alabama. The hiking paths are asphalt, very flat and smooth and winds along through wooded areas and past several lakes. Total elevation gain for each loop is about 12 to 15 ft. The 90 acre park also contains picnic areas, picnic shelters, two playgrounds, real restrooms with running water, soccer fields and a youth baseball complex. Some trails are shaded and will provide very pleasant running.
We reverse directions every 6 hours. At the end of each 6 hour segment we will place a cone on the course at the timing mat. Runners will circle the cone and head back the way they came. This makes things more interesting and creates a pleasant change of scenery. This also means you will not be able to stop at the aid station on the laps changing from clockwise to counterclockwise. You will need to plan ahead!
The Endless Mile Aid Station
We provide a well stocked aid stations along the front section of the course. The aid station is open 24 hours a day during the race. We provide breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of the race. We also provide made-to-order food throughout each day. We can make such items as hamburgers, cheeseburgers, nachos and quesadillas of various kinds, grilled or mashed potatoes with all kinds of “stuff” added, etc. Tell us what you would like and we will try to comply! We might have a hard time coming up with fried shrimp, for instance. We serve hot food and soup all night, each night. Breakfast starts in the “wee” hours. Of course, there is also all the standard aid station foods like, chips, cookies, candy, fruit, etc. Pizza might even appear a few times in the evenings. Because we provide REAL food, we do not offer gels. If you prefer to eat those, you will need to bring your own. Of course we offer Tailwind. water, cokes, ginger ale, sprite, coffee, tea, pickle juice, etc. Popsicles will even appear from time to time if it’s hot.
Parking at the Race
The Alabaster Parks and Recreation Department is very picky about how cars are parked at the race. All vehicles must be parked in a single parking space. Please do not block more than one space. Starting Thursday morning, the spaces near the fence along the course will be full. Those spaces along the fence should be reserved for runners using their car or truck as an aid station. If you are setting up a personal aid station along the course, that is, inside the fence, please park out in the parking lot.
There rules are per The Alabaster Parks and Recreation Dept. We want to stay on their good side. Help us keep them happy!
Please note: Wednesday night camping isn't permitted (we know, we wish it was too!)
All cars parked along the fence must be parked in the lined spaces.
Please do not take up more than one space.
Campers or motor homes should be parked out in the parking lot, away from the fences.
Runners may set up a small personal aid station in front of, or behind their, vehicle. Be sure it does not interferes with traffic.
Campers, RVs and Motorhome Parking
Motorhomes, RVs and campers should be parked in one single parking space if possible.
If the Camper, Motorhome or RV is longer than one parking space, it may be parked using a second space directly in front.
The camper, motorhome or RV must not interfere with any adjacent parking spaces.
Awnings or expanded sides may not extend into adjacent parking spaces.
If you need more space than the width of a single parking space, you must park on the ends of a row with the extension or awning angled away from all adjacent parking spaces.
Awnings and Extensions should not interfere with traffic.
Saturday evening the park is overflowing with multiple baseball games going on at the same time. If you leave the park Saturday afternoon, you may not be able to find a parking place near the start/finish area.
Just in case you haven’t seen our new Endless Mile 100 and 200 mile buckles
A Few Endless Mile Statistics from 2024
Number of runners to reach 200 miles in the 72 Hour - 2
Number of runners to reach 100 miles in the 72 Hour - 32
Number of runners to reach 100 miles in the 48 Hour - 24
Number of runners to reach 100 miles in the 24 Hour - 6
All-time Course Records
72 Hour Course Record - Letha Cruthirds - 206.866 Miles (Also Women’s Record) By the way, Letha was 71 when she set this record!)
72 Hour Course Record - David Mickelsen - 200.406 (Men’s Record)
72 Hour Unofficial Course Record - Ed Ettinghausen - 259.526 (He ran the 48 hour and 24 hour as separate races) Ed was 62!
