THE BERRYMAN TRAIL RACES
Welcome to the 26th Annual Berryman Trail Races! Whether you’re tackling the 50-Mile challenge or the Marathon, the historic Berryman Trail offers a single-track experience in the beautiful Mark Twain National Forest.
This race is brought to you by the St. Louis Ultrarunners Group (SLUGs). SLUG members receive a $10 discount on race registration, so join today! (Discount codes can be found on the SLUG membership site.)
ITRA POINTS! New to the 2026 edition of the Berryman Trail Races, 3 ITRA points will be awarded to those completing the 50 Mile distance and 1 ITRA point to those completing the Marathon distance.
RRCA CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT
We’re proud to announce that the Berryman Marathon is the 2026 RRCA Missouri State Championship Race. The goal of the RRCA Championship Event Series is to celebrate and shine a spotlight on well-run, community-focused events and to award their top performing runners. RRCA awards will be given to: Open male and female, 40+ male and female, 50+ male and female, 60+ male and female.
2026 RACE SWAG
The first 150 participants will receive a custom Berryman ice bandana and a custom Berryman backpack cooler, the perfect gear for keeping yourself and your tasty beverages cool during those hot summer runs!
ICE BANDANA
COOLER BACKPACK
DATES & LOCATION
RACE DAY:
Saturday, May 16, 2026
The Start and Finish is at Berryman Campground in the Mark Twain National Forest, between Steelville and Potosi, Missouri.
PACKET PICK-UP:
Berryman Campground pavilion from 2-5 PM on Friday, May 15, 2025 and starting at 5:00 AM on Saturday, May 16.
START TIMES & CUTOFFS
50-Mile (53~ trail miles)
Start: 6:00 AM
Cut-off: 8:00 PM
Time limit: 14 hours (15:51 min/mile pace). 50-mile participants must start their second loop by 1 p.m.
Marathon (26.4~ trail miles)
Start: 7:00 AM
Cut-off: 7:00 PM
Time limit: 12 hours (27:28 min/mile pace)
AWARDS
All registered runners who complete one loop will receive a Marathon Finisher medal. All registered runners who complete two loops will receive a 50-Mile Finisher medal.
Special Awards:
Top 3 Female and Top 3 Male Over-All finishers will receive awards.
First male and female finishers in the following categories will also receive special awards:
Masters (40-49)
Grand Masters (50-59)
Senior Grand Masters (60-69)
Golden Masters (70+)
50-Mile race participants who complete only 1 loop are eligible to receive a marathon finisher's medal for completing a loop (as supplies last), but will not be listed as finishers in the Marathon race results and are not eligible for age group awards or EMUS points.
COURSE
A designated National Recreation Trail, Berryman Trail is an approximately 26.4-mile single-track loop located in the Mark Twain National Forest. Run one loop for the Marathon, and two loops for the 50-Mile race (which is actually closer to 53 miles).
The loop is entirely forested and continuously hilly, with a total elevation gain/loss of 2500 ft/2500 ft per loop. There are plenty of rocks and roots, and at least two opportunities to get your feet wet before and after the Brazil Creek aid station at mile 16 (and mile 42 on 2nd loop). The course crosses many other small stream beds that may or may not have water in them depending on recent rainfall. The race is run in the clock-wise direction.
The Berryman Trail is part of the Ozark Trail system maintained by the Ozark Trail Association, SLUGs, and other user groups. The west side of the Berryman loop shares 12 miles with the main corridor of the Ozark Trail. Click here for a course map: Berryman Course Map
See below footage from our 2025 race!
AID STATIONS
Aid Stations will be approximately every 5-6 miles. Runners will be provided with sports drink, water, soda, and a typical assortment of ultra snacks.
*** The Berryman Trail Races are CUPLESS ***
No disposable cups will be used to dispense water or sports drink at aid stations. Runners are required to carry a bottle or hydration pack throughout the race.
We’re proud to partner with Hydrapak’s Sustainable Racing Program to help reduce race day waste! Each runner will receive a reusable HydraPak SpeedCup at packet pickup to use throughout the race. Our amazing volunteers and staff have worked hard to create a seamless aid station experience for you.
At every aid station, they’ll be ready to fill your cup, or you can use the self-serve coolers stocked with water and electrolytes for quick and easy access. Let’s race responsibly together!
.
EASTERN MISSOURI ULTRA SERIES (EMUS)
The Berryman Trail Races are part of the Eastern Missouri Ultra Series (EMUS), hosted by SLUGs. Series points are awarded based on the number of miles run, plus bonus points for placing. For more information on the EMUS, click here.
NO OFFICIAL RACE DAY DROP-DOWNS
Runners registered for the 50-mile race must start in the race for which they are registered (at 6:00 AM). You can change your registration on Ultrasignup through May 11 if you wish to switch distances. 50-Mile race participants who complete only 1 loop on race day are eligible to receive a marathon finisher's medal for completing a loop (if supplies allow), but will not be listed as finishers in the Marathon race results. EMUS points are only awarded for completing the race for which you are registered.
Additional race details (drop bags, cut-offs, crew directions) can be found HERE.
