What's Up in Ultra This Weekend — June 14

Featured: River of No Return Endurance Runs (Challis, ID)

River of No Return (RONR) Endurance Runs (108k and 55k ultra distances) take runners on a tour of Idaho’s rich mining history and rugged wilderness. Named after the Salmon River, which was referred to as “The River of No Return” by early miners who were unable to navigate back upstream against the swift currents and rapids, RONR begins and ends in Challis, Idaho, and is an early season mountain race. The 108k runners will have to tackle over 17,000 feet of elevation gain and two climbs over 9,000 feet above sea level, while the 55k participants will face nearly 9,300 feet of vertical gain. On course, runners have the chance to spot a variety of wildlife including wolves, bears, cougars, coyotes and foxes. As the race website notes, “You are not at the top of the food chain here, so Run Fast.” Read more.

Other West Events:

Pacific

Holcomb Valley trail Run (Big Bear Lake, CA)
Cool Moon Trail Runs (Cool, CA)
Tahoe 200 Endurance Run (Homewood, CA)
Skyline Ridge Trail Run (La Honda, CA)
Under the Moon (Hilo, HI)
Mary’s Peak Trail Run (Blodgett, OR)
Lowells Loop (Pleasant Hill, OR)
Kaniksu Trail Runs (Frater Lake, WA)
The Kan (Spokane, WA)

Mountain

Barr Lake (Brighton, CO)
Summits Trail Runs (Granby, CO)
Old Gabe (Bozeman, MT)
The Divide 50 (Butte, MT)
Snow Peaks 50 Mile Trail Run (Provo, UT)
Twisted Fork Trail Festival (Park City, UT)

Featured: Kettle Moraine Endurance Runs (La Grange, Wisconsin)

The 28^th running of the Kettle Moraine Endurance Runs (100-mile, 100k, 50k and 38-mile races) kicks off this weekend in La Grange, Wisconsin. Established in 1996, the 100-mile race features 100% trails with 65 miles taking place on the historic Ice Age National Scenic Trail. Runners can expect a combination of rocky and rooty single track as well as gently rolling and smooth sections, with a total elevation gain of around 8,800 feet. Runners who finish the 100-mile race in under 30 hours earn a 2026 Western States Endurance Run Qualifier. Kettle Moraine is part of the Midwest Grand Slam of Ultrarunning and has become a local favorite over the years for its welcoming hospitality and amazing volunteers. Read more.

Other Midwest Events:

- Schuetzen Nein! Hour Endurance Run (Davenport, IA)
- 8 Hours of Brown County (Nashville, IN)
- Heat Wave 6/12/24 (Rose Hill, KS)
- Summer Trailfest Ultra, Half Marathon, & 5 Mile (Laingsburg, MI)
- No Shame Shindig (Pierce, NE)
- Thunderbird Warrior Challenge (Bayfield, WI)

Featured: Highlands Sky (Davis, WV)

The 24^th running of the Highlands Sky 40-mile ultramarathon features a point-to-point course that highlights West Virginia’s rugged and varied terrain. The race begins near the Dolly Sods Wilderness Areas and travels through the Monongahela National Forest, Timberline Ski Resort and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge before ending at Canaan Valley State Park in Davis. On their journey, participants will traverse rocky terrain, dense forests, high plateaus and mountain meadows, with 5,500 feet of climbing and close to 4,900 feet of descent. Runners have 12 hours to complete the race for an official finish. Read more.

Other South Events:

Southwest

Hypnosis Night Runs (Goodyear, AZ)
Death by 5k Albuquerque (Albuquerque, NM)
Fire Trail Running Festival (Spring Branch, TX)

Southeast

The Last Annual Heart of the South Road Race (Bryant, AL)
Cotter Bridge Ultra (Arkansas Backyard Ultra Championship) (Cotter, AR)
Southern Discomfort (Albany, GA)
Wicked Root 50k (Lowell, NC)
Longest Day Races (Travelers Rest, SC)
Mid-State Mile (Franklin, TN)
OSS/CIA (Triangle, VA)
Night Train 50k (Farmville, VA)
Last Stand Army Backyard Ultra (Midlothian, VA)

Featured: Laurel Highlands (Ohiopyle, PA)

Saturday, June 14, marks the 46th consecutive running of the Laurel Highlands 70.5-mile ultramarathon and the 20^th version of the 50k race. Taking place in southwestern Pennsylvania, both races traverse the Laurel Highlands hiking trail, where participants will have to navigate rugged trails, steep climbs and descents, and the likelihood of heat and humidity. The 70.5- milers have 20 hours to complete a point-to-point course from Ohiopyle to Seward, Pennsylvania, to earn their 2026 Western States Endurance Run qualifier. The 50k runners have 10 hours to make it from Ohiopyle to the Route 31 trailhead near Myersbrook. Laurel Highlands is a 2025 UltraRunning Magazine Old School Ultra, recognized for continuing “to embrace their runners, volunteers and community with open arms over the last few decades.” Read more.

Other Northeast Events:

Ansonia Six Hour Trail Run (Ansonia, CT)
Table Rock Trail Challenge (Jamesville, NY)

Featured: Ultra Trail Gaspesie 100 (Percé, QC)

Ultra Trail Gaspesie 100 celebrates its 10^th anniversary this weekend in the charming seaside town of Percé, Quebec, Canada. Set between the sea and the mountains on the beautiful Gaspé Peninsula, the race includes four ultra distances (165k, 110k, 85k and 55k), as well as stage races, relays and sub-ultra trail races over the three-day running event. All courses feature miles of coastline and stunning views from the trails of the Percé UNESCO World Geopark, including of the famous Percé Rock, a massive sheer rock formation jutting out of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The 165k challenges runners with over 5,000 meters (16,400 feet) of elevation gain. The 110k and 85k both have over 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) of vert. The 55k chalks in at 1,700 meters (5,575 feet) of climbs and descents. Read more.

Other Events in Canada and Mexico:

Survivorfest (Sherwood Park, AB)
North Sun Ultra (Edmonton, AB)
Dirty Feet Backyard Buzzer! Backyard Ultra (Kamloops, BC)
High Noon 24Hr Trail Race & Relay (Thunder Bay, ON)
Rainbow Trail Run (Alliston, ON)
Notos Ultra Trail (Victoriaville, QC)

Email corys@ultrarunning with questions about adding your event to the UltraRunning Magazine calendar.

What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — June 14