48 Hour Men’s Course Record - Ed Ettinghausen - 188.062 Miles
48 Hour Women’s Course Record - Melissa Fritz - 159.515
24 Hour Men’s Course Record - Chad Ricklefs - 116.563
24 Hour Women’s Course Record - Janice Anderson - 111.987
12 Hour Men’s Course Record - Todd Fernandez - 64.357
12 Hour Women’s Course Record - Micah Morgan - 76.154
6 Hour Men’s Course Record - Noah Cochran - 47.095
6 Hour Women’s Course Record - Micah Morgan - 45.050
State Age Group Records
There are way to many EM running records to list. It is safe to say that Most age group records and many overall state records, 50K and above, were set at Endless Mile. Follow the link below and check out your age group record for the distance of your choice on “Alabama State Running Records.” You my well be able to set a new state record.
Event Schedule
Wednesday, October 22nd - 3:00 to 4:00 PM - Race packet pickup at Veteran's Park, Alabaster for 72 Hour runners. 72 Hour Runners may set up personal aid stations starting about 3PM. Rental tents should be set up by 4:00PM. The address of Veteran's Park is: 7305 AL Hwy 119, (Montevallo Rd) Alabaster, AL 35007.
Thursday, October 23rd - 8:00 to 8:45 AM - Packet pickup for 72 hour runners ONLY, at the start location in Veterans Park. You may set up personal aid stations starting at daylight. All 72 Hour runners must pick up your "HuTag" timing chip before the start. The HuTags are to be worn on your ankle at all times while running.
Thursday, October 23rd - 8:55 AM - Short Race Briefing at the start.
Thursday, October 23rd - 9:00 AM - Start of the 72 Hour Race.
Thursday, October 23rd - 4:00 to 5:00 PM - Optional packet pickup at Veteran's Park, Alabaster for 48 Hour runners. 48 Hour Runners may set up personal aid stations starting about 3PM. The address of Veteran's Park is: 7305 AL Hwy 119, (Montevallo Rd) Alabaster, AL 35007.
Friday, October 24th - 8:00 to 8:45 AM - Packet pickup for 48 hour runners at the start location in Veterans Park.48 Hour runners may set up personal aid stations starting at daylight. Other Friday Start races my set up personal aid stations after 7:00 AM. All runners starting Friday must pick up your "HuTag" timing chip before the start. The HuTags are to be worn on your ankle at all times while running.
Friday, October 24th - 8:55 AM - Short Race Briefing at the start. (Please stay out of the timing chute under the arch.)
Friday, October 24th - 9:00 AM - Start of the 48 Hour Race and 6, 12 & 24 Hour Runners starting on Friday.
Friday, October 24th - After 3:00 PM - 24 Hour runners starting Saturday may set up personal aid stations at the start location in Veteran’s Park. Race packet pick up for the 24 hour is Saturday morning.
Saturday, October 25th - 7:30 to 8:45 AM - Packet pickup for Marathon, 6, 12 and 24 hour race at the start location in Veterans Park. 24 Hour Runners may set up personal aid stations starting as early as you wish. 6 and 12 hour runners may set up personal aid stations after 7:30 AM. All runners must pick up your "HuTag" timing chip before the start. The HuTags are to be worn on your ankle at all times while running.
Saturday, October 25th - 8:55 AM - Short Race Briefing at the start. (Please stay out of the timing chute under the arch.)
9:00 AM - Start of the 6, 12 and 24 Hour Races
3:00 PM - Finish of the 6 hour race and Awards presentation. Awards are presented at the end of the 6 hour race.
9:00 PM - Finish of the 12 hour race and Awards presentation. Awards are presented at the end of the 12 hour race.
Sunday, October 26th - 9:00 AM - Finish of the 72, 48 and 24 hour races and Awards presentation.
The Key to Finishing a “very long” RAce is staying Fueled and Hydrated.
Tailwind Covers both Bases.
ROOTED IN SCIENCE. PROVEN ON THE TRAIL. MADE BY ATHLETES FOR ATHLETES
Tailwind’s mission (like their nutrition) is simple: “We’re here to help you reach your goals while enjoying every mile of the journey. Our easy-to-use products are formulated to provide you with the hydration, fuel, and recovery your body requires to do both! It’s all you need. Really.”