PARKING AND DAY USE FEE
If arriving Saturday morning, please do not attempt to pull into Berryman Campground and Day Use Area. The very limited parking and camp spots will be filled on Friday.
Please park NORTH of the campground entrance along the right side (east side) of Berryman Road. Park on one side of road only, leaving room for vehicles to pass on Berryman Road.
Day Use Fee for Berryman Campground and Day Use Area = $5 per vehicle. Please bring exact change for USFS self-pay envelopes. Day Use Fee applies to all users accessing the Berryman Day Use area (shelter and trailhead), even if you are parking on the road outside of the campground.
If you hold an annual Recreation Pass, you can record that information (pass number) on the envelope. The envelope stub with pass number or the pass should be visible in windshield of your vehicle.
PACERS
Pacers can join runners ONLY at Berryman or Brazil Creek campgrounds on 2nd loop of 50-mile race.
No pacers allowed for marathon or first loop of the 50-mile race unless you are over 60 years of age and/or have special circumstances warranting the need for a safety runner. You must notify and obtain permission from the Race Directors to have a safety runner accompany you on the first loop.
Pacers need to register via the UltraSignUp page. There's no cost, but it allows us to track who is on course and make sure all runners and pacers have signed waivers.
POST-RACE BBQ
There will be burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks and beer for runners at the end of the race. Please bring your own (non-disposable) plate and utensils to help cut down on waste. Bring camp chairs and hang out after you finish to cheer on the rest of the field.
If you have crew, family and friends hanging out all day, please let them know that the Berryman Store is just 3.3 miles from the Berryman Campground on Hwy 8, and they have fuel and food. There are also dining options in Steelville and Potosi. We don't mind sharing, but please be mindful that if your friends and families eat our food all day there won't be anything left for the 50-mile finishers.
LODGING
Primitive camping (no water, pit toilets) is available at the Berryman campground on a first-come, first-serve basis. Fee = $15 per day. Spots and parking are limited. If campground and parking lot are full, please park along road outside of campground on one side only (east side, facing north). Please obey No Parking signs.
There is limited free (primitive) camping available at Brazil Creek Campground and aid station on a first-come, first-served basis (approximately 7 miles from the start/finish at Berryman Campground).
Camping and cabins:
Huzzah Valley Resort, (800) 367-4516, 10 miles east of Steelville on Hwy 8 and 11 miles or a 15-minute drive from the start/finish area at the Berryman campground shelter.
Bass River Resort, (800) 392-3700, 204 Butts Rd, Steelville, MO 65565, off Hwy 8 near Huzzah Valley, and 12 miles from start/finish.
TIP: Huzzah Valley and Bass River resorts have coin-operated showers.
YMCA Trout Lodge, 13528 State Hwy AA, Potosi, MO, 63664, off Hwy 8 between Berryman and Potosi, and 12 miles from start/finish.
Edg-Clif Cottages, 10035 Edg-Clif Drive, Potosi, MO, 63664, off Hwy 8 between Berryman and Potosi, and 15 miles from start/finish.
Hotels and motels can be found in Potosi (18 miles from start/finish), Steelville (20 miles), and Cuba (28 miles).
REGISTRATION POLICIES
NO REFUNDS. Please do not ask. Requests will not receive a response.
ROLLOVER CREDITS: You will receive a credit (100% of race entry, not including fees) if you withdraw prior to April 1 (and do not transfer your bib to another runner, see below).
If you withdraw after April 1 and before May 11, you will receive an 80% rollover credit.
Rollover credits may only be applied to the 2027 Berryman Trail Races. Credits are not transferrable to other races.
No rollover credits will be issued after May 11. Please do not ask. Requests will not receive a response. Why? Because by May 11, we have already assigned your bib, packed your swag, and put you on the starting lists for tracking on race day.
BIB TRANSFERS: If you choose to give or sell your registration to another runner, it will be up to you to make that transaction. A bib transfer is a 2-step process that must be completed by the original registrant AND the recipient (not the Race Director).To complete a bib transfer, you must log in and edit your race registration on the Ultrasignup website and enter the recipient's name and email address to set up the transfer; the recipient must then complete registration via Ultrasignup using the credit created by your cancellation/transfer to enter the race. If someone shows up on race day and has not completed this process, they will not be entered in the race. If you are selling your registration to another runner, it is up to you to collect the money from the buyer. Funds will not be transferred via Ultrasignup.
CHANGING DISTANCE: You may change your race distance through May 11 on Ultrasignup only (go to Account Info - Registration History to modify an existing registration). If you drop down from the 50-mile race to the Marathon, no refund will be issued for the cost difference. You must start at the designated start time for the race in which you are entered. 50-Mile race participants who complete only 1 loop are eligible to receive a marathon finisher's medal for completing a loop (as supplies allow) but will not be listed as finishers in the Marathon results,and are not eligible for awards or EMUS points.
DEADLINE: No registration changes (bib transfers or switching races) will be allowed after May 11.
DIRECTIONS
The Berryman Trail is located off Highway 8 in the Mark Twain National Forest about half way between Steelville and Potosi, Missouri. The nearest major airport is located in St. Louis, an approximately 2-hour drive.
Look for this sign on HWY 8:
Event's current local time: 3:53 PM CT
