What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — December 13, 2025

The second weekend of December features 29 races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we highlight events in Washington, Ohio, Virginia and Pennsylvania. If you’re a race director and would like your event to be featured in the calendar, register here.

Featured: Deception Pass (Oak Harbor, WA)

** Postponed- New race date not yet available. **

Established in 2011, the Deception Pass 50k has become a favorite winter ultramarathon for Pacific Northwest runners. Set in beautiful Deception Pass State Park on Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands, the race highlights some of the Pacific Northwest’s best scenery, including dramatic coastal cliffs, dense forests and the iconic bridge that spans the steep-walled Deception Pass channel, where tidal currents can surge at over eight knots. On course, participants will run loops on both sides of the pass where they’ll be tested with slick and rocky single-track trails and over 4,300 climbs and descents. The race begins at 8 a.m. (7 a.m. for early starters), with the official finish line cutoff time at 3:30 p.m. After the race, runners get to celebrate their accomplishment at Rainshadow Running’s post-race party, complete with beer and handmade pizza. Read more.

Other West Events:

Pacific

• Chino Hills Trail Run Series (Brea, CA)
• Doomsday (Cool, CA)
• Lunatic Loop 6/12 hour run (Ramona, CA)
• Frozen Trail Run Fest (Eugene, OR)
• Pigtails Run (Ravensdale, WA)

Mountain

• Last One Standing Ultra Marathon (Saint George, UT)
• The Wasatch Yard (Park City, UT)

Featured: The Frosty Buck Trail Race (Glenmont, OH)

The Frosty Buck Trail Race returns to Glenmont, Ohio, for the inaugural 50k ultramarathon. Taking place on the original Bob’s Big Timber Backyard Ultra trails (BBTBU), participants will kick things off with a short 2-mile section and then must complete seven loops on the classic BBTBU course. The race begins at 8 a.m. on Saturday, and runners have 8 hours to finish. In addition to the 50k, the Frosty Buck Trail Race also offers a 25k option. Read more.

No other Midwest Events.

Featured: Hellgate 100k (Fincastle, VA)

Around 150 brave ultrarunners will click on their headlamps at 12:01 a.m. this Saturday in Natural Bridge Station, Virginia, and head into the darkness for the 23rd running of the Hellgate 100k. Regarded as one of the most physically and mentally demanding winter ultras in the country, Hellgate sends runners on a grueling 66.6-mile, point-to-point journey through the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where they’ll have to navigate steep climbs and descents totaling close to 13,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, remote and rugged trails, and the possibility of treacherous winter conditions. Because of its difficulty, Hellgate uses a selective application process rather than a lottery, with entrants selected based on their likelihood of finishing and who have completed “multiple 50-milers and 100-milers.” Runners have 18 hours to complete the race to earn an official finish and a 2027 Western States qualifier. Read more.

Other South Events:

Southwest

• Tucson 50K (Oro Valley, AZ)
• Dallas 50K (Dallas, TX)
• Race Austin: Holiday Victory Lap (Austin, TX)
• Texmas Trail Race (Smithville, TX)

Southeast

• Spirit of Syllamo (Fifty-Six, AR)
• Tallahassee Ultradistance Classic (Wakulla Springs, FL)
• Daytona 100 (Jacksonville to Ponce Inlet, FL)
• RunFluent Christmas (Lutz, FL)
• Trail Running Festival (New Smyrna Beach, FL)
• Beast of the East (Kings Mountain, NC)
• Cape Fear Holiday Run (Lillington, NC)
• Palmetto Bluff Buffalo Run (Bluffton, SC)
• Bell Ringer 50K/25K Trail Run (Burns, TN)
• Mel Williams Memorial Seashore (Virginia Beach, VA)
• Magnus Gluteus Maximus (Clifton, VA)

Featured: Naked Nick (Leesport, PA)

Naked Nick is a “back to the basics low fee trail run” held at Blue Marsh Lake in Leesport, Pennsylvania. This year’s 50k race begins at 6:45 a.m. on Sunday and takes runners on a lollipop course on the south side of the lake, where they’ll have until 5 p.m. to cover two 25k loops on 80% single-track trails and 20% gravel roads with approximately 1,400 feet of elevation gain and loss per lap. Race highlights include a genuine, old-school trail running vibe, German-style race mementos and a finish line party with food provided by a chef and a pastry chef. Read more.

Other Northeast Events:

• Frosty Looper 8-hour (Pennsauken, NJ)
• MCW The Holmdel Classic (Holmdel, NJ)
• Left Nut 50 (Bristol, RI)

No events this weekend.

Email corys@ultrarunning with questions about adding your event to the UltraRunning Magazine calendar.