Run Forrest Ultra Challenge 2027

The Great AmericanCross-Country Stride

It doesn't matter how fast you go, or even where you're going. Just put one foot in front of the other and see how far you can get. Choose your route, earn your antique bronze medal, and travel coast to coast on your own two feet.

Choose your route ↓See the checkpoints
  • 100, 250 or 500 miles
  • Coast-to-coast map
  • Antique bronze medal
  • Go at your own pace
The Great American Cross-Country Stride Ultra Challenge finisher medal

The journey of a lifetime

Grit, patience
and the open road.

A challenge built on perseverance and the simple beauty of a long journey. Here is what keeps you moving all the way to the Pacific.

  • Coast-to-Coast Tracking Map

    Follow your progress from the East Coast lighthouse all the way to the Pacific, unlocking classic cinematic checkpoints as you log miles.

  • Daily Wisdom Prompts

    Short, inspiring and sometimes funny check-ins about life and the open road, to keep you moving on the long stretches.

  • Choose Your Route

    A 100-mile stroll, a 250-mile coast-to-coast or the ultimate 500-mile transcontinental route. Everyone earns the same medal.

Join the journey

Build your
challenge.

Pick your route, choose your pack, and see your bib take shape. Every route earns the same heavy antique bronze finisher medal.

1 Choose your route

No pace, no pressure. Go as far as you can, as fast or as slow as you like.

2 Choose your pack

3 Your details

Your route

From shining sea
to shining sea.

Log your miles and travel across the country from the East Coast lighthouse to the Pacific. The checkpoints scale to the route you choose, so every route reaches every stop.

  1. The Lighthouse Start

    Where every journey begins, on the East Coast shore.

  2. Cornfield Country

    Golden rows stretch to the horizon and the road keeps going.

  3. Monument Valley Road

    Red rock towers rise ahead on one of the most famous roads in the country.

  4. The Mountain Pass

    The climb is steep, the air is thin and the view is worth it.

  5. The Pacific Finish

    Salt air, open water and a medal waiting for you.

Daily check-ins

Words for
the long road.

We send short, inspiring and sometimes funny check-ins about life and the open road, to keep you moving through the long stretches.

  • Some days are fast. Some are slow. All of them count.

    Road note 1

  • You do not have to see the whole road. Just the next mile.

    Road note 2

  • Every long journey is just a lot of small steps with good company.

    Road note 3
Ultra Challenge finisher medal

The medal

Heavy bronze.
Earned the long way.

Whichever route you choose, every finisher earns the same Ultra Challenge medal when they complete their chosen distance.

  • Heavy antique-bronze finish
  • Custom patriotic trail ribbon
  • Ultra Challenge Finisher banner and a runner crossing the map
Choose my route ↑

Good to know

Questions,
answered.

Do I need to be fast?

Not at all. It does not matter how fast you go. Walk, jog or run at your own pace.

Do all routes get the same medal?

Yes. Whether you choose the 100, 250 or 500-mile route, every finisher earns the same antique-bronze Ultra Challenge medal when they complete their chosen distance.

How do the daily check-ins work?

Edit this answer to explain how participants receive their daily wisdom prompts, by email or in the app.

How do I log my miles?

You log your miles on the digital tracking map. Edit this answer with the exact steps and the date your medal ships.

Ready to see
how far you can get?

Lace up, start at the lighthouse and keep one foot in front of the other.

Choose your route ↑