About the Race
.Welcome to the ultimate test of endurance. This isn't your average Sunday morning jog in the park. We're talking about a grueling 200-mile race that will push you to your limits and beyond. But don't let that scare you off, because trust us when we say, there's nothing quite like conquering this challenge.
As you make your way through the picturesque Shelby Farms, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and wildlife, you'll find yourself questioning why you ever doubted yourself in the first place. The sense of accomplishment as you cross that finish line will be unlike anything else you've ever experienced.
But let's not sugarcoat things here - this race is no walk in the park (pun)
Picture this: a trail that takes you on an adventure through a unique blend of terrains. It's a wild mix of paved paths and thrilling single-track trails that wind their way through serene lakes and lush wooded landscapes. But hold on, it doesn't stop there! As you traverse this extraordinary path, keep your eyes peeled for some unexpected company. Yes, we're talking about the local wildlife – deer and even mighty buffalo sharing the trail with you! So gear up, embrace the untamed, and get ready to experience nature like never before. It's time to hit the trail and embark on an unforgettable journey filled with breathtaking views and encounters with the wild side. Let's go! 🌿🦌🦬
Our 33ish mile loop is a course designed to test your limits and ignite your inner competitor. Looking for something a little less intense or uniquely tailored to your goals? We also offer a 100-mile distance for those ready to up their boundaries and a 53k option for runners seeking a challenging yet achievable feat. There is also a 100 mile relay option, so grab your friends and come on!
Each distance represents an opportunity to grow, conquer, and redefine what you're capable of. Whether you're chasing a personal record or simply looking to push beyond your comfort zone, we've got the perfect course for your next adventure. Are you ready to take the leap?
Course Loop - Front 1/3 Loop
Course Loop - Tour de Wolf loop - 6 dirt trail miles
Course Loop - Back 1/3 Loop
Dates and Times
200 miler - Wednesday, April 2nd - 6:30am - Start of the 200 miler. (86.50 hours to finish)
100 miler - Friday, April 4th - 7am - Start of the 100 miler. (38 hours to finish)
100-mile night relay - Friday, April 4th - 7pm - Start of the 100 mile relay (26 hours to finish)
53K - Saturday, April 5th - 8am - Start of the 53K (13 hours to finish)
Saturday, April 5th - 9pm - All races end.
"Relay race may change start time, but it will start on Friday night"
Awards and Prizes
Now, let's talk about the most exciting part – the prize money! Brace yourself for a jaw-dropping, eye-popping total of $2500! Yeah, you heard that right! We're giving away cold, hard cash to 5 lucky runners - and EVERY runner is eligible to win!
$1200, $500, $300, $250, $250 prizes
We'll also have some amazing swag to give out at the raffle as well, so don't miss it!
Awards will be given for top 3 overall male and top 3 overall female runners at each distance. Relay awards will be given to first place male team, first place female team, and first place mixed team.
Race Rules
Race Rules:
Please read carefully. It’s every runner’s responsibility to know all the rules. These are common rules in ultras and not overly restrictive. In our experience the ultra-community is very trustworthy and intentional breaking of rules is almost unheard of. Problems typically only arise when someone doesn’t understand the rules and breaks them unintentionally.
- NO DROPPING DOWN IN RACE DISTANCE DURING THE RACE – As with all of our races, we don’t allow “finishes” in distances other than what was signed up for. If you are signed up for the 100-miler, you must complete 100-miles or you DNF.
- No muling – a runner must carry all their own gear, food, water, everything. Therefore, pacers cannot give a runner any of their water, food, etc. anywhere except full/manned aid stations. At full/manned aid stations pacers and crew may assist their runners however necessary.
- No crewing outside full/manned aid stations – Crew cannot help their runner in any way outside of manned aid stations. DO NOT take anything from or give anything to runners outside of manned aid stations (NO ASSISTANCE).
- Trekking poles are allowed but please be courteous to others if using them.
- If you are planning on using a pacer and/or crew, see the “Aid Station and Pacers” section for a full list of rules.
- Littering of any kind at any aid stations, on the trails, or at the finish line is strictly prohibited.
- You may not cut the course. You must follow and stay on the trail and course and you may not shortcut it in any way. If there is a flag or marker it means stay on the trail the marker is on. It’s your responsibility to know and stay on the course. If you fail to run the course as marked you will not receive an official finish time and will not be eligible for an award – no time adjustments, no exceptions.
- You must complete the course on foot, with no assistance from vehicles, bicycles or animals. No skateboards, scooters, unicycles, hot air balloons, roller skates, sled dogs, or wagons (you get the idea).
- While headphones are allowed, please remove your headphones when approaching an aid station. It’s impolite not to.
- Please be aware of your surroundings when a runner approaches you to pass. Be respectful to other runners and make sure you can hear them when they tell you they are about to pass you.
- You are responsible for the behavior of your crew and your pacer. Out of control behavior from crew or pacer could disqualify you from the race. No one wants that and it won't be tolerated at any Mamba Trail Runners race.
- Being rude, discourteous or otherwise annoying race volunteers or staff is grounds for disqualification. Same with being rude or annoying to other runners or anyone else on the course, such as bicyclists, or hikers.
- If you receive an IV, oxygen or break a leg, your race is over. Let’s keep all our inside parts on the inside, please!
- No stashing food, drink or other supplies along the course. Drop bags at specified aid stations only.
- Generally, no cheating. If you wonder if what you are doing is cheating, it probably is. If you’re really not sure, ask us before you do it.
Age Limits:
All races are 18 and up. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Refunds and Transfers:
No refunds and no bib transfers will be permitted. Entry can be deferred for 50% race credit if done at least 60 days prior to the race. Entry can be deferred for 25% race credit if done at least 30 days prior to the race. No race credit after March 1st, 2025.
A runner may change distances as long as spots are available in the requested race. Refunds will not be issued if a runner chooses to move to a shorter distance.
Relay Information
The 100 mile Relay will consist of teams of 3 plus 1 alternate (optional). Each runner will run a complete loop (~33ish miles). Hand off will occur at the Start/Finish Aid Station.
An alternate runner may substitute in for any runner on the team at the TDW Aid Station. The alternate may also sub back out for the same runner at TDW or may hand off to the next runner at the Start/Finish Aid Station.
*Teams choosing to use alternate runner will be ineligible for awards.*
Relay teams are subject to all other race rules including crew restrictions.
Accommodations
The Agricenter (start / finish line) is right off of Germantown Parkway and you'll have everything you need all within a mile or two. There are four hotels a mile away and this entire area is in a great part of Memphis.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites 7784 Wolf Trail Cove Germantown, TN 38138 (901) 309-6700
Courtyard Memphis/Germantown 7750 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138 (901) 751-0230
Homewood Suites 7855 Wolf River Blvd. Germantown, TN 38138 (901) 751-2500
Hampton Inn & Suites 1680 S. Germantown Rd. Germantown, TN 38138 (901) 309-0555
RV camping is also available at Agricenter International. The RV Park offers sites with sewer, 30-amp & 50-amp electrical hook-ups, water, dump station, restrooms, shower, and laundry facilities. The RV Park at Agricenter is the perfect location if you plan on bringing or renting an RV. The main car parking area for Viper is right across the street from the RV campground.Walmart and grocery stores are ~2 miles away.
Restaurants - There are many restaurants packed up and down Germantown Parkway
Breakaway Running Store - less than a mile away for all your running needs and gear
Aid Stations, Crew & Pacers
Aid Stations:
There will be 2 fully manned aid stations, one at the Agricenter (Start/Finish) and one at the Tour de Wolf Pavilion at Shelby Farms (TDW). Runners will hit the Tour de Wolf Aid Station 3 times during the 33.3-mile loop. Aid Stations will have typical ultra race food options as well as soda, water and electrolyte drink. Specific aid station offerings will vary, but we will do our best to accommodate all dietary needs.
There will be covered sleeping areas at both aid stations. Runners may also sleep in their vehicles or RVs at the Start/Finish Aid Station.
Drop bags will be permitted at both aid stations.
There will be at least one additional unmanned aid station available on course as well.
Crew: The crew will be able to access their runner at the Start/Finish line Aid Station and the Tour de Wolf Aid Station. No crewing at any other spots along the course. You are welcome to cheer and encourage your runner along the course as there are many places to set up and cheer. If a runner is caught receiving assistance other than the Aid Stations, then it will result in a Disqualification.
Pacers:
- Pacers will be permitted for the 200 mile and 100 mile distances. No pacers will be permitted for the 53k or relay.
- Runners are permitted to have ONE pacer at a time.
- Pacers can be picked up at the Start/Finish Aid Station and the Tour De Wolf Aid Station. Pacers can start pacing after their runner completes 2 loops. This is at ~66.6 miles.
