LOUDONVILLE — The Mohican 100 Trail Run just keeps getting bigger and better.

The 29th edition of the annual suffer-fest begins before the sun comes up Saturday morning when about 200 foolhardy 100-milers spill onto the course in and around Mohican State Park at 5 a.m. Another 200 or so runners competing in the 50 mile run begin at 6 a.m., and the Mohican trail marathon starts at noon.

Race director Ryan O’Dell has been on the job since 2006. The event has seen explosive growth since then.

“It never ceases to amaze me,” O’Dell said while attending to last-minute preparations Wednesday. “In 2005, the race was the USATF (USA Track & Field) 100-mile national championship and I think there were 155 runners. Since then, we’ve added the 50-mile and marathon distances.

“If you look at the runner registration map now, it looks like a bomb went off. We have runners coming in from all over the country.”

Last year’s event drew 756 participants and O’Dell expects a similar turnout this year. All those runners — and their friends and family — have to stay and eat somewhere.

“I don’t know exactly what the economic impact is, but they pump a lot of money into the local economy,” O’Dell said. “The campgrounds and area hotels and restaurants see a bump in business.”

This year’s event coincides with Father’s Day weekend, traditionally a busy time in Mohican Country. That could lead to some parking headaches.

“It’s Father’s Day weekend and the weather is supposed to be nice. The canoe liveries haven’t been able to send people down the river the last few weekends and it looks like they will have great weather this weekend,” said O’Dell, who encouraged spectators to follow parking signs to available lots. “It’s kind of the perfect storm. It’s going to be a huge weekend.”

Ashland’s University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center has partnered with the race for the first time this year.

“We will have a doctor on call the entire time,” O’Dell said. “We want participants to be safe.”

Also new this year is a free runner tracking system provided by ultralive.net.

O’Dell was quick to thank all of the race personnel and volunteers for their help.

“None of this would be possible without all of our staff and volunteers,” O’Dell said. “We have a communications team that has been in place for all 29 years.

“This is probably the least stressed I’ve been before a race and it’s because of all the wonderful people who help make it happen.”