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This 4th of July weekend, we highlight events in California, Minnesota, South Carolina, New York and Quebec. You can view all 17 of this weekend’s races in the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. If you’re a race director and would like your event to be featured in the calendar, register here.
Featured: Badwater® 135 (Death Valley, CA)
Monday, July 7, marks the 48th anniversary of the Badwater® 135, a point-to-point road race that begins in Death Valley, the lowest elevation in North America at 280 feet below sea level, and ends at the trailhead to Mount Whitney at 8,300 feet in altitude. Often recognized as one of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world due to the intense heat runners face along the way (think melting the soles of your shoes), the Badwater® 135 course covers three mountain ranges, 14,600 feet of climbing and can often reach temperatures above 120 degrees. Runners come from around the world to enter the event, with 20-25 nations represented annually. The 2025 Badwater® 135 participants have 48 hours to reach the Whitney Portal for an official finish. Read more.
Other West Events:
Pacific
- Rancho Hills Trail Run – Summer (Morgan Hill, CA)
- Bottle Rocket Run (Day 3 of the Lil Firecracker Triple) (Seattle, WA)
- Cherry Bomb 50k (Day 2 of the Lil Firecracker Triple) (Bothell, WA)
- Olympia Urban Adventure Tower Challenge (Olympia, WA)
Mountain
- Grand Targhee Wildflower Run (Alta, WY)
Featured: Afton Trail Run (Hastings, MN)
Established in 1994, the Afton Trail Run 50k race is held at Afton State Park, just outside of Minneapolis. Home to some of the most beautiful running trails in the country, Afton State Park lies on a glacial moraine perched above the shores of the scenic St. Croix River. Race entrants will start near the park visitor center and have 9 hours to conquer two 25k loops featuring runnable gravel roads and trails, long climbs and descents to and from the river, and a total elevation gain of around 2,350 feet per loop. Each year, the Afton Trail Run makes an annual financial donation to help maintain and preserve the park. Read more.
Other Midwest Events:
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- Run Under the Stars – Corydon (Corydon, IN)
Featured: Big Butt 50k (Lancaster, SC)
Founded on July 4, 1993, the USATF-certified Big Butt 50k features a series of loops on country roads that circle the birthplace of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. All entrants are treated to free camping at Benford Brewery, race t-shirts and finishline food with offerings such as pizza, chili beans, cornbread and pasta. Read more.
Other South Events:
Southwest
- Midnight Madness 50M, 50K, 10.5M, 5K Ultra (Tulsa, OK)
Southeast
- No other events scheduled
Featured: Finger Lakes 50s Trail Races (Hector, NY)
The 27th running of the Finger Lakes 50s Trail Races (50-mile and 50k ultras) takes place Saturday, July 5, at the Potomac Group Campground in the Majestic Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, New York. Participants in both events will run a 16.5-mile loop with 85% single-track trails, 10% dirt and paved roads, and 5% grass pastures “complete with grazing cows and cow pies.” Each loop has around 1,300 feet of vertical gain and loss. 50k runners will run two loops, while 50-milers will attempt to tackle three loops plus a small add-on section. Race highlights include scenic trails, race weekend camping in the Finger Lakes National Forest, six fully stocked aid stations, a fun atmosphere to hang out with fellow runners and generous volunteers, and a post-race BBQ and awards ceremony. Read more.
Other Northeast Events:
- Red Wing Trail Challenge (Lagrangeville, NY)
Featured: Québec Mega Trail (Beaupré, QC)
One of the premier trail races in Canada and a World Trail Majors event, the Québec Mega Trail, features three ultramarathon distances (135k, 80k and 50k) and attracts a top field of trail runners from around the world looking to test themselves against some of Canada’s best endurance athletes on the country’s most demanding trails. On course, participants will journey along the banks of the St. Lawrence River from Charlevoix to Mont-Sainte-Anne where they’ll have to navigate wild and technical trails, summer heat and humidity, and several of steep climbs and descents, with over 6,000 meters (19,685 feet) of vertical gain in the 135k, 3,584 meters (11,758 feet) in the 80k, and 2,300 meters (7,545 feet) in the 50k race. The fun-filled weekend also includes group runs, live music, food trucks, yoga sessions and family-focused activities. Read more.
Other Events in Canada and Mexico:
- Non Stop Backyard Ultra Huatusco (Huatusco, )
- Old Tom Backyard (Blumenort, MB)
- Limberlost Challenge (Lake of Bays, ON)
- Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra – Cacouna (Cacouna, QC)
Email corys@ultrarunning with questions about adding your event to the UltraRunning Magazine calendar.