The Ultimate SUCK

Join us this year 2026 for our 15th Anniversary on the Decker Farm. This will be a very challenging and somewhat grueling 36, 12 or 4 hour event. Our goal is to combine strenuous Mid-Western farm chores with military boot camp, trail running, strongman training, and whatever else somewhat punishing we can come up with. Think of it as Conan the Barbarian meets Full Metal Jacket with a dash of Deliverance mixed in for fun!

You may want to get familiar with shooting a shot gun, carrying hay or logs, lifting, chopping wood, carrying all kinds of heavy stuff. Plus, you may want to experience the effects of pepper spray!haha...Again these are all JUST possibilities and the actual tasks will not be revealed until you encounter them at the event.

Base camp will be your tent in a hay field. No RVs or buses please! You are NOT allowed to sleep once the event begins.

REQUIRED GEAR: (list may change closer to the event)

• Ruck Sack / Backpack - I personally recommend a 60 liter / 3500 cubic inch
• Camelbak hydration plus pack - recommend 70 - 100 oz
• Splitting axe (12 & 36hr ONLY) 
• Two x 5 gallon buckets (NO MODIFICATIONS)
• Guys 2 x 50lb sandbags - Gals 2 x 35lb sandbags (HOMEMADE, NO MODIFICATIONS)
• Guys age 65+ 2 x 35lb sandbags - Gals age 65+ 2 x 20lb sandbags (HOMEMADE, NO MODIFICATIONS)
• Military Duffle Bag (this will be filled with 1/2 your body weight) - 36hr ONLY (NO HANDLES)
• Life jacket
• Headlamp plus spare batteries
• Safety glasses 
• Emergency blanket
• Reflective Vest

RECOMMENDED GEAR:

• Wetsuit Top - highly recommend
• Trail Shoes
• Work gloves
• Workout gear
• Rain gear
• Plenty of food & water
• Tent & sleeping gear - suggested, just in case you drop
• Insect & Chigger repellent
• Roll of duct tape
• Suggested - poison ivy/oak remedy & first aid kit

RULE: CREWS/PACERS - to avoid any perceived or actual advantage of having a crew on the course with you, the rule for this year is: no crews/pacers, etc. are allowed on the course with the racers until hour 24 of the event or 7 PM on Saturday. You are on your own until then. At 7 PM Saturday you are allowed ONE pacer on the course with you at any given time for the last 12 hours. They CAN NOT assist you beyond your designated campsite in any way, meaning no bringing your food/water, no holding or carrying anything for you, etc. If you are caught violating this rule it will most likely be immediate disqualification. Also, they are allowed to take care of you at your campsite ONLY. They can not assist you on the course or in the check-in area. This is to avoid a cluster f*ck around check-in & the camp fire. Please understand we're not trying to be a**holes just trying to make it a very level playing field. Pretty sure that since you signed up for this event that you won't have any problems with these rules. 

*CHECK-IN - Friday, September 4th opens at 2pm and closes at 5:00pm. Mandatory pre-race brief at 5:30pm. You will want to be sure you show up with enough time to weigh and check your gear list. Don’t be late! 

Please understand that you are registering for this event and agree to Gut Check Fitness, LLC policy that there are NO REFUNDS and/or TRANSFERS. You are ready to make the commitment to train, work hard, stay focused then show up and 'Embrace the SUCK'.

After the event we will have a bonfire, breakfast and a great time. Hope you can join us at "The Decker Farm".

The The Ultimate SUCK brings an exciting Ultra, 40.2K, 16.1K to Cuba, Illinois on September 4, 2026. Don't miss this beautiful event!