- Pacers may NOT carry water, food, flashlights, clothing or other supplies for their runner. Muling is strictly prohibited. Pacers caught muling for their runners will result in a disqualification of the runner.
- Each pacer must pick up their pacer number and sign a release form at Packet Pickup before the race. No pacer can pace without a number and signing the release form.
- Pacers must enter and leave each aid station with their runner and must clearly identify themselves to aid station personnel. Pacers may accept aid at aid stations.
- Pacers must stay with their runner at all times; a pacer may not run ahead of their runner to an aid station. If the runner drops, then the pacer drops with them. The only exception to this rule is in an emergency where the runner cannot physically continue. In this case the pacer may continue to the nearest aid station for assistance. Note that in the event this happens, the runner will be removed from the race for safety reasons. .
- Pacers may carry their own supplies and food.
- If a runner withdraws from the race, the pacer must withdraw as well. No pacer can run without their registered runner.
- The pacer is a companion, not a leader. That is, (and we know this one is hard to enforce, so we hope that you do the honorable thing) the runner is supposed to “lead” and find and follow the course on his/her own. The pacer should always follow the runner.
- While a pacer is allowed, this race can be run without one.
Gear:
Average temperatures in Memphis at this time of year range between 50 and 70 degrees Farenheit. But like most places in the spring, weather is unpredictable. Plan accordingly. Road shoes are perfectly fine for this course, but it would be best to have a set of trail shoes too. Trekking poles are allowed but not required.
About our Hosts
At 4,500 acres, Shelby Farms Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country! Located in Memphis, Tennessee, the Park is both a vibrant community hub and a retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Public parks like Shelby Farms Park play an important role in creating a just and equitable community for all, and everyone is welcome here! Whether you play the Park on foot, on wheels, in the trees, in the open or on the water, Shelby Farms Park has something for everyone.
Shelby Farms Park features more than 40 miles of trails, both paved and unpaved, that are popular for walking, biking, running and hiking. The Park's trail network includes Shelby Farms Greenline, an iconic 10.65-mile paved cycling and pedestrian trail that connects the heart of Memphis to the heart of Cordova through Shelby Farms Park.
The Park is home to more than 20 bodies of water which provide plenty of opportunities for fishing.
It's also home to a herd of buffalo!
Kids can play and discover all sorts of fun at the award-winning Woodland Discovery Playground and make a splash at the Water Play Sprayground.
For more unique adventures, try horseback riding, treetop adventures or play a game of paintball or laser tag.
There is even fun to be had for four-legged friends! Dogs are welcome to explore the Park's trails (on-leash, leash in hand at all times) and to visit The Outback for off-leash fun!
If you work up an appetite, grab a quick snack in the Lake's Edge Shop, or head to the restaurant located in the Park!
Shelby Farms Park is a people-powered park -- Shelby Farms Park Conservancy is proud to raise 75% of the Park's $5+ million annual operating budget! Shelby Farms Park and Greenline are managed and operated by Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Agricenter International is a not-for-profit organization that provides economic development and improved quality of life by facilitating agricultural research, educational programs, environmental conservation, natural area preservation, and recreational opportunities.
Agricenter International has been serving the agricultural community and the citizens of Shelby County for four decades. In that time, we have focused on providing a place where people can come and enjoy the wonders of a farm in a large metropolitan city. This is one of the opportunities that makes our organization and this campus unique. Agricenter is a special place that has hosted tens of millions of people over the years "a Farm in the City".
Agricenter International has a rich history in advancing agricultural research and education. As the world continues to explore how the latest in technology, production practices, and conservation work together to achieve a well-fed population and healthier planet, we aim to be at the forefront of helping build solutions to today's challenges and educating producers and communities near and far about the big picture of agriculture today.
Photographer
We have one of the best coming to be the official photographer of the race. Jenny El Tee is bringing her photography talent to get the best shots of all runners and their race experience. Her work has been featured multiple times on the front cover of Ultra Running Magazine (March 2023 and November 2021) and being published numerous times with photos and articles in the magazine, including the Mamba 100 (March 2024 issue). So your photo from the Viper races just might make it in Ultra Running magazine!
For More Information
For more information join these pages:
Facebook Private Group: Mamba Trail Runners (this page is packed with information from group challenges to a runner's bio.)
Instagram: Mamba Trail Runners and Mamba__XT
Youtube: Mamba Trail Runners
Event's current local time: 6:18 AM CT
