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Happy lottery weekend to all you Hardrock and Western States hopefuls. May luck be on your side and you hear your name called on Saturday. But if not, don’t fret. There are many other amazing ultramarathons to choose from. If you haven’t planned your 2025 race schedule yet, the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar is a great place to start. You can search by location, distance, elevation gain, field size and more. This week’s calendar includes over 50 races across North America, with featured events in Texas, Georgia, Arizona and Virginia.
Brazos Bend 100
We kick off this week’s What’s Up in Ultra in Needville, Texas, for the Brazos Bend 100 (100-miler and 100k). First run in 2014, the flat and fast event (the largest hill is only 10 feet high) attracts speedsters and veterans looking to set a PR and ultrarunning newbies attempting to cover the distance for the first time. Both races begin on Saturday at Brazos Bend State Park just south of Houston, where runners are likely to spot a variety of wildlife including birds, snakes, hogs, deer and commonly, the American alligator. While the local gators aren’t known to dine on endurance athletes, race officials still warn not to provoke the toothy reptiles that can out-shuffle even the fastest runner, with a top speed upwards of 35 miles per hour. The 100-mile runners will have 32 hours to run six 16.7-mile laps (30 hours to earn a Western States qualifier), and 100k participants have 31.5 hours to run three laps (plus one shorter lap).
Pine Mountain Trail Run
Our next stop is Pine Mountain, Georgia, for UltraRunning Magazine’s last Old School Ultra of 2024, the Pine Mountain Trail Run (40-miler). Celebrating its 44th season, Pine Mountain Trail Run takes place in the scenic 9,049-acre F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Georgia’s largest state park, where former President Roosevelt would often picnic while undergoing therapy for polio at nearby Warm Springs. This year’s event will take place on Sunday at the “Liberty Bell” park area, where runners will attempt to complete an out-and-back course (with a loop in the middle and at the end) totaling just over 6,500 of elevation gain and descent. Along the way, runners must navigate rocky and technical trails, lots of rolling hills, stream crossings and unpredictable weather, with historical temperatures ranging from the 30s to the 70s. The Old School event is hosted by the Georgia Ultrarunning and Trailrunning Society (GUTS), whose mission is whose mission is “to encourage and promote trail and long-distance running.”
McDowell Mountain Frenzy
Heading out to the Sonoran Desert and Mesa, Arizona, we drop in on the McDowell Mountain Frenzy (50-mile and 50k races). First run in 2010, McDowell Mountain Frenzy is the perfect winter race for runners looking to escape cabin fever and get some vitamin D on challenging and beautiful single-track desert trails. Both events take place in McDowell Mountain Regional Park, just northeast of Phoenix. The 50-mile runners will have 16 hours to complete a modified loop course featuring 7,026 feet of climbing, while 50k participants will get 15 hours to navigate 3,020 feet of elevation gain. Additional race highlights include well-stocked aid stations, post-race treats and a charity beer garden where you can socialize with fellow runners.
Wildcard: Devil Dog Ultras
In this week’s Wildcard Race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with, we journey to Triangle, Virginia, for the Devil Dog Ultras (100-mile, 100k and 50k). This race caught my attention for several reasons. First, it’s run by a self-proclaimed “strange and happy (and very experienced) group of trail running weirdos” with a humorous website posing the question to pacers and crews: “So you’re going to spend the night tending to a grumpy runner who turns into a colicky toddler at 3 a.m.?” Second, the race takes place across the street from Marine Corps Base Quantico and is named out of respect for the Marine Corps. All events take place in Prince William Forest Park on mostly single-track trails with occasional rocks and roots. The 100-milers will have 32 hours to complete five loops through the park (10,300 feet of elevation gain), 100k runners have 20 hours to finish three loops (6,300 feet) and 50k entrants have 9 hours to finish 1.5 loops (3,239 feet). Awards will be presented to the top finishers as well as special recognition for various categories including top retired and active-duty military finishers, and “the Mayo award,” presented to a runner or crew who goes out of their way to help someone else out on the course. The RDs also joke (I think) that 10-time finishers will also receive a puppy.
Other events this weekend include Ray Miller 50/50 (Malibu, CA), The Guv’nor Frozen 50 (Dodgeville, WI), New River Gorge Trail Festival – Winter Edition (Fayetteville, WV), Freight Train 100k/50k (Farmville, VA), Anza Borrego Cuyamaca 50 Mile Run (Julian, CA), Blood Rock 100 (Pelham, AL), San Joaquin River Trail (Friant, CA), Jackson County Ultras (Brownstown, IN), Colossal-Vail 50/50 (Vail, AZ), Fall Creek 100 (Spencer, TN), TARC Winter Classic (Stoneham, MA), and Last One Standing (St. George, UT).
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend and be sure to check out all the events on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar.