As we move into full-fledged spring conditions, the eastern half of the North American racing scene is coming in hot on our UltraRunning Calendar. It’s really special to see so many well-established races continue each season.
Kicking off the festivities is the 31st Annual Ouachita Trail 50k/50m in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Saturday, April 9. Running along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail within the 2,356-acre Pinnacle Mountain State Park, the scenic yet challenging rocky single track highlights both of these courses at the oldest Arkansas Ultra Running Association event.
In Clifton, Virginia, we have the 28th Annual Bull Run Run 50-miler going down on the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail in northern Virginia. The course traverses forested, rolling terrain during the height of Virginia’s spring beauty with the bluebells expected to be popping. With a reasonable entry fee of $95 and a 13-hour time limit, the Bull Run Run is an excellent choice for your first 50-miler.
The 22nd Annual Potawatomi Trail Runs at the exquisite John T. McNaughton Park in Pekin, Illinois, has a race distance for every ultrarunner. The 10-mile loop consists mostly of single track, some wide-open prairies, several water crossings and endless rolling hills with approximately 1,600 feet of elevation gain per lap. Choose from 30, 50, 100, 150 or 200-mile race distances at this crew-friendly ultra, starting on Saturday, April 9 and continuing well into Sunday.
Oklahoma’s Oldest trail race, the Lake McMurtry Run 50/100k in Stillwater, Oklahoma is also entering its 22nd year. With its gorgeous scenery, beginner-friendly rolling trails and endless lake views, there’s no wonder this yearly tradition continues to roll on.
Out West and close to the UltraRunning Magazine headquarters, we have the 20th Annual Peterson Ridge Rumble 40-Miler on Sunday, April 10, in Sisters, Oregon. I ran this race last year as well as our most recent podcast guest Keely Henninger, and can say without a doubt that this is one of the best races in the Pacific Northwest. Put on by regular URM columnist and veteran ultrarunner Sean Meissner, the course features beautiful, runnable single track with views of the Cascade Mountains and a fun finish on the track at Sisters Middle School. There is even a set of hurdles at the finish for those left with enough leg power.
Other races of note on our calendar include the Zion 100 50k/100k/100-miler in Virgin, Utah, the Lake Sonoma 50-miler in Healdsburg, California, and the 23rd Annual Diez Vista 50k in Port Moody, British Columbia, all on Saturday, April 9.
Let us know What’s Up In Ultra in your community this weekend or later this month by leaving a note below. If you’re looking for something fun to start training for, look no further than our robust calendar—it has something to light your ultra fire, guaranteed.
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The Mountains-to-Sea 50k Challenge will be held Sunday at Falls Lake in Raleigh, NC. This will be the 13th annual running, and I’ll be there! https://bullcityrunning.com/our-races/mst/
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