All Articles

This is the first of five articles, each about a different National Park the author visited during the summer of 2017. Up next: Grand Teton National Park. 

At the start of the Uwharrie 100, you depart Wood Run Trail Head and are swallowed up immediately by a thick, dark, mysterious forest. Underfoot are protruding rocks and a snake pit of tangled roots, all camouflaged by a layering of dead leaves. The 20.5 mile trail, which follows a figure eight route, will prove to be an almost unbroken minefield of trip hazards.

Now in its 29th year, the Finger Lakes 50s Trail Races is one of the oldest ultramarathons in New York State. The course loops around the Finger Lakes National Forest, winding through lush beds of pines, exposed cow pastures with expansive countryside views, shaded equestrian trails, and some rolling hills through the woods.

All last week I dreamed of today’s run, 22 miles on trails north of Mt. Rainier. Hours of tranquility and beauty.

The Last Great Race consists of running the first six 100-milers in the United States in one summer: Old Dominion 100, Western States 100, Vermont 100, Angeles Crest 100, Leadville Trail 100, and Wasatch Front 100.

If you love to climb (and descend), this race is a feast. With 11,000 ft (3,400 m) of gain, there is opportunity to run, scramble and hike.