HICKORY — The Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department announced the inaugural HKY 100, a 100-mile ultramarathon debuting in October at Winkler Park, the city said July 17, 2026.
Runners may compete solo or on a relay team. The race begins at 8 a.m. with staggered start times Saturday, Oct. 17, at Winkler Park. The cutoff is 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
The course is a 4-mile loop of double-track farm trails, single-track hiking paths, nature trails, and the newly created Aviation Walk, with a finish at the Hickory Crawdads stadium. The city said the course is about 70% trail and 30% paved, with more than 17,950 feet of total elevation gain (718 feet per 4-mile lap). Runners will see short, steep climbs, two sustained ascents of roughly 0.65 miles each, descents, tight turns, roots, rocks, and other trail features.
The route will be marked with cones, directional signs, and reflective tape for nighttime running. Aid stations are listed at the start/finish area and near the halfway point. Participants may set up their own 10-by-10-foot canopy support tents. Relays may include 2 to 10 people.
Registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/NC/Hickory/HKY100 through Sunday, Oct. 4. The $125 fee includes an HKY 100 hoodie, a goodie bag, and a custom finisher’s award.
Packet pickup is Friday, Oct. 16, from 5:30–9 p.m. at Winkler Activity Center, or Thursday, Oct. 15, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Highland Recreation Center, 1451 8th Street Drive NE. Race-morning packets are available 7–7:30 a.m. at the start line.
Awards go to the top three overall finishers (male and female), solo runners in each age bracket, and team categories. All runners who finish 100 miles receive a custom finisher’s award.
Winkler Park is at 2500 Clement Boulevard NW. Additional running events are pointed to www.runhky.com. Questions go to Lance Riddile at 828-261-2254 or [email protected].
The July 17 notice does not list a field cap, prize money, or a rain cancellation policy.
Official release from City of Hickory, July 17, 2026. https://www.hickorync.gov/hickory-launches-inaugural-hky-100-ultramarathon
