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There are so many great races on deck that it’s difficult to choose which ones to write about. While I can’t mention every race, you can find a comprehensive list of this weekend’s events in the UltraRunning Magazine’s race calendar. In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra we travel to Virginia, Pennsylvania and New York, with links to several more amazing races throughout the US and Canada.
Old Dominion 100
We start in Woodstock, Virginia, at the timeless Old Dominion 100, where “It’s about you against the clock, and against the course.” First run in 1979, Old Dominion has stayed true to its roots for more than 45 years, offering a no-frills race that’s 100% volunteer-run with zero sponsorship. The first stop for those attempting the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, Old Dominion takes runners through Virginia’s Massanutten Mountains, Shenandoah River Valley and Fort Valley. Participants will be challenged by hot and humid conditions, 14,000 feet of elevation gain and diverse terrain featuring a combination of 62% dirt and gravel roads, 22% single-track trails, and 16% paved roads. Runners will have 24 hours to finish and receive the coveted Old Dominion silver buckle, and 28 hours to claim an official finish.
Worlds End
Heading north, we stop in Forksville, Pennsylvania, for the 10th running of the Worlds End Ultramarathons (100k and 50k events). Taking place on technical single-track trails in the rugged and dense Loyalsock State Forest and Worlds End State Park, both distances have earned a reputation for their difficulty as well as their beautiful scenery. Participants in the 100k event will face over 12,400 feet of elevation gain over rocky and rolling trails with a 19-hour finish time. While those in the 50k will have to tackle over 5,900 feet of climbing before the clock hits 12 hours. All runners will be rewarded with numerous waterfalls, stunning views of the Endless Mountains and an epic post-race feast to get back some of the calories burned after a challenging day on the trails.
Cayuga Trail
Staying in the Northeast, we head over to Ithica, New York, for the 12th running of the Cayuga Trail races (50-miler and 50k). Known for being one of the most scenic courses in the US, both courses feature 95% trails that pass by dozens of waterfalls and traverse deep gorges, dense forests and the signature historic stone stairs. The 50-mile event has around 10,000 feet of elevation gain and a 15-hour cutoff time, while the 50k race has over 6,800 feet of climbing with a 10-hour cutoff. A portion of each entry fee goes to support trail and park projects for the Finger Lakes Land Trust, Finger Lakes Trail Conference and State Parks Heritage Trust.
Wild Card:
In this week’s Wild Card Race (where we feature an event you may not be familiar with) we head to Damascus, Virginia, for the seventh running of the Dam Yeti 50 (50-mile and 55k races). Put on by the Yeti Trail Runners, with a mission to “move the trail ultra running community forward by developing strong relationships in our community parks and forests,” the flat and fast Dam Yeti 50 has become an extremely popular event for ultra veterans looking to chase down a PR and newbies hoping to complete their first finish. Both races begin at Whitetop Station at the beginning of the Virginia Creeper Trail and end at Sweetbay Brewing Company for a celebratory beverage and Yeti party!
Other races this weekend include Mohican (Loudonville, OH), FANS Ultra Races (Minneapolis, MN), War Eagle Trail Running Festival (Rogers, AR), North Fork 50 Mile/50k (Pine, CO), Smith Rock Classic (Terrebonne, OR), Ridge to Rails 50k (Old Fort, NC) and Spence Mountain Run (Klamath Falls, OR).
Good luck to all the runners toeing the line this weekend!