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Labor Day weekend features 31 races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar, including great events in Colorado, Florida, Oregon and Tennessee. Let’s jump right into the action in this week’s What’s Up in Ultra.
Grand Traverse Mountain Run
We start in one of my favorite US mountain towns, Crested Butte, Colorado, for the Grand Traverse Mountain Run. The 40-mile point-to-point race showcases some of Colorado’s best alpine trails and scenery as runners make their way from Crested Butte Mountain Resort to the finish line in Ajax Park in Aspen. Along their high-altitude trans-mountain journey, participants will climb over 6,000 feet while traversing Star Pass (the race’s highest point at 12,336 feet), Taylor Pass, and Aspen Mountain before dropping over 3,200 feet over five miles to the finish line. Runners have 12 hours to complete their journey for an official finish. Race proceeds benefit Crested Butte Nordic, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
Pinellas Trail Challenge
Our next stop takes us to the sunshine state and St. Petersburg, Florida, for the popular volunteer-run Pinellas Trail Challenge. The 46-mile race starts in St. Petersburg, runs to the Tarpon Tavern in Tavern Springs, Florida, and then heads back to Weaver Park in Dunedin, FL. The entire race takes place on the Pinellas Trail, a paved multi-use rails-to-trails path that provides a greenspace for walking, running, skating, and biking. While the race is flat and fast, the big hurdle runners must overcome is the notorious late summer Florida heat and humidity. Fortunately, there are several aid stations along the course managed by local clubs and community members that provide ice, refreshments, and encouragement to help runners stay cool and get to the finish line.
Three Corner Rock PCT 50k
Heading to the Pacific Northwest, we drop in on the Three Corner Rock PCT 50k. Formerly known as PCT Bunker to Bonneville 50k, and now hosted by the great folks at Wonderland Running, this old-school point-to-point race begins in Carson, Washington and follows the famous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from the Cascade Mountains to the Columbia River Gorge, ending in North Bonneville, Washington. Runners can expect a challenging course with steep climbs and descents and technical trails but will be rewarded for their efforts with sweeping views of the Columbia River and Cascade peaks, huckleberry-lined trails, and the enthusiastic support of an amazing local ultrarunning community. Participants have 9.5 hours to complete the course while tackling nearly 6,000 feet of elevation gain. Race proceeds benefit the local Stevenson High School Cross Country team.
Wildcard: A Race for the Ages (ARFTA)
In this week’s wildcard race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with (or in this case, a race you youngsters may not be familiar with), we head to Manchester, Tennessee, for A Race for the Ages. Hosted by a group of “wheezing geezers,” including the one and only Lazarus Lake, this unique event is designed to even the playing field between the old guys and gals who aren’t quite as fast as they once were, and the young speedsters who dominate most traditional races. Starting in Fred Deadman Park, runners over 41-years-old will have a number of hours equal to their age to complete as many one-mile loops as they can. Participants under 40 will compete during the final 40 hours of the race. The winner will be the runner with the most accumulated miles in their time allowance. Race highlights include the welcoming atmosphere, getting to run alongside ultrarunning legends, and witnessing firsthand the incredible endurance and determination of athletes of all ages, with participants over 70 regularly logging over 200 miles during the event. The race kicks off Thursday, August 29, and wraps at noon on Monday, September 2.
Other great events this weekend Jay Peak Running Festival (Jay Peak, VT), Booneville Backroads Ultra (Booneville, IA), Wildcat 100 (Pensacola, FL), Crystal Springs – Summer (Woodside, CA), Labor Pain (Reading, PA), Tuscazoar 100 (Dover, OH), Temptation 200 (Forest City, IL), Iron Mountain (Damascus, VA), Last Man Standing Ultramarathon (New Gloucester, ME), Death by 5k (Brandon, MS), Creede Mountain Run (Creede, CO), and Six-O Trail Run (Cleburne, TX).
Whether you’ll be out racing, volunteering, or cheering on runners, have a great Labor Day Weekend!