We take a bit of a breather on our UltraRunning Calendar in terms of big races, but you’ll still find more than two dozen ultramarathons to choose from across the country. Highlights include a long-time 40-miler in North Carolina, a large 50k in North Texas, a Kansas 50k, a point-to-point race in California and a whole lot more.
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In Black Mountain, North Carolina, on Saturday, February 25 we have the Mt. Mitchell Challenge 40-miler boasting a whopping 4,324 feet of elevation gain in the first half of the race. The course tops out at nearly 7,000 feet on the summit of Mt. Mitchell which is the highest point in the eastern U.S. This popular race is already full and entering its 23rd year.
On Sunday, February 26, in Fort Worth, Texas, is the Cowtown Ultra 50k. Each of the last seven editions have seen both the women’s and men’s winners finish the single loop course in under four hours, making this a super speedy, early season road 50k. All proceeds from the race go towards The C.A.L.F. Program (Children’s Activities for Life and Fitness), encouraging the next generation to stay active through nutrition education, coaching and more. Registration is still open here.
Kansas City, Kansas, plays host to the 19th Annual Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run 50k on Saturday. The 50k course consists of three 10.4-mile loops of technical, Midwest bridle trail collecting approximately 1,300 feet of elevation gain. For maximum discomfort and enjoyment, three of the biggest hills are strategically placed in the final two miles of the loop. There are just four spots left, so register quickly if you want in on the painful fun.
On the West Coast in Pilot Hill, California, is the net downhill Salmon Falls 50k on Saturday. A rather rare point-to-point course that begins at the Magnolia Ranch Trailhead near Coloma, runners will head southwest towards the finish at Folsom Point State Park. There are 228 entrants and still over 100 spots available. Western State’s fifth-place female and last year’s Salmon Falls outright champion, Emily Hawgood, is back to defend her title as well as the ninth-place male finisher from Western States, Cody Lind.
Starting on Friday, February 24 on our UltraRunning Calendar we have the Lake Ouachita Vista Trail Endurance Runs (LOVIT) 100k/100-miler in Mt. Ida, Arkansas. Other races on Saturday include the Flat Top Mesa Endurance Run 50k/50-mile/100k/100-mile/150-mile/200-mile in Mesquite, Nevada, the Febapple Frozen Fifty 50/50 in Maplewood, New Jersey, the Hashawha Hills 50k in Westminster, Maryland, the Flatlanders Canyon Trail Runs 50k in Lumpkin, Georgia, the The Reverse Ring 71-miler in Massanutten Mountains, Virginia, and the Copper Corridor 50k in Superior, Arizona.
So many options this weekend, but we surely missed something. Please let us know and check back in on Sunday for the Ultra Weekend Recap. Subscribe to our UltraRunning Magazine newsletter, delivered to your inbox each Thursday morning for everything from the “voice of the sport” for four-plus decades.