Runners start the Ice Age Trail 50 in Wisconsin. Photo courtesy Ice Age Trail 50

What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — May 10

Drew Dinan
Drew Dinan

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In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we feature ultramarathons in California, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Manitoba. Be sure to check out all 48 of this weekend’s upcoming races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. We also want to wish a happy Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there.

Featured: Quicksilver (San Jose, CA)

The 41st annual Quicksilver Endurance Runs (100k and 50k races) kick off Saturday at Almaden Quicksilver County Park in San Jose, California. The 100k begins at 4:30 a.m. and participants have 17 hours to tackle 13,000 feet of elevation gain to earn an official finish and their 2026 Western States Endurance Run qualifier. The 50k runners will head out at 7 a.m. and have 9 hours to complete a course with over 6,000 feet of gain. Both courses feature a combination of fire roads and single-track trails, with great views of the Santa Cruz Mountains and the surrounding Santa Clara Valley. The event is put on by the Quicksilver Running Club, who host a variety of races, a youth running club and several local volunteer opportunities. Since its inception in 1984, the event has raised over $100,000 for local charities. Read more.

Other West Events:

Pacific

Mountain

Featured: Ice Age Trail (La Grange, WI)

The Ice Age Trail 50-mile race is one of the oldest continuously running ultras in the United States, and a well-deserved addition to UltraRunning Magazine’s 2025 list of Old School Ultras. First run in 1981, the event has grown to be one of the most popular in the country for its beautiful course, great organization and epic post-race party, complete with a BBQ dinner and local craft beer. On course, participants will set out on the Ice Age National Scenic Trail where they’ll run through dense forests, over rocky ridges, through open prairies and past lakes, kettles and a variety of other natural land features created from the Wisconsin glaciation. The 50-mile course has around 6,800 feet of climbs and descents, with the 50k track boasting around 3,400 feet. Read more.

Other Midwest Events:

Featured: Hellbender 100 (Old Fort, NC)

This year’s Hellbender 100 will have a new look due to the devastation caused to Western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene in September of 2024. As a result of the storm, many of the original Hellbender course sections are still closed. However, due to the hard work by the race team, the 2025 Hellbender course is still promised to capture “the spirit of the race with tons of vert and views.” Dubbed “The Hellenbender,” the 2025 race begins and ends at Camp Grier in Old Fort, North Carolina, and features over 20,000 feet of elevation gain. On course, runners will climb over some of the tallest peaks on the East Coast, descend into deep valleys, and navigate plenty of rugged and technical sections. Those brave enough to toe the line have 39 hours to complete the race to earn their Hellbender 100 buckle, as well as a Hardrock 100 and Western States 100 qualifier. Read more.

Other South Events:

Southwest

Southeast

Featured: Dirty German Endurance Fest (Philadelphia, PA)

The 15th annual Dirty German Endurance Fest (50-mile and 50k ultra races) takes place this weekend at Pennypack Park which covers more than 1,600 acres of beautiful outdoor space within the city limits of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The popular event features a runnable course that’s great for those looking to enter the sport, as well as seasoned ultrarunners gunning for a PR. The 50k entrants will run a 25k figure-eight-style course twice, while 50-milers will take on three loops plus an additional one-mile dogleg section. Race highlights include running in a beautiful park setting, enjoying a German-themed aid station complete with pretzels served by the St. Pauli girls and unique age group awards (folk art weather houses from the Black Forest of Germany). Read more.

Other Northeast Events:

Featured: Suffer on Centennial (West Hawk Lake, MB)

Suffer on Centennial (100k and 50k ultra races) is held in Whiteshell Provincial Park, 90 minutes east of Winnipeg. Known for its rugged rocky landscape, beautiful lakes, and lush boreal forest, the park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Now in its second season, the 100k race takes runners on the longest point-to-point race on the central Prairies, where they’ll have 18 hours to navigate sections of technical and rooty trails, exposed ridgelines, and short but steep climbs. The third annual 50k will also be run on a point-to-point course that begins at the halfway mark of the 100k. Donations from race proceeds go to help fund trail improvements in the Whiteshell. Read more.

Other Events in Canada and Mexico:

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

Drew Dinan traded the tropics of the Florida Keys for the trails of Bend, OR. Once living the Jimmy Buffett lifestyle, working on fishing boats and owning only a single pair of flip flops, he now has way too many running shoes in his closet and never hears the end of it from his loving wife. He is on a constant quest to find the best happy hours, likes to complain when it’s cold outside, and one day hopes to travel the country writing reviews on chicken wings.

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