LOST 118 mile (full loop) and 100k (half loop)
The 19th annual LOST 118 will be held on February 15, 2025. We have 118-mile full loop (individual, 3-person relay, and solo-self-supported-carts) and 100K half loop (individual). The race is held during the full moon weekend each February and is run along the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail ("LOST”) surrounding Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Everyone starts in Clewiston at 7am. The full loop finishes where it began and the half loop is run point-to-point finishing in Okeechobee.
Route, Running Surface & Roadway Sections
The route is atop the 118 mile Herbert Hoover Levee surrounding Lake Okeechobee, originally built for flood control. At 35 feet tall, runners will have stunning views of the Lake's calm waters and scenic grassy islands. Scheduled on a full moon weekend every February, a headlamp may not be necessary while on the levee.
Lake Okeechobee is the second largest lake wholly within the United States and is the largest in Florida. It covers 730 square miles and spans five counties - Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach, and Hendry. The Lake is home to all sorts of wildlife including alligators, osprey, pelicans, raccoons, wild hogs, white tail deer and a variety of both resident and migrating birds and waterfowl.
The running surface of the LOST trail is 10-foot wide paved asphalt with a few miles of crushed dual track.
There are 22 designated crew access points but there are several other points of contact for runners who want more frequent support.
There are places along the course where runners will leave the levee and run along the roadway. These road sections are usually short and are necessary to cross bodies of water such as the Miami Canal, St Lucie Canal, Taylor Creek, Kissimmee River, and Caloosahatchee River. On these sections, all runners must run facing traffic, wear appropriate road running safety gear (reflective vests, blinky lights, headlamp) and be exceptionally vigilant and careful. Crew is responsible to make sure their runner is alert and wearing appropriate safety gear.
About the Levee
After 18 years and $1.5 billion, the massive Herbert Hoover Levee rehabilitation project was completed in 2023. At the ribbon cutting in Clewiston, Colonel James Booth, Commander of the Jacksonville District United States Army Corps of Engineers, announced that the project was completed three years ahead of schedule and $300 million under budget. He added that the levee “has never been in better shape than it is right now." For LOST 118 Ultras, this means the end to construction-related road sections which have been part of this race since inception.
Crew Mandatory
All individual runners (other than solo-sefl-supported-cart runners) must have crew support since there simply are not enough convenience stores or gas stations to self-support. Relay teams can act as crew when not running.
Rules
The Rules of LOST 118 Ultras are simple. Run the race, don’t cheat, don’t litter, and don’t do anything else you think the Race Committee, your fellow runners, or the community might find offensive, rude or obnoxious. Basically ‘act like an adult’. When running on roadways and/or bridges, you must run facing traffic and wear all necessary safety gear (reflective vest, blinkie lights front & back, and a headlamp).
A good rule of thumb on how best to interpret these Rules is if you find yourself asking “do you think it’s ok if I do this?" or "do you think this would violate the Rules?”, the behavior in question probably violates the Rules.
Any violation of these Rules by a runner or crew will result in the runner and the entire crew being immediately and automatically disqualified and permanently banned from all future LOST 118 Ultras. The Race Committee’s decision will be final and there is no appeal.
Cut Offs & Time Limits
Cutoffs:
Half Loop – 100k - 1:00 am Sunday, February 16, 2025 (18 hours)
Full Loop – 118 miles - 9:00 pm Sunday, February 16, 20254 (38 hours) with all runners having to make it past the 100k mark by 1:00am Sunday (18 hours).
Pricing, Refunds & Cancellation Policy
118 mile - $200
100k - $150
118 mile relay - $500 (up to three relay runnders)
Participants will receive a 100% refund if they cancel their registration before 12/31/24.
No refunds after 12/31/24.
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 mile race. It is located at Lake Okeechobee Park (in the town of Okeechobee) - the finish line for the Half Loop and the halfway mark of the full 118. 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
100k Male: Alfredo Huerta (2024) 11:34:21
Buckles will be awarded to all individual runners who finish the 118 within 38 hours.
Awards: First place trophies will be awarded to the fastest female, fastest male and fastest relay team.
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: 1:01 PM ET
