Hickory's inaugural HKY 100 arrives at Winkler Park on Saturday, October 17, and continues into Sunday, October 18, 2026. The 100-mile ultramarathon is built for solo runners and relay teams of two to 10 people, with every participant returning to the same four-mile course throughout the weekend.
Registration closed on Friday, October 9, so this guide is intended for registered runners, crews, and local residents following race weekend. Event operations can change, especially when weather is involved. Check the official City of Hickory page, the RunSignup event page, and organizer messages before leaving home.
HKY 100 quick facts
- Race dates: Saturday, October 17, through Sunday, October 18, 2026
- Start time: 8 a.m. Saturday
- Cutoff time: 4 p.m. Sunday
- Start and finish: Main entrance to L P Frans Stadium at Winkler Park
- Address: 2500 Clement Boulevard Northwest, Hickory, North Carolina 28601
- Distance and format: 100 miles on a repeating four-mile loop
- Divisions: Solo runners and relay teams of two to 10 people
- Registration status: Closed Friday, October 9
How the race format works
The HKY 100 uses one four-mile circuit rather than a point-to-point route. Solo runners and relay teams repeatedly complete the loop until they reach the full distance. The format brings participants back through the start and finish area throughout the race, while still asking them to manage pacing, rest, nutrition, equipment, and overnight conditions.
Relay strategy is flexible within the organizer's published rules. Team members may divide the distance among their roster and switch at authorized locations. Registered runners should read the complete rules before race morning because bib visibility, check-ins, relay exchanges, aid-station conduct, pacer use, and drop-bag placement are governed by event-specific requirements.
What runners will find on the course
The route is approximately 70 percent trail and 30 percent paved. The loop combines double-track farm trails, single-track hiking paths, the Aviation Walk corridor, Winkler Park nature trails, and a finish through the Hickory Crawdads stadium area.
The organizer describes true trail conditions, including short steep climbs, longer sustained ascents, descents, tight turns, roots, rocks, and other natural features. Cones, directional signs, and reflective tape are planned to mark the course. Any runner who will be on the route after dark is required to carry a light, and the organizer advises bringing backup batteries or charging capability.
A weekend race that continues overnight
All categories are scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. The published cutoff is 4 p.m. Sunday, which means the race continues through Saturday night and much of Sunday. That timing makes final preparation especially important for solo entrants and for relay teams coordinating runner changes, rest, food, layers, lighting, and communication.
The race is scheduled to take place rain or shine. The organizer may hold athletes, adjust the course, postpone, or cancel if severe conditions create a safety concern. Registered participants should rely on direct organizer communications for packet pickup and last-minute operating instructions, since those details are more likely to change than the public overview.
Planning for runners crews and local followers
Crews and pacers are allowed under the published race rules, but support is limited to designated areas and procedures. Pacers must sign waivers and wear the appropriate identification. Participants are responsible for understanding where exchanges and assistance are permitted, and for making sure their crews follow the rules.
For local residents who want to follow the event, the official pages identify the stadium and Winkler Park as the race hub but do not publish a general spectator or parking plan. Avoid assuming that every portion of the course is available for viewing. Check the official event page immediately before visiting and follow onsite directions.
Why this event belongs on Hickory's calendar
The inaugural HKY 100 brings a new endurance event to Hickory's park and trail system while connecting Winkler Park with the city's baseball stadium. It is one example of how outdoor recreation, public spaces, and regional events shape everyday life in the Catawba Valley.
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