About This Race
The Viper 300 series represents one of the most ambitious ultrarunning challenges in the American South, offering distances from 25K to 300 miles across a single multi-day event. Set within Memphis's expansive Shelby Farms Park, this race tests runners on a 33.4-mile loop course that combines paved paths with technical single-track trails winding through lakes, woodlands, and wildlife areas where runners share the trail with deer and buffalo. The race format spans six days in March, with staggered starts allowing runners to choose their level of commitment. The 300-mile option begins on Monday morning with a 137-hour time limit, while shorter distances start later in the week, including a unique Friday the 13th night race for the 53K distance. The loop design provides strategic advantages, passing crew-accessible aid stations twice per lap and allowing runners to use their parked vehicles as personal aid stations. This event attracts runners seeking to push beyond conventional ultra distances in a well-supported environment. The race provides sleeping stations with cots, blankets, and pillows at key aid stations, acknowledging the multi-day nature of the longer distances. With limited field sizes and comprehensive support infrastructure, Viper 300 offers an accessible entry point into extreme-distance running while maintaining the serious challenge that defines the sport's outer limits.
The 33.4-mile loop course at Shelby Farms Park offers a strategic mix of terrain designed for efficient ultra-distance running. Runners traverse paved paths and technical single-track trails that wind through the park's lakes, wooded areas, and open spaces, with regular wildlife encounters including deer and buffalo adding to the trail's character.
The loop format provides tactical advantages for long-distance efforts, with runners passing their parked vehicles twice per lap for gear changes and personal aid. Key aid stations are positioned at miles 10.8, 20.8, 27.0, and 33.4, with the TDW Aid Station accessed twice per loop, offering multiple opportunities for resupply and rest during the longer distances.
Location
Aid Stations
3 stations along the course
Refuge Unmanned Water Station
water
Crew access during daylight hours Monday-Thursday, 24-hour access Friday-Saturday
TDW Aid Station
water, electrolyte, food
Sleep station with cots, pillow, and blanket. Accessed twice per loop at miles 20.8 and 27.0
Hyde Lake Aid Station
water, electrolyte, food
Start/Finish line location with sleep station including cots, pillow, and blanket
Practical Info
March weather in Memphis typically features mild temperatures with potential for rain, requiring runners to prepare for variable spring conditions.
MEM - Memphis International Airport
Memphis offers numerous hotel options near the airport and downtown, with Shelby Farms Park located in the Cordova area providing convenient access to the race venue.
Best For
Notable Features
The Viper 300 series stands out for its multi-distance format spanning six days, allowing runners to choose from 25K to 300 miles within a single event. The unique loop design at Shelby Farms Park provides strategic advantages with twice-per-lap vehicle access and comprehensive sleeping facilities at aid stations. The Friday the 13th night race adds an atmospheric element to the 53K distance, while wildlife encounters with deer and buffalo create memorable trail experiences throughout the event.