What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — January 13

Headlining What’s Up in Ultra on our UltraRunning Calendar this weekend is the fabled HURT 100 in Hawaii, a much faster 100-miler in Florida and a long-standing 50k in the Pacific Northwest, among many others. 

In Honolulu, Hawaii, we start the weekend at the 23rd HURT 100 beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, January 13. This notoriously challenging multiple-loop course features nearly 30,000 feet of elevation gain and loss on the island of O‘ahu. The race is known for its grueling terrain and stunningly scenic course, offering views of the coastline as well as the Pacific Ocean. Read: Rain Returns to HURT by Stan Jensen. Check out live tracking and live streaming here. The HURT 100 is our very first Old School Ultra of 2024.

The Long Haul 100-miler at Colt Creek State Park in Lakeland, Florida, is almost completely flat in comparison. The course consists of six, 16.6-mile loops taking racers through longleaf pine flatwoods, thick cypress domes and open park vistas. The 5,000-acre park in central Florida is home to many species of plants and animals including bald eagles, white-tailed deer, American alligators and otters. Read: Getting Answers at the Long Haul 100 by Gary Dudney. There are still 18 spots left, and you can register here.

In the Pacific Northwest, we have the Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival 50k in Bellevue, Washington, also on Saturday. Run solo or as a relay, this is an afternoon and evening race beginning at 3 p.m., made up of six, 5.2-mile loops at Bridle Trails State Park. Some sections of the trail are rough, rutted and muddy. Expect to get dirty and run in the dark, so bring your headlamp. Registration is open here.

Also happening this weekend is the Bandera 50/100k in Bandera, Texas, the Swamp Stomper 50k in Millington, Tennessee, the Ouachita Switchbacks 50k in Big Cedar, Oklahoma, the Triple D Winter Race 50k in Dubuque, Iowa, the San Diego 50-miler in Escondido, California, the Shippey Endurance Runs 40-miler/100k/100-miler in High Ridge, Missouri, and the Frigid Fox Ultra Trek 63-miler in Campbell Sport, Wisconsin. 

Are you racing elsewhere this weekend? Let us know by leaving a comment below and happy trails wherever you’re headed.