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It’s a big week for a couple of notoriously challenging and historic ultras on our UltraRunning Calendar from Colorado to Tennessee.
Starting in Silverton, Colorado, on Friday, July 14, is the 27th Hardrock 100 Endurance Run. With approximately 33,000 feet of climbing and descent this single-loop course, which will be run in the counterclockwise direction this year, is known as one of the burliest mountain hundreds anywhere in the world. The start list of 146 runners features past champions, a course-record holder and dozens of previous finishers, including but not limited to Annie Hughes, Betsy Kalmeyer, Betsy Nye, Pam Reed and 2022 champion Courtney Dauwalter for the women. In the men’s field, 26-time finisher Kirk Apt, Dylan Bowman, Jeff Browning, Avery Collins, Jesse Haynes and Mark Hammond will be lining up. Check out split times and live tracking here.
Moving east, is the infamous Vol State 500k beginning on Thursday, July 13. There are 127 brave souls registered for the point-to-point race, crossing the state of Tennessee from west to east. Beginning with a ferry ride in Dorena Landing, Missouri, and concluding at the Castle Rock Community on top of Sand Mountain near Trenton, Georgia, while touching five states in the process, this 300-plus-miler is as much of an adventure as a race. Runners have 10 days to complete their entire journey. Track the runners here.
Last week, UltraRunning reader Jim Seymour brough to our attention the Waugoshance Trail Run 50k in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The course is a mostly single-track, point-to-point course starting at Cross Village in northern Michigan and traversing the North Country Trail. It winds up and along the Sturgeon Bay bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan for much of the race. Registration is still open here for this first-year event.
Also on Saturday, July 15 is the Tahoe Rim Trail 55k/50-mile/100-mile in Carson City, Nevada, the Mt. Hood Races 50k/50-miler in Timothy Lake, Oregon, the Beaverhead Endurance Runs 55/100k in Salmon, Idaho, Devil’s Backbone 50-miler in Bozeman, Montana, the San Lorenzo River Trail Run 50k in Santa Cruz, California, and the Broken Goat 52k in Rossland, Alberta. On Sunday, July 16 we have the Teton Mountain Runs 50k in Teton Village, Wyoming.
We know we omitted an important race or two in this week’s What’s Up in Ultra that is potentially on your calendar. Let us know where you’re running by leaving a comment below so we can follow along. Be sure to enjoy the miles this weekend wherever you are and come back on Sunday for our Ultra Weekend Recap.