We’re back in business after our lightest racing weekend of the year. We have over 40 races on our UltraRunning Calendar on the first weekend of December. Leading the way is a fast and competitive 100-miler in Texas, a four-decade-old 40-miler in Georgia, a first-class 50/50 in Southern California and a whole lot more.
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Taking the lead this week is the speedy Brazos Bend 100 and in Needles, Texas, on Saturday, December 3. The multiple-loop course has one hill and 99.99% flat terrain. It also features a stout line-up of potential mammal, reptile, amphibian and bird sightings in the enormous 4,897-acre state park along the Brazos River. Zach Bitter and Devon Yanko are expected on the start line. There’s also an accompanying 50-miler. Read: The Fastest Trail in Texas by Mike Coutu.
The 42nd edition of the Pine Mountain Trail Run 40-miler is on Sunday, December 4, in Pine Mountain, Georgia. Conveniently situated approximately an hour south from Atlanta, the race takes place on the rocky trails in the 9,049-acre F.D. Roosevelt State Park with an out-and-back course style.
Across the country in Malibu, California, on Saturday, is the Ray Miller 50/50. This beautiful Southern California race takes place at the Point Mugu State Park and offers stunning ocean views from most of the tops of the climbs. Both distances are run on sections of the 68-mile long Backbone Trail.
In Fountain Hills, Arizona, Aravaipa’s McDowell Mountain Frenzy 50k/50-miler on Saturday is a good place to kick off your December racing in the southwest. The courses feature rolling single track, short yet steep climbs and beautiful desert scapes within the McDowell Mountain Regional Park and Sonoran Preserve.
On Friday, December 2 there’s The Tennessee Mile 6/8/12//24/40-hour races in Franklin. On Saturday, December 3 check out the Red River Gorge Ultra 50k in Pine Ridge, Kentucky, the Jackson County 50-50 in Brownstown, Indiana, and the Unico 50k/100k/100-miler in Wingate, North Carolina. The Westfir 50k in Westfir, Oregon, and the Hunter S. Thompson Fear & Loathing 50k/50-miler in San Francisco, California, are on Sunday, December 4.
Starting at 8 a.m. at Placer High School in Auburn, California, on Saturday is the Western States Endurance Run lottery. The Hardrock 100 Endurance Run lottery is also taking place on Saturday.
We know there’s a lot more happening this weekend, so keep us in the loop with What’s Up in Ultra in your local community by dropping a comment below. Check out our Ultra Weekend Recap on Sunday for all the results from the aforementioned races and more.