New York State is much more than New York City. It is home to the Adirondack Park, the Thousand Island Region, Finger Lakes, canals, ponds, apple orchards, thousands of villages, and hamlets as well as Niagara Falls. The FOOLS’ Ultra is a group of footraces across many of these regions. Starting at Niagara Falls racers will traverse East across the state and follow the Olympic Torch route through classic Adirondack villages of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake. The finish along Lake Champlain is one of the most beautiful sites in the Eastern United States. The Samuel Champlain Statue in the shadow of the bridge to Vermont awaits runners who have the audacity and intestinal fortitude to finish this race.
The 420 mile ultra will begin at Niagara Falls at the falls overlook and cross the state. Racers will have 13 days/312 hours to complete the race while maintaining 32 miles per day. Un-Afraid (self-supported) racers will leave Port Henry with only that which they will race with, the race director(s) will not store items for those racers. Un-Afraid runners will then stay over in Niagara Falls where their rooms will be provided double occupancy as part of their fee. This is scheduled to change to single occupancy due to COVID-19. Afraid runners with crews will not ride the bus, the crews and racers are allowed to meet in Port Henry and follow the bus to see the route if they would like. Hotel rooms are also not provided for crews or crewed racers.
Bus Ride: 16 Sept 2024 @ 00630
Race Start: 17 Sept 2024 @0700
Race Finish: 30 Sept 2024 @ 0700
The 200* mile ultra will begin on the shores of Lake Ontario with racers heels touching the water. They will then follow the remaining route. Racers will have 7 days/168 hours while maintaining 29 miles a day. Un-Afraid racers will be camping overnight, they will be allowed a small tent and sleeping bags which will be returned to their car in Port Henry. Lunch will be provided at Sackett’s Harbor as part of entry fee. Upon reaching the campsite there will be food trucks for a variety of choices for dinner. Breakfast will be a bagged breakfast prior to departure from campsite to race start line. Racers must be able to fit all tents, sleeping bags camping gear, etc. which the race team will collect up and securely transport it to the racer's car.
Bus Ride: 21Sept 2024 @0630
Race Start: 22 Sept 2024 @0700
Race Finish: 29 Sept 2024 @0700
The 100* mile ultra will begin on the beach in Cranberry Lake with racers heels touching the water. They will then follow the remaining route to Port Henry. Racers will have 3 days/72 hours while maintaining 33 miles a day. Racers will board the bus in early morning and drive the route in reverse. Racers will then return on foot to Lake Champlain.
Bus Ride: 26 Sept 2024 @ 0430
Race Start: 27 Sept 2024@0700
Racers will be broken into two categories checking in twice daily. Un-Afraid runners will be self-supported, relying on their own wits and drive as they navigate long stretches of New York roads between respites. Afraid runners will be supported and are allowed to have a crew.
