What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — April 5

In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we list upcoming races by region, including events in California, Missouri, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. You can view all 35 of this weekend’s races in the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. If you’re a race director and would like your event to be featured on the calendar, register here.

Featured: American River 50 (Folsom, CA)

The American River 50 Mile Endurance Run has established itself as an annual spring classic ultramarathon with a rich history dating back to 1980. Starting at Folsom Lake State Recreation Area, just outside of Folsom, California, in the Sierra Nevada Foothills, runners will attempt to tackle 5,500 feet of elevation gain and 4,600 feet of descent on a combination of single-track trails and asphalt paths before ending in Auburn. Over the years, over 18,000 runners have completed the American River 50, including ultrarunning legends Ann Trason, Jim Howard, Ellie Greenwood and Anton Krupicka. Read more.

Other West Events:

Pacific

• The Krrbrrr (Palmer, AK)
• Diablo Trails Challenge (Walnut Creek, CA)
• Beyond Limits Ultra (Mountain Center, CA)
• Shotgun Trail Blast (Marcola, OR)
• Ancient Lakes Trail Run (Quincy, WA)

Mountain

• Run the Ranch (Loveland, CO)
• Boise Greenbelt Relays (Boise, ID)
• Running Up For Air – Moab (Moab, UT)

Featured: Ozark Foothills Endurance Runs (Wildwood, MO)

This year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Ozark Foothills Endurance Runs (100-mile, 100k, 50-mile, 50k and night 50k ultra races). All races take place in the 1,734-acre Greensfelder County Park in western St. Louis County, Missouri, where runners will have to navigate challenging and technical terrain in the Ozark Mountains, complete with steep climbs and descents, roots, rocks and creek crossings. The 100-mile participants will run a marathon-distance loop course four times with a cumulative elevation gain of around 14,000 feet. The 100k runners will take three 21-mile loops with 8,100 feet of gain, and the 50-milers will run two loops of the marathon course. The 50k competitors will run two 25k loops with 3,400 feet of climbing. Ozark Foothills Endurance Runs is a USATF Regional Association Championship event. Read more.

Other Midwest Events:

• • Rockin’ K (Ellsworth, KS)
  • NK50K (Greenbush, WI)

Featured: Umstead 100 (Raleigh, NC)

The 30^th annual Umstead 100 (100 and 50-mile events) kicks off this weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina’s William B. Umstead State Park. Featuring 32 miles of well-maintained hiking, biking and equestrian trails, and shadowed by 300-year-old hardwoods, Umstead provides a serene backdrop for runners looking to complete their first 50 or 100-miler or go after a personal best. Beginning on Saturday, April 5, participants will set out to run eight 12.5-mile loops around the park in the 100-mile race, and four laps in the 50. Both distances have a 30-hour cutoff. Read more.

Other South Events:

Southwest

• Arizona Monster 300 (Superior, AZ)
• Magdalena Madness (Magdalena, NM)
• Hells Hills Trail Run (Smithville, TX)
• Brazos Bend 50 (Needville, TX)
• West Texas Ultra (South Plains, TX)

Southeast

• Lake Martin 100 (Alexander City, AL)
• 36 Hours of Black Bear (Winslow, AR)
• Granogue Games (Wilmington, DE)
• Croom Trail (Fools) (Brooksville, FL)
• JW Corbett Trail Races (Loxahatchee, FL)
• The Bootlegger 100 Mile Trail Race (Jackson, GA)
• Red River Gorge Ultra (Pine Ridge, KY)
• Wildhorse Ultra (Georgetown, KY)
• The Country Mile (Slater-Marietta, SC)
• Fall Creek Falls 50K (Spencer, TN)
• Big Al’s 200 (Franklin, TN)
• Viper 200 (Memphis, TN)
• Bull Run Run (Clifton, VA)
• Last Stand Loch Lothian Backyard Ultra (Midlothian, VA)
• RRRC Fool’s Run Fest (Henrico, VA)

Featured: Eagleton Trail Challenge (Lock Haven, PA)

Starting and finishing at Sons of Italy Campground, near Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, the Eagleton Trail Challenge 50k takes runners on a scenic tour of the Pennsylvania Wilds Conservative Landscape, from the shores of the picturesque Susquehanna River to the Allegheny Plateau. Race highlights include beautiful single-track trails through north central Pennsylvania’s untamed wilderness and a post-race feast described as a “gastronomic experience like no other.” The 50k runners have 10 hours to complete a loop course with 4,000 feet of elevation gain to earn an official finish. Eagleton Trail Challenge is a Trail Sisters Approved race and part of the Eastern States Trail-Endurance Alliance, which promotes trail running and responsible use of public lands. Read more.

Other Northeast Events:

• Mt. Toby Ultra (Sunderland, MA)

No events this weekend.