Description
Iron Heart Ultra Race
Date: Friday, February 14, 2025
Location: Massey Hill Shelter, Maramec Spring Park
Address: 21880 Maramec Spring Drive, St. James, MO 65559
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with Heart — the Iron Heart!
Join us for an unforgettable day (and night!) of endurance, nature, and camaraderie at beautiful Maramec Spring Park in the Ozarks. The Iron Heart Ultra Race offers something for everyone — from first-time trail runners to seasoned ultra-distance athletes.
Race Distances
Choose the challenge that fits your heart (and your legs):
100 Mile, 100K, 50 Mile, 50K, 20 Mile, 15 Mile, 20K, 10 Mile, 15K, 10K, 5 Mile, 5K
Whether you’re tackling your first trail race or your next ultra, there’s a distance for you!
Start Times & Cutoffs
Race Start: 6:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14
Cutoff: 32 hours (race ends at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday)
Early Start Option: 100 Mile runners may start at 2:00 a.m. to extend the cutoff to 36 hours
Note: Early starters are not eligible for overall male or female awards.
Packet Pickup & Pre-Race Meal
Date: Thursday, February 13
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Massey Hill Shelter
Bonus: Enjoy a pasta dinner (RSVP required) with fellow runners and volunteers!
Course Details
The Iron Heart Ultra takes runners deep into the heart of Maramec Spring Park, featuring two scenic trails:
Leatherbritches Trail (1.8 miles): Traverses pine and oak/hickory forest with unique views of the historic Maramec Iron Works mine pit.
BallHooter Trail (3.2 miles): A moderately challenging loop with approximately 246 ft of elevation gain, offering a great mix of runnable terrain and technical sections.
An aid station will be located at the changeover point between BallHooter and Leatherbritches, stocked with electrolyte drink, water, and our famous hot quesadillas!
Pacers
100 Mile: Pacers allowed after mile 50
100K: Pacers allowed starting at mile 52 (beginning of final lap)
Pacers must check in and pick up a pacer bib before heading out.
No pacers (including cyclists) are allowed for any other distance — no exceptions.
Awards & Finisher Swag
Overall Male & Female Awards for all distances
Custom Iron Heart Belt Buckles for 100 Mile, 100K, 50 Mile, and 50K finishers
Custom Gym Bags for 100 Mile finishers
Event Logistics:
Camping: Allowed in the parking lot (no hookups).
Spectators: Family and friends are welcome to hang out at the main aid station to cheer on runners.
Pets: Well-behaved pets are always welcome!
Dropouts: If you must withdraw for any reason, please notify a race official immediately.
Whether you’re chasing your first buckle, testing your limits, or simply running for the love of the trail, the Iron Heart Ultra is the perfect way to spend Valentine’s Day — surrounded by beauty, challenge, and heart.
Every Second Counts.
Event's current local time: 1:05 PM CT
