For the last weekend of July on our UltraRunning Calendar we’ve got two classic 50-milers—one in the Pacific Northwest and one in Minnesota, a technical 100k in southern Utah at high altitude and a whole lot more.
In Carlton, Minnesota, is the 41st Minnesota Voyageur 50-miler on Saturday, July 29. The race follows a rugged, out-and-back course that takes runners on a journey from Carlton through Jay Cooke State Park and heads northeast over rough, woodland trails to Duluth and back. Runners will enjoy scenic overlooks of Lake Superior, the iconic Swinging Bridge over the St. Louis River and more. There are 280 runners signed up for this long-standing Midwest classic, including 28-time finisher Bob Frawley from Minneapolis. Spots are still open if you want in on the fun.
Kicking off at Crystal Mountain in Washington, about 2 hours southeast of Seattle, is the White River 50 also on Saturday, set in the shadow of Mt. Rainier. Not long ago, White River was the USATF 50-mile National Championship for a decade and also part of the Montrail Ultra Cup, which preceded the current Golden Ticket Series for Western States. Due to its history, beauty and more, it still attracts runners from around the country. This year appears to be the 30th edition of the long-standing event with a loop course that gains roughly 10,000 feet and features stunning rolling terrain, deep forest running, technical descents and lung-bursting climbs. Check out the entrant’s list here.
At Eagle Point Ski Resort in Utah, is the Tushars Mountain Runs 70/100k races. The ninth edition of the race is put on in southern Utah’s relatively unknown, but stunningly beautiful Tushar Mountains. One of the most challenging yet spectacular mountain races in all of North America near the town of Beaver, this place is truly a hidden gem of high-altitude peaks, alpine lakes and magical terrain. Beginning and ending at 10,000 feet and touching Delano Peak at 12,174 feet, these races aren’t for the faint of heart. Both distances are sold out for 2023.
The UltraRunning Calendar doesn’t stop there. On Friday, July 28, don’t miss the Resurrection Pass 50/100-milers in Cooper Landing, Alaska, and the Never Summer 60/100k races in Gould, Colorado. On Saturday, we have the Burning River 50/100-milers in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, the Tally in the Valley 6/12/24-hour plus 100-miler in Dundas, Ontario, the Lost Turkey Ultra 50k in Imler, Pennsylvania, The Trident 40/80-milers in Jupiter, Florida, the Extreme Ravine 12-hour Binghamton, New York, and the Grand Island Trail 50k Munising, Michigan.
What’s Up in Ultra in your community that we missed and should follow? Please let us know by leaving a note below, and as always, thanks for reading.