Sat, Apr 10, 2027

MadCity Ultras

Madison, WI

Opens Oct 31, 2026Annual since at least 2022

50K100K

Entry is $120 now and rises to $135 after Nov 30, 2026, so registering before then saves $15.

About the MadCity Ultras

The course runs a loop through the UW Arboretum and along the shore of Lake Wingra, next to Vilas Park. The trail winds through mature trees and natural landscape, and because the format is looped, you pass familiar ground repeatedly, which some runners find grounding and others find challenging. Both solo and relay options are offered.

The course stays open for a generous window, and anyone who needs extra time can arrange an early start with the race director, though that affects award eligibility. The relay format allows a small group to share the distance between them.

Free race emails

Get the Weekly RunSesh

In for this one or still deciding, keep race season near Madison on your radar: a Monday look ahead and a Thursday rundown of the weekend's races.

Two helpful emails per week. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Finish-Time Stats

Going by the 2026 results, this is a small, friendly field, with a competitive front end and a big recreational middle.

50K · 2026 results

28finishers

3:00:54winner

5:29:19median

9:29:33cutoff

Top 3: Jean Otero (3:00:54) · Cody Chadwick (3:10:41) · Nicholas Thompson (3:10:48)

100K · 2026 results

17finishers

6:34:00winner

7:30:53median

11:41:00cutoff

Top 3: Brogan Austin (6:34:00) · Phil Young (6:45:23) · Anthony Fagundes (6:47:54)

The MadCity Ultras has been held every year since at least 2022. That is as far back as RunSignup's records for this race go, so it may well be older.

Where Would You Finish?

Enter a finish time to see where it lands against the most recent 50K results.

Median

See how your time stacks up nationally →

How we calculate these stats: RunSesh calculates these figures from the most recent published results of past editions, sourced from RunSignup. We show aggregates only: field size, winning and median times, and the cutoff. We never publish individual finisher tables. Last updated Jul 27, 2026.

Distances & Start Times

50K4/10/2027 08:00$120

100K4/10/2027 06:30$145

50K4/10/2027 08:30$175

100K4/10/2027 07:00$175

Going for a Time?

Set a goal and get a pace band: every mile split on a card sized for your phone lock screen, so race morning needs no math.

Plan Your Trip

Where to Stay

Traveling for this race? The map shows hotels and rentals in and around Madison — pan or zoom to compare what's nearby.

The map is provided by Stay22. If you book through it, RunSesh may earn a commission at no extra cost to you — it never affects the races we list.

Common Questions About the MadCity Ultras

Will I finish last at the MadCity Ultras?

Almost certainly not. Half the 50K field finished slower than 5:29:19, and the last recorded finisher came in around 9:29:33, so there is a long tail of runners behind the middle of the pack. Most fields are far slower than people expect.

Is the MadCity Ultras a good first 50K?

It is a small race (28 finishers), which is friendlier and less intimidating than a big-city event, though the field thins out. There is no qualifying time, and the finish-time spread above shows how varied the field really is. If it is your first 50K, that spread matters more than the winner's time.

How competitive is the MadCity Ultras?

The 50K winner ran 3:00:54 while the median finisher took 5:29:19. That spread points to a mixed field, with a competitive front and a big recreational middle.