What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend – May 21

With so many races on our UltraRunning Calendar this weekend, it was hard to choose just a dozen to highlight, however, the first event was an easy pick to kick off What’s Up In Ultra. The 37th running of the ultrarunning classic, Silver State 50k/50m races, is on Saturday, May 21, at the 580-acre Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, Nevada. Just last year, the men’s 30-year-old course record was broken by David Sinclair. The women’s top time is still held by the legendary Ann Trason from 1994. That year, she used the race as a final tune-up for Western States before setting a course record time of 17:37:51 that ultimately stood for 18 years. The 50/50, as it’s affectionately known, has a rich history as one of the oldest trail runs on the West Coast. The race began in the backyard of one of its co-founders, Roland Martin, as a way to bring the ultra communities of northern Nevada and northern California together for a day of adventure on and around the 8,269-foot Peavine Peak. This is an event you should plan to attend at least once in your ultra career.

Across the country in Key West, Florida, is the Keys Ultra 50k/50m/100m race. The 100-mile event is a point-to-point, flat course from Key Largo to Key West. A rather unique element of this race is that each runner must have their own support crew as there are no aid stations or water stops along the route. Despite the lack of elevation change, with daytime temperatures predicted to push 90 degrees and humidity close to 80%, this is undoubtedly one of the toughest ultras being held this weekend.

In Lusten, Minnesota, the Superior Spring Trail Race 50k is an out-and-back course that traverses the Sawtooth Mountain Range on the infamous Superior Hiking Trail of northern Minnesota and parallels much of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes of North America. With breathtaking views of the lake, a whitewater river crossing and a trail through mystic boreal forests, if you’re in the Midwest, this is where you want to be on Saturday.

Divide, Colorado, is home to the 50k/100k/100m Great Divide Ultra taking place entirely in the beautiful, rolling meadows of the 5,000-plus acre Mueller State Park. The courses are 100% smooth single and double-track trails offering sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains.

The Berryman 50-mile Trail Race in Potosi, Missouri, is a 99% single-track loop through the 1.5 million acres of the Mark Twain National Forest. Two 25-mile loops make up the route with plenty of roots and rocks to keep runners on their toes, with at least one opportunity to get their feet wet. The total elevation gain and loss is approximately 2,500 feet per loop. 

Also on our UltraRunning Calendar this weekend are three backyard / last person standing events in Slatington, Pennsylvania, with the Keystone Backyard Ultra, the Perfect PR Backyard Ultra in Clarkston, Michigan, and the Arkansas Backyard Ultra Championship in Cotter, all starting on Saturday, May 21 and unquestionably going into Sunday, May 22, and perhaps beyond.

Where are you headed to this weekend for some ultrarunning fun? Please leave a comment below so we can all follow along with your adventures.