LOViT Endurance Trail Runs

The LOViT Endurance Trail Runs deliver one of the most distinctive ultramarathon experiences in the United States, pairing rugged, technical trail with the quiet beauty of Lake Ouachita, often cited as one of the cleanest lakes in the country. Held February 21 to 22, 2026, at Mountain Harbor Resort’s East Cove Wilderness Pavilion, this nonprofit event offers 100-mile and 100-kilometer distances on the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail, an internationally recognized route with IMBA Epic designation.

With fields capped at roughly 100 runners per distance, LOViT keeps the feel of a local race while still attracting serious talent to its rocky ridgelines.

Where five mountains meet one pristine lake

The course traces the southern rim of 40,000 acre Lake Ouachita, weaving through the Ouachita National Forest across five distinct mountains: Hickory Nut, Little Bear, Bear, Brady, and Blakely. Runners see steady elevation change, often around 100 to 200 feet per mile, stacking up to roughly 40,000 feet of climbing over the 100 mile distance.

The terrain is about 90 percent single track, littered with grapefruit sized rocks, roots, and seasonal creek crossings. This is the kind of trail that rewards patience and footwork as much as fitness, and it has earned an unofficial motto that sums it up well: Ankles of Steel. Iron Will.

Signature challenges punctuate the day. The climb from Denby Bay to Hickory Nut Mountain gains about 900 feet on loose rock, while the Bear Mountain ascent adds another long grind of roughly 1,200 feet. Overlooks such as Hickory Nut Mountain Vista, Traildog Vista, and Eagle Vista Loop pay you back with wide views of the lake and its many islands.

Near the summit of Hickory Nut Mountain, concrete anchors and old survey markers hint at a Forest Service fire tower that once stood there, a small piece of history most runners are too focused to notice.

Aid support is extensive on the 100 mile course, with 22 manned aid stations spaced about 4 miles apart. Key crew access points include Crystal Springs Pavilion at miles 16.5 and 50.5, Brady Mountain Road at miles 27.5 and 39.8, and the turnaround at Avery Recreation Area around mile 32.8. Drop bags are allowed at four designated locations, with the Tompkins Bend station reserved for 100 mile runners.

A trail built by volunteers

To understand LOViT, it helps to know how the trail came to life. The Lake Ouachita Vista Trail grew out of a long volunteer effort from 2002 to 2014. The LOViT Traildogs, a group of about 30 dedicated volunteers led by founders Jerry Shields and Al Gathright, hand built 39 miles of continuous trail linking six resorts and six Army Corps of Engineers recreation areas along the shoreline.

The first race in 2014 served as both a celebration and a fundraiser, with proceeds helping complete the final segments. That grassroots spirit still defines the weekend.

Race directors Dustin and Rachel Speer operate Run LOViT as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Registration fees are typically modest for the level of support, around $175 for the 100K and $275 for the 100 Mile, and finishers receive custom awards, including a buckle and jacket for the 100 mile and a medal for the 100K. Registration closes February 18, 2026, while a January 26 deadline is tied to guaranteed swag and personalized bibs.

Elite performances on unforgiving terrain

LOViT is famous for how its technical trail rewards experience over raw speed. Legendary ultrarunner Karl Meltzer set a long standing benchmark on this course, and more recent results show just how fast the right runner can move on this rugged route. In February 2025, Jeff Browning ran 17:56:52, a standout time for this course and age group.

On the women’s side, notable course bests include Bee Miller at 21:45:41 for the 100 mile in 2023 and Jenny Stipp at 11:03:55 for the 100K in 2024. Other strong age group performances include Ashley Nordell at 20:14:37 in 2025 and Preston Cates with a men’s 100K record of 8:12:15 from 2021.

The event also carries a Trail Sisters Approved designation, reflecting an emphasis on being welcoming and inclusive for women runners.

Mountain Harbor Resort anchors the weekend

The race is based at Mountain Harbor Resort at 994 Mountain Harbor Road, a 900 acre property founded in 1955 and now run by a third generation family team. The East Cove Wilderness Pavilion serves as race headquarters, with a covered outdoor setup that makes check in and finish line logistics feel relaxed and communal.

