Lake Vian Hilltop Run

Finishers within their selected distance receive a finisher medal. Hundred mile finishers receive a finisher buckle.

When you select a distance, you are entering into a mutual agreement with with the race. You are committing to finish your selected distance and provide the funding for those corresponding products and services. The race is committing to order your selected distance medal, shirt size, race bib, and provide services. Many of these elements on the race side of things must happen weeks and months in advance.  Therefore, "dropping down," to a shorter distance after race start, does not guarantee you will receive a finisher medal in that distance. Make sure that you are prepared to finish your selected distance by training early, consistently, wisely so that you can finish.  

Top 3 humans in each distance receive an Overall Top 3 Podium award. We do not award top 3 female and top 3 male, because our results have shown that both genders are equally capable of outstanding mental and physical performance.

Participants starting a race but not finishing the intended distance will be listed as a DNF at the bottom of the results for their registered distance. Runners may not be “dropped down” to a shorter distance once they start a race, and will not appear as finishers of the shorter distance. Participants may switch distances before the start of their race and will be eligible as a finisher in that event. There are no refunds for the difference in registration cost when switching to a shorter distance prior to event start.  

DNF: Runners starting a race but not finishing the intended distance, in the intended order as marked, and under the official cutoffs,will be listed as a DNF at the bottom of the results for their registered distance.

DQ: Runners must complete the course in its intended order, as marked by race officials. Any deviation from or cutting of the course may result in a timing penalty or even disqualification. Additionally, runners who are found to be excessively rude to race personnel, volunteers, or others may also be considered for disqualification. We believe in fostering a respectful and supportive race environment, and these rules are in place to uphold that. 

Dropdowns: Runners may not be “dropped down” to a shorter distance once they have started a race and will not appear as finishers of the shorter distance. Runners may switch distances before the start of their race and will be eligible as a finisher in the updated race distance. There are no refunds for the difference in registration cost when switching to a shorter distance prior to event start. Drop downs do not qualify for Top 3 Podium awards or place rank. 

For 2026: We do not allow early starts. You have one year to train to get your time below 32 hours for ultras, 30 hours for Saturday start sub-ultra, and 6 hours for Sunday starts. You can do it!

Get a Hilltop Doubler hat when you sign up for both a Saturday and Sunday event. This does not include an event that begins Saturday and ends Sunday. This is for two separate event registrations. One event Saturday, and one event Sunday. For instance, a half marathon on Saturday and a 4 miler on Sunday. It is also possible to complete a longer distance event that is expected to start Saturday and carry over into Sunday, AND also do a Sunday event. An example of this would be a 100k that begins Saturday and goes in the early morning hours of Sunday, and then a 4 miler on Sunday. This would be 62 + 4 miles. The additional 4 miles are not concurrent. The 4 miles are consecutive for a total of 66 miles. Both must be completed by the Sunday 2pm cutoff. WHEN YOU SIGN UP FOR A SATURDAY EVENT AND A SUNDAY EVENT, THE SUNDAY SHIRT WILL BE MANUALLY CHANGED TO A HAT. YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE 2 SHIRTS AS WAS THE CASE AT THE 2025 EVENT.

For 2026: Marathoners will do the Extra Magic loop (.5 mile) on their first lap only. Then all remaining 12 loops will be on the standard 2 mile loop for a total distance of 26.5 miles. The 2025 distance was 28 miles. Thanks to the Timer Guys for making this suggested course change. Elevation for the marathon will be slightly different than what is currently shown on the chart. Chart will be updated soon.

Course is a mix of asphalt walking trail and dirt trails. Asphalt is in black, dirt is in brown. Very little of the dirt trail is technical. The direction will be clockwise for the duration of all event distances. Elevation is significantly less than the 2024 course. There is only 75’ of elevation per mile. Twisted Nut trail goes right next to a creek bed that the kids tend to enjoy. 

The Extra Magic Loop Add-on is a bonus section .5 miles long. Marathoners will do this add-on on their first loop only.  Then they will proceed to doing standard 2-mile loops for the remainder of the race.

