THE DARK: 24 Hours Underground 2026

The Dark: 24 Hours Underground takes place inside the Bellevue Underground Mine. Runners navigate a 250-metre mine shaft for each lap, a departure from typical road or trail races. The total lap distance is 500 metres, covering the shaft out and back. Participants can select a 6-hour, 12-hour, or 24-hour race duration. The objective is to complete as many laps as possible within the chosen time limit or until unable to continue. The shaft features a slight 1% grade and maintains a width of approximately 4 metres for most of its extent, allowing for a close race, though it may become single-file near the old mine car. because of the underground and confined nature of the course, participant entries are limited to 100. The unique environment defines the event's character, incorporating coal-mining history, darkness, repetitive laps, and a small group of runners sharing the same restricted area for an extended period. A portion of the race proceeds benefits the Bellevue Underground Mine.