LOST 118 mile (solo crewed or solo cart)
The 20th annual LOST 118 Ultra will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 7:00 am. The 20th anniversary price is $118, and a runner may choose to run 118 miles (crew mandatory) or may apply to participate in the uncrewed, self-supported solo cart division. The previous relay options and 100k half-loop races are no longer offered. The race is held during the full moon weekend each February and is run on the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail ("LOST”) surrounding Lake Okeechobee, Florida. The race starts in Clewiston at 7am, runs counterclockwise around the entire lake, and finishes exactly where it began.
Route, Running Surface & Roadway Sections
Aside from a section of approximately 15 miles of hard packed, crushed shell, double track, the entire running surface of the LOST trail is a 10-foot wide paved asphalt path. There are 22 designated crew access points, although several other points of contact are available for runners desiring more frequent support. There are several brief places along the course where runners will exit the levee and run along the roadway. These road sections are typically short and necessary to cross bodies of water, such as the Miami Canal, the St. Lucie Canal, Taylor Creek, Kissimmee River, and the Caloosahatchee River. On these sections, all runners must run facing traffic, wearing appropriate road running safety gear (reflective vests, blinking lights, and/or a headlamp), and be exceptionally vigilant and careful. Crew is responsible to ensure their runner is alert and wearing appropriate safety gear.
The entire 118 mile race is completely exposed, with absolutely no shade, no trees, and no protection from the wind, or other environmental elements.
About the Levee
Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake wholly within the United States and is the largest lake in Florida. It covers 730 square miles and spans five counties - Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry. The lake is home to a variety of fish and wildlife, including alligators, ospreys, pelicans, raccoons, wild hogs, white tail deer, and a variety of both resident and migrating birds and waterfowl.
The race route is atop the 118 mile Herbert Hoover Levee surrounding Lake Okeechobee. Originally constructed nearly 100 years ago, the levee was built for flood control. The levee recently underwent an 18 year and $1.5 billion rehabilitation project, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget in 2023. During the ribbon cutting ceremony in Clewiston, Colonel James Booth, Commander of the Jacksonville District United States Army Corps of Engineers announced the levee “has never been in better shape than it is right now.” For LOST 118 Ultras, this marked an end to construction-related road sections, which had been a part of this race since its inception.
At 35 feet high, runners will have stunning views of the lake's calm waters and scenic grassy islands. As mentioned in the "About the Levee" section above, the levee is completely exposed, with absolutely no shade, no trees, and no protection from the wind, or other environmental elements.
Crew Mandatory
All runners must have crew support, as there are simply are not enough convenience stores or gas stations to self-support.
Solo self-supported cart runners must carry all supplies, including water, on a cart. Solo self-supported cart runners may accept free aid from other runners, crew and spectators but sole self-supported runners cannot pre-plan any such support as this division is designed to be self-supported, not aided.
Rules
The rules of LOST 118 Ultras are simple. Run the race, don’t cheat, don’t litter, carry a charged cell phone, and do not engage in any behavior the race committee, your fellow runners, or the community, might find offensive, rude, unsafe, or obnoxious. When running on roadways and bridges, always run facing traffic, wearing appropriate road running safety gear (reflective vests, blinking lights, and/or a headlamp). Always be exceptionally vigilant and careful.
A good rule of thumb on how to interpret these rules is if you ask yourself if the behavior is acceptable, then it probably is not.
Any violation of any rule by a runner or a crew will result in the runner and the entire crew being immediately disqualified and permanently banned from all future LOST 118 Ultras events. The race committee’s decision will be final, and there is no appeal process.
Additional specific rules for the solo-self-supported division:
You must finish the race with the same cart he/she started with and must have the cart with them at all times during the race.
You must have a crew member “on standby” during the entire race who is ready, willing and able to pick you and your cart up in the event you drop out of the race or miss the cutoff. You must acknowledge that race management will not provide assistance or extraction from the course.
You may not dump out water or other liquids (in an effort to save weight or for any other reason whatsoever) until after mile 105.
You may leave the levee to resupply at convenient stores, but you must “stake out” where you left the levee, must take the cart with you and must return to the exact same spot on the levee before continuing the race.
Each cart must contain the following:
#1. Enough food and liquids for the runner to cover fifty (50) miles. At the start of the race, this means no less than 2 gallons (8 liters) of potable liquids and no less than 2,000 calories of food.
#2. A map locating the convenient stores the runner intends to visit during the race.
#3. Hat or buff.
#4. Working cell phone with an extra battery source.
#5. GPX track on phone or watch.
#6. Headlamp/handheld light with extra batteries.
#7. Appropriate extra clothing necessary for storms and other unexpected weather conditions as well as an emergency blanket (mylar, in silver or orange, is acceptable).
Cut Offs & Time Limits
Every runner must reach the halfway mark (Okeechobee Park) by 1:00 am Sunday, March 1, 2026 (18 hours) and must finish the full loop by 9:00 pm Sunday, March 1, 2026 (38 hours). There are no exceptions.
Pricing, Refunds & Cancellation Policy
$118. Participants will receive a 100% refund if they cancel their registration before 12/31/25. No refunds after 12/31/25. No deferrals. If the event is cancelled by the Race Director prior to the 7am start on race day, all participants will receive a 100% refund.
Pacers
In an effort to minimize congestion on the course at the start, Pacers may only join their runners at or after South Bay (approximately mile 15). The race should be sufficiently spaced out by South Bay so that Pacers can smoothly join their runners at or after that point.
Aid Station
There is only one (1) aid station along the entire 118 miles. It is located at Lake Okeechobee Park (in the town of Okeechobee) - the halfway mark. The aid station will be open from 5:00pm Saturday to 1:00am Sunday.
Awards & Race Records
Race Records:118 Female: Jamie Donaldson (2010) 18:36:15. 118 Male: Marc Burget (2022) 18:25:54. Buckles will be awarded to all runners who finish within 38 hours. Awards are hand made by Brie of Wicked Skins Awards.
Timing
Lost 118 Ultras will be chip timed by Mike Melton of MCM Timing & Results. Electronic timing sensors will be placed at several locations along the route and live updates will be available on-line.
Official Running Store
iRun of Miami is the official running store of LOST 118 Ultras as they host training runs on the levees of Broward County.
Charity
LOST 118 Ultras has partnered with the Cypress Chapter of the IWLA, a 501(c)(3) charity created 50 years ago. A portion of each year’s gross revenue will be donated to this organization and the Race Committee encourages all runners and crew to get involved in the preservation and betterment of Lake Okeechobee and the surrounding areas. The organization’s mission is to conserve, restore, and promote the sustainable use and enjoyment of our natural resources, including soil, air, woods, waters, and wildlife specifically in and around Lake Okeechobee, Big Cypress National Preserve and the Greater Everglades.
Race Director/Contact Us
Brendan Barry. Race Director aloywishes22@gmail.com
Event's current local time: 9:31 PM ET