This is an optional section for everyone else. It will not be reflected in your distance with the Timer Guys, but kudos to you because it will still show up on your watch or phone. The Extra Magic loop will be marked with signage. It will appear for a limited time, and then disappear. This will happen once on Saturday and once on Sunday. What magic awaits in 2026? You'll have to be there to find out.

Photography is provided as part of the trail family reunion experience. They're free for download, social media sharing, and personal printing. Mile 90 Photography took pictures at our 2025 event. Link to 2026 photos coming soon. Also check Facebook for the link. Check out our previous photo albums by Arnold Begay Photography: 2024, 2023, 2022

Registration comes with a shirt. Make sure you sign up by 2/9/26 for a guaranteed shirt.

For 2026: Unisex only sizes. We tried offering women's and kids sizing in 2025, but there were so few interested that we are going back to unisex shirts only.

Our children are our future and our present. We're all about providing positive experiences at an early age that lead to lifelong healthy habits. We love seeing families making memories too. Each parent entry comes with one free child (age 15 or under) entry. This applies to live events only, and does not include virtual. Please direct message us if you are interested.

Huge thanks to the Outlaw Trail Series for leading the way on this. When we saw that they do this, we knew it was the right thing to do. Check out their events at https://outlaw100.com for more family experiences. 

Registration may be deferred by 2/25/2026, the Wednesday leading up to the event. 

Lake Vian Hilltop Run is located at Vian City Lake Walking Trail. Coming from the south, the 4-way stop in downtown Vian, travel north on Highway 82 for 2 miles. Coming from the north, from the T of Highway 100 and 82 at McQuicks gas station, travel south on Highway 82 for 7 miles. Overflow parking is at Armstrong Park .7 miles south on Highway 82. If you have family or friends not participating in the event, you may want them to drop you off at the race site before going to overflow parking. The walk on paved trails from overflow parking to the race site is .75 miles. Just keep left on all paved trails if walking from overflow to the race site. 

Packet pickup is located at the big pavilion near the start/finish line. Early packet pickup will be available Friday 12-6pm, and later if we can find a volunteer to work a later packet pickup shift.  Race day packet pickup is available 5am-8am Saturday, and 7am-8am Sunday. Ultra distance events begin 6am Saturday. Sub-ultra Saturday distances begin at 8pm Saturday. Sub-ultra Sunday events begin 8am Sunday. All Saturday and Sunday events have a 2pm Sunday cutoff.

Self-supported Aid Stations. You may choose to use your vehicle as a self-supported aid station, or you may set up a popup tent near the race course. There are 4 designated areas for self-supported aid stations highlighted in pink.

The official event aid station will be located near the start/finish.  

For 2026: More porta potties. Porta potties will be available Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. 

Bounce house is available both Saturday and Sunday. Please note that the bounce house is contingent upon weather and wind.

Camping at Vian City Lake is allowed for this specific event. This is not something that Town of Vian typically allows. While there are no spots for campfires, Town of Vian is providing us with 2 fire pits. There are a few permanent camp grills located throughout the park. You are welcome to bring a camp stove. There are not RV hookups at the race site, but there are several RV parks in the area, and a Love’s RV stop right off of the Interstate 40 Vian exit.  You are welcome to car camp or pitch a tent. 

Hilltop does not happen without volunteers. Volunteers applied for grant money to build the trails. Volunteers helped with training runs leading up to this event. We need volunteers. We have everything from helping with setup, packet pickup, course marshaling, aid station, and pack out. Join our team of magic makers. Sign up today as a volunteer for Lake Vian Hilltop Run by clicking on the Volunteer tab above. 

Animals must remain on a leash at all times during event, event setup, event teardown, and while camping before or after the event.

Participants dropping from an event must notify the Race Director, timing company, or one of its representatives prior to leaving the race site. 

Other Events Directed by the Isaac Barnoskie:

Tenkiller Overlook 11/16/2024

Beaver Fire Tower Half 2/1/2025

Spark in the Dark 7/3/2025

Peak to Creek 2026