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In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we hunt for the last remaining Golden Tickets in California, tackle the Highline Trail in Arizona, race along the canal in Maryland and ride some classic roller coasters in Ohio.
Last Chance for Golden Tickets
We start in Auburn, California, for the Canyons Endurance Runs and the last chance for runners to race their way into the 2024 Western States 100. For the second year in a row, the Canyons will feature three distances: 100 miles, 100k and 50k. The first and second place male and female finishers in the 100k race will earn coveted Hoka Golden Tickets and an automatic pass to the starting line in Olympic Valley. All races start and finish in Auburn, California, and give runners a taste of the most scenic and challenging sections of the Western States Trail, including the river crossing at Rucky Chucky, Devil’s Thumb and the historic swinging bridge. Runners will be tested by heat, rugged trails and steep climbs and descents, with over 5,600 feet of climbing in the 50k, 11,000 feet in the 100k and over 17,000 feet in the 100-mile race.
Highline Classic
Next, we head to Christopher Creek, Arizona, for the 34th running of the Zane Grey Highline Trail Ultramarathon. This classic race begins and ends at Mountain Meadows Ranch, where participants will tackle challenging and technical terrain on a course that features 86% single-track trails and over 6,500 of elevation gain. This year’s edition returns to the 50-mile distance, with highlights including running along the historic Highline Trail and climbing to the top of the Mogollon Rim, with spectacular views across the southern edge of the Colorado Plateau.
Along the Canal
Heading east, we land in Knoxville, Maryland, for the 11th running of the C&O Canal 100. Consisting of one 40-mile loop and two 30-mile loops, the flat and fast course starts and finishes at Camp Manidokan and is run on the scenic C&O Canal Towpath, originally constructed for mules to walk alongside the waterway and tow canal boats down the canal. With a runnable course combined with a supportive cast of volunteers, the C&O Canal 100 is an excellent choice for beginners attempting their first 100, as well as veterans looking to add another buckle to their collection.
Wild Card
Growing up in Ohio and baking in the hot, summer sun as a child while I waited in line for the Magnum at Cedar Point, or the Beast at King’s Island, I had to write about the Coast to Coaster 200, a 200-mile road race that runs from one amusement park to the next. Starting near Cedar Point in Sandusky, the inaugural race travels south through the Buckeye State, stopping in Mansfield at the Ohio State Reformatory to pay homage to Andy Dufresne (where The Shawshank Redemption was filmed), before finishing in Mason, Ohio, home to Kings Island. Participants will have six days to complete the journey while carrying their own supplies and obtaining what they need along the way. Hopefully everyone arrives in Mason with enough time to receive their buckle and take in a few thrill rides!
Other races we’re following this weekend include: Weiser River Trail (Boise, ID), Ultra Race of Champions (Montebello, VA), Falling Waters Ultras (New River Gorge National Park, WV), Pick your Poison Trail Run (Barrie, ON), Big Turtle Trail Runs (Morehead, KY), and Badwater Salton Sea (Borrego Springs, CA).
In total there are 43 races on the Ultrarunning Magazine calendar this weekend. Good luck to everyone running!