The Hilbilly Hustle
The Hillbilly Hustle is making it's return Sunday, May 17th, 2026 in Nanaimo, BC. Originally conceived by local yeehaw, Jason Wright, during the pandemic, the race brought together the Nanaimo area running community while the world went quiet and races got cancelled. With help from some of Jay's friends, they are bringing it back to a city that has been hungry to host an ultramarathon on our local mountain, Te'tuxwtun (Mount Benson). A 17k and 35k trail race will also be an option for runners and hikers not ready to tackle the full 50km.
50k early bird price : $165 untill Dec 15th
Price jumps to $180
35k early bird $120 untill Dec 15th
price jump to $140
17k early bird price : $65 untill Dec 15th
Price jumps to $85
An additional $5 will be added to all registrations as a donation to the Nanaimo Mountain Bike Club for trail maintenance.
50K INFO
**START TIME 7:00 AM**
50K COURSE MAP & ELEVATION PROFILE
https://www.strava.com/routes/3218779355160819296
***** For reference only actual course may have slight variations on race day *****
Starting from Westwood Lake park, the 50k course will follow some of the nicest trails Vancouver Island has to offer which will put runners over the summits of Te'tuxw'tun (Mt.Benson) twice. The Hillbilly Hustle is a mountain race featuring 2800m of elevation gain, run on a mix of single track trail, double track, service road and bluffs.
There will be 5 aid stations on course at 8k, 19k, 25k, 32k and 39k for runners to top up fluids and refuel along the way. Given the locations of the aid stations there will be no crew access on course with the exception of the station set up on the summit of Te'tuxw'tun. Runners will pass through here twice, so if your crew is keen to make the hike up then they can see you at the top. Drop Bags are available at the 36k mark.
50k CUTOFF TIMES
Aid Station #2 - 4hrs (11:00am)
Aid Station #3 - 6 hrs (1:00pm)
Aid Station #4 - 7hrs (2:00pm)
Aid Station #5 - 10hrs (5:00pm)
35k
start time 8:00 am
For those who want more than 17k but don't want to tackle the full 50k, we have a fantastic option for. The 35k route gets you a mountain experience with a few less kms and alot less questioning your life decisions as you only summit Te'tuxw'tun once. Following the 50k route you will have 3 aid stations on route at 8k, 19k and 25k.
35k cutoffs
Aid station #2 - 4 hours
Aid station #3 - 6 hours
17k INFO
17k COURSE MAP & ELEVATION PROFILE
**START TIME 8:00 AM**
https://www.strava.com/routes/3186344826327170646
The 17k route is no small feat, boasting close to 1000m of vert. Participants will follow a beautiful single track trail from Westwood and head up the main trail to the summit of Te'tuxw'tun "the Grandmother of all the surrounding mountains". After refueling at the aid station on the top, runners will make there way back down the extremely technical main trail and hop back on some fast and flowy single track before finishing off on the groomed Westwood Lake trail and into the knee stompin' Hillbilly finish line party. With a generous 8 hour cutoff, the short course should be suitable for both beginner trail runners and sure footed hikers alike.
CUTOFF TIME OF 8 HOURS
Send questions to hillbillyhustle50@gmail.com