While there’s a Golden Ticket race going on in New Zealand, our North American UltraRunning Calendar winds up the second week of February in preparation for another Golden Ticket race next weekend in Arizona. This weekend look towards some smaller, yet fun ultras in places like Montana, Georgia, Nevada, Texas and California.
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On Saturday, February 11, the Up For Air Series takes place on Mt. Sentinel in Missoula, Montana. There are 3, 6 and 12-hour events on a course that is 4.7-miles long with approximately 1,900 feet of elevation gain. Registration is still open on RunSignup and all proceeds from this event go to Climate Smart Missoula and their efforts to improve air quality for Montana.
Deep in the woods of suburban Atlanta in Winder, Georgia, we find the 17th Annual Georgia Thrill In The Hills 50k (Fort Yargo) on Saturday. Run it solo, with one friend or two friends to make it a three-person relay. The course dishes out a bit of everything including rolling hills, single-track, roots, rocks and even a few technical segments. There are just 18 spots left in the solo race so get on it if you’re in the area and want some ultra racing fun this weekend.
The Grandmaster Ultras in Mesquite, Nevada, offers four ultramarathon distances to choose from beginning on Friday, February 10. Made for runners 50 years young (and older), runners weave their way through three states (Nevada, Arizona and Utah) in a 50k, 50-mile, 100k or 100-mile race. The majority of the course is run on wide ATV trails with classic desert scenery. Registration appears to be full, but you can check out the entrants list here. Read: Grandmaster Ultras: Apologies to the Youngsters by Gary Dudney.
Back in Huntsville, Texas, for the second consecutive weekend, we have the Rocky 50k/50-mile event on Saturday. As the story goes, last weekend’s Rocky Racoon 100 race grew so big that they decided to start this event to accommodate more athletes on back-to-back weekends. Both courses are nearly flat with some rocky terrain, yet still support fast times. 50k runners run a single loop, while 50-milers will tackle two, 25-mile loops. Both events are full, but you can join the waitlists here.
Two other races to check out on Saturday are the Outlaw 100 Oklahoma 50/100/135-milers in Wilburton, Oklahoma, and the Sandhills Trail & Ultra Festival 50k/24-hour races in Columbia, South Carolina. On Sunday, February 12, look no further than the Gone Loco 33-miler in Athens, Tennessee, and the Montara Mountain 50k in Pacifica, California.
What’s Up in Ultra in your running community this weekend? Drop a quick note and link below and don’t forget to check back on Sunday for Ultra Weekend Recap. You can also subscribe to our UltraRunning Magazine Thursday newsletter to keep your finger on the pulse with the “voice of the sport.”