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As we move into the second month of the year, the UltraRunning Calendar sees an uptick of events including the 45th edition of a 50/50 held in Sacramento, a large 100-miler in Texas, a 50k on Maryland’s eastern shore and as always, a lot more events to choose from no matter which part of the continent you are on.
In California’s capital city of Sacramento we have the 45th Jed Smith 50k/50-mile races on Saturday, February 4. Although this year’s fields are small, rumor has it that there might be a few runners gunning for American age group records on this flat and fast loop course. Both races repeatedly run a lap that is approximately 5 miles and features a mixture of dirt roads and paved bike paths. Previous UR Podcast guest Beverley Anderson-Abbs is registered for the 50-mile race.
Huntsville, Texas, plays host to the Rocky Raccoon 100k/100-mile races on Saturday where swift times and big fields are expected again this year. There some roots and rocks littered throughout the course, but it’s generally known as a fast-moving race at the front. All 100-mile runners complete five, 20-mile loops and 100k participants do a two-mile short lap, followed by three full 20-mile laps. This is a 2024 Western States qualifying race and there are just 13 spots left in the 100-mile race and 12 left in the 100k, so get on it if you want to line up this weekend.
Flying further east, we find The Algonquin 50k in Pocomoke City, Maryland, on Saturday. This mostly out-and-back course winds through the Chesapeake Forest and Pocomoke State Forest on Maryland’s eastern shore, with 95% trails. The route is completely flat with some singletrack and some wider trails, making for a quick 50k to start off your February. The race is sold out with 290 entrants.
There are a lot more races to choose from on Saturday, February 4, including the Uwharrie Mountain Run 40-miler in Ophir, North Carolina, the Running Up For Air – Grandeur Peak Challenge 6/12/24-hour races in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Hallucination Trail Run 6/12/24-hour races in Charleston, South Carolina, Louisville’s Lovin’ the Hills 50k in Louisville, Kentucky, Elephant Mountain 50k/50-mile in Cave Creek, Arizona, the Forgotten Florida 45/100-milers in Christmas, Florida, and the burly Yukon Arctic Ultra 100/300/430-mile contests in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.
We know that despite this list, it’s possible you might be racing somewhere else this weekend. If so, let us know What’s Up in Ultra in your world. As always, check back for results on Sunday in our Ultra Weekend Recap and subscribe to our Thursday weekly newsletter to keep in the loop with everything from the “voice of the sport” UltraRunning Magazine.