Lodging ranges from guest rooms around $131 per night to luxury log cottages around $326 per night, including options with hot tubs, fireplaces, and full kitchens. Pet friendly rooms typically include an added nightly fee. Tent camping is also available near the start and finish area, with bathroom and shower access.

One practical note: the property is in a dry county, and the nearest liquor store is about 7 miles east toward Hot Springs.

The resort also makes a strong base for recovery. Turtle Cove Spa has been recognized among top spa lists and offers treatments designed for sore legs, including a hot stone massage that highlights Arkansas quartz crystals. The marina is a major feature of the property, renting tritoons, fishing boats, kayaks, and paddleboards, and it is also known for a Floating Subway that operates seasonally.

Late February conditions and race rules

Late February can bring big swings in temperature. Typical patterns suggest cold starts in the low 30s Fahrenheit at the 6:00 AM start, with afternoons that can climb much higher. Rain is always possible, and some years have included long stretches of steady precipitation. Ice can also show up on service roads early in the morning.

Sunrise is around 6:45 AM and sunset near 6:00 PM, which means all participants run in the dark at some point, and 100 milers will likely face a second night.

Mandatory gear includes a way to carry water and a headlamp with backup batteries. The race enforces aid station cutoffs and overall time limits of 34 hours for the 100 mile, ending 4:00 PM Sunday, and 21 hours for the 100K, ending 3:00 AM Sunday.

Pacers join at designated points, generally around mile 36 for the 100K and mile 42 for the 100 mile. Runners age 60 and older may request early pacer permission from the Race Director.

Beyond the finish line: make a weekend of it

The surrounding region is worth exploring if you can keep your legs moving. Mount Ida, often called the Quartz Crystal Capital of the World, sits about 12 miles east. Wegner Quartz Crystal Mines offers paid digs where visitors can keep what they find, making it an easy, memorable stop.

Hot Springs, about 32 miles east, offers Bathhouse Row, a collection of historic bathhouses where you can still soak in thermal waters. Buckstaff Bathhouse has operated continuously since 1912, and Quapaw Baths and Spa offers a modern take on the tradition. Superior Bathhouse Brewery is notable for being a brewery inside a national park and for using thermal spring water in its beers.

Lake Ouachita State Park, about 20 miles from Mountain Harbor, offers the Caddo Bend Trail, a 4 mile loop with quartz outcrops, boulder gardens, and viewpoints. Winter eagle watch tours can also be available during the February season.

Practical details for race weekend

Packet pickup at the East Cove Building typically runs Friday from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM and Saturday from 4:45 AM to 5:30 AM, with a mandatory pre-race meeting at 5:30 AM.

Parking is in gravel lots near the gate to East Cove Pavilion. Runners should avoid parking beyond posted no-parking signs since the course follows Clubhouse Road directly from the venue.

The 100K cap is 100 participants, which may result in a waitlist. Registration is handled through UltraSignup, with no qualification requirements, though organizers warn that this terrain requires thorough preparation.

Medical costs and any search and rescue expenses remain the runner’s responsibility. The nearest emergency room is CHI St. Vincent in Hot Springs.

Dining on site can simplify logistics. The Lodge Restaurant at Mountain Harbor typically reopens in early February for weekend service; availability for race weekend should be confirmed. The menu is built around hearty comfort food, and room service can be a welcome perk for tired finishers.

Crossing The Finishing Line

The LOViT Endurance Trail Runs sit in a rare sweet spot: technical enough to test elite ultrarunners, yet intimate enough to preserve the community spirit of a volunteer built trail and a nonprofit race. The late February timing brings fewer crowds and a quieter lake, plus the bonus of a great recovery region nearby.

If you want an authentic wilderness ultra with serious trail underfoot and a finish line that feels like a community gathering, LOViT is the kind of weekend you will remember long after the buckle or medal is packed away.