Beast of Burden 2026

Description

Ozark Off-Road Cyclist and the Ozark Trail Runners unite to create the most epic 24 25 hour party you’ve ever experienced. Profits from this “race” will go to continued preservation and trail development on Mt. Kessler. Join us on November 2nd, Mt. Kessler – Fayetteville, Arkansas for a full day of partying in the dirt. Individuals or teams will take on the challenge to ride or run from 12pm on Saturday to 12pm on Sunday, thanks to daylight savings time, you get an extra hour for free!

The “Race” – 24 (+ 1 hour for free) hours of either mtb or trail running madness, or....BOTH! The team/solo individual with the most laps wins.

The Course - The course will be comprised of 2 separate loops, with participants rotating loops every 6 hours. Runners and riders will be on their own separate loops to minimize congestion. Each loop is roughly 4-6 miles long. One loop is easy, one loop will have you dreaming cozy warmth of the campfire.

The Teams* – Teams must have a team captain (primary contact). Teams are either fully bike or fully run, or dual sport and comprised of 2-4 participants on the Ultra team or 5-7 participants on the Endurance team (dual sport teams can have up to 8). You choose how much you want to work. Go for the win, or occasionally exert yourself and spend the rest of the time throwing back Fossil Cove’s tasty beverages. 1 person does 90% of the work or split it evenly. It’s up to you! Each team will receive one timing chip (triathlon style band) that can only be exchanged in the Campout Zone.

Note that run/ride teams will have 2 timing chips, one can only used for running and one only for riding. So, it is possible run/ride teams to have two participants on the course at one time, but only one of each discipline.

*You can also choose to participate solo, but remember, no one asked you to do this.

The Party – Let’s be honest, the whole thing is the party, but since you asked. Dinner and breakfast provided. Trailside Coffee starting at when the bell tolls 12. Bumping tunes. Team Spirit competition. Fire pits burning through the night and more to come. Also, Rise Physical Therapy will keeping participants feeling fresh and limber, while Phat Tire will be keeping them bikes uh' rollin',