Schedule and packet pickup
Schedule
Friday, October 16th, 2026. 11:30pm Packet Pickup @Point A. 11:53pm Rule + Requirement Briefing. 11:59pm Race Start. 3:15am Race Cutoff. 3:16am Emergency Contacts Called and Cops Sent Out! (Don't be late.).
MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED 2026
- Date
- Friday, October 16, 2026
- Start time
- 11:59 PM start (Chicago)
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri
- Entry fee
- From $65
- Fundraising
- Takes optional donations when you register
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Events and entry fees
| Event | Distance | When | Entry fee | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-Marathon-ish | Half Marathon | Oct 16, 202611:59 PM | $65 | 55 |
Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.
Race day planning
Entry fee schedule
- $65 until Oct 17.
Online registration closes Oct 17, 2026, unless the race fills first.
How the price compares
At $65, entry is about the same as a typical half marathon in Missouri ($65).
What a typical finish looks like
A typical finisher at a half marathon in Springfield runs 2:16:04, about 10:23 a mile, based on 9 races with published results. Women typically finish in 2:20:49 and men in 2:08:12.
Light and altitude
Sunrise on race morning is at about 7:20 AM, and the Half-Marathon-ish starts at 11:59 PM. The start sits about 1,310 feet above sea level.
Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.
Start location and course
Point A & B will be released the week of the race, Springfield, MO 65804
The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. The organizers have not shared a course map with us yet.
2025 results
All results (2 years)35
finishers
3:05:16
median (14:08 /mi)
2:07:41
winning time
46% / 54%
women / men
Aggregated from official results (Heartland Racing Co) for MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED. Individual finisher names are not stored here.
How fast do you need to be at MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED?
In 2025, the fastest tenth finished in 2:34:43 or better, the top quarter in 2:54:46, and half the field in 3:05:16; the last tenth came in after 3:42:05.
| Age | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|
| 20-29 | 2:55:08 | 2:32:25 |
Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.
What would my time get me?
Where a finish time would have placed in 2025.
Finishers by year
Down 19 percent since 2024.
43
2024
35
2025
All events combined, from official results.
MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED Half Marathon year by year
From 2024 to 2025, the field went from 43 to 35 finishers, and the median time rose from 2:32:01 to 3:05:16.
| Year | Finishers | Median | Fastest tenth | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 35 (-19%) | 3:05:16 | under 2:34:43 | 2:07:41 |
| 2024 | 43 | 2:32:01 | under 1:55:44 | 1:43:48 |
From each year's official results for the Half Marathon; virtual options are left out.
Typical race-day weather
Around October 16 the day usually runs from 50°F at dawn to 72°F in the afternoon, with measurable rain on about 13% of days. Cold snaps dip to 41°F and hot years reach 80°F.
Based on 75 days within a week of the date over the last 5 years, from historical weather for the start area. Not a forecast.
From the race's page
What the organizers of MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED cover on their registration page, in brief.
Shirt and medal
What You Get. (2026 Image Soon)
We know you aren't in it for the swag because let's be honest, you're an animal and only wear a shirt to weddings and funerals, BUT, you get a couple things with registration: Custom RAT Medal with your very own unique piece of literal…
Rules and FAQ
Rule Stuff
Things you MUST DO: Register, duh. Use a GPS tracking watch from start to finish. Run a minimum of 12 miles. Doesn't matter if you break space and time between point A and B, unless you have hit at minimum 12 miles on your gps tracking…
Race details
- Where
- Point A & B will be released the week of the race, Springfield, MO 65804Map
- Course
- Road
- Start elevation
- About 1,310 feet
- Donations
- Accepted when you register
- Distances
- Half Marathon
- Editions
- 2026 (Oct 17, 2026), 2025 (Oct 25, 2025), 2024 (Oct 26, 2024)
Organize this race? Add details or a correction
Plan your race
Quick answers
- When is MIDNIGHT Rat Race - UNSANCTIONED?
- Friday, October 16, 2026, starting at 11:59 PM.
- How much does it cost?
- Entry starts at $65 before processing fees.
- When does registration close?
- Online registration closes Oct 17, 2026, unless the race fills first.
- Is the entry fee high for Missouri?
- At $65, entry is about the same as a typical half marathon in Missouri ($65).
- Can I donate to a cause when I register?
- Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
- What distances can I run?
- Half Marathon.
- How big is it, and how fast?
- In 2025, 35 runners finished the Half-Marathon-ish; the median finish was 3:05:16 and the winner ran 2:07:41.
- Where does it start?
- Point A & B will be released the week of the race, Springfield, MO 65804.
From the organizers
MIDNIGHT Rat Race UNSANCTIONED
Date: October 16th
Start Time: Friday, 11:59pm
Distance: Approximately 13 miles
Time Limit: 3 hours and 15 minutes
Are you ready for a true test of endurance, speed, and grit? Welcome to the MIDNIGHT Rat Race UNSANCTIONED, an event tailored for the hardcore, the brave, and those seeking an unparalleled challenge. This sucker is not for the faint of heart, losers, or whiners out there.
Race Details:
Start Time: As the clock strikes midnight, the race begins. October 16th marks the date where only the brave will step up to the challenge.