What’s Up in Ultra This Weekend — May 31

This week’s What’s Up in Ultra features races in Oregon, Ohio, Arizona, New York and British Columbia. Check out all 39 upcoming races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar.

Featured: Smith Rock Classic (Terrebonne, OR)

Smith Rock State Park, Central Oregon’s springtime playground for hikers, bikers, rock climbers and trail runners, plays host to the second annual Smith Rock Classic (50-mile and 50k ultra distances). Tucked away just outside of Redmond, Oregon, Smith Rock State Park features towering basalt cliffs, expansive views of the Cascade Mountains, and some of the high desert’s best single-track running trails. Both Smith Rock Classic courses begin and end at Skull Hollow Trailhead and take runners on a tour of the park and through the Crooked River Grasslands. The 50-milers will set off at 6 a.m. and attempt to navigate 7,500 feet of elevation gain in under 13.5 hours. The 50k runners start at 8 a.m. and have 9.5 hours to tackle 4,500 feet of climbs and descents. Race proceeds benefit the local Ridgeview High School cross country team. Read more.

Other West Events:

Pacific

• Cinderella Trail – Spring (Oakland, CA)
• Calero Trail Run – Spring (San Jose, CA)
• Sonoma Coast Trail Runs (Duncans Mills, CA)
• Pacifico Ultra (Palmdale, CA)
• Spence Mountain Run (Klamath Falls, OR)
• Cape Mountain (Florence, OR)

Mountain

• North Fork 50 Mile/50K (Pine, CO)
• Running Up For Air – Kyhv Peak (Rock Canyon) (Provo, UT)
• Connor’s Claims Ultra (Stockton, UT)
• Salt Lake Foothills 50k (Salt Lake City, UT)
• Coldwater In Your Veins (North Ogden, UT)

Featured: Mohican 100 (Loudonville, OH)

Now in its 35^th year, the Mohican Trail 100 (50-mile and 100-mile races) is one of the Midwest’s classic ultrarunning events. Site of the first USATF Ultra Running Championship back in 2005, Mohican 100, or MO 100 as it’s often referred, takes runners on a journey through Ohio’s 5,000-acre Mohican Memorial State Forest. Both races feature courses that circumnavigate Mohican State Park in a clockwise direction. The 100-milers will run two long and two short loops (with a bonus section on the first loop), totaling around 12,500 feet of elevation gain. The 50-mile participants will run one long and one short loop with over 6,000 feet of vert. This year’s 100-mile race is a 2026 Western States qualifier. Runners have 32 hours to complete the course to throw their name in next year’s lottery and earn their Mohican 100 buckle. Read more.

Other Midwest Events:

• • Elsa Chicken Plucker Backyard Ultra (Charleston, IL)
  • The Full Mo (Sheridan, IN)
  • Yankee Springs Trail Run (Middleville, MI)
  • FANS Ultra Races (Minneapolis, MN)
  • Chester Woods (Eyota, MN)

Featured: Hotfoot Hamster (Buckeye, AZ)

The Hotfoot Hamster is a fun, flat and fast fixed-time ultra held on a USATF-certified 500-meter course at the historic Victorian property of Nardini Manor south of Buckeye, Arizona. The event kicks off Saturday and features 6-hour, 12-hour and 24-hour contests. All runners will set off on a custom gravel running track built in 2003 by Nardini Manor’s owner and ultrarunner Rodger Wrublik. To help them go after a PR, each participant will have access to one fully stocked aid station, as well as the option to set up their trackside aid stop. There will be one 24-hour race that begins on Saturday morning, two 12-hour races (Saturday morning and Saturday evening), and three 6-hour events (morning, night, and a 1 a.m. “Insomniac” start). Read more.

Other South Events:

Southwest

• Achilles Hill (Sunset, TX)
• Frio Trail Runs (Leakey, TX)

Southeast

• Lake to Ocean 100K (Port Mayaka, FL)
• Stevi’s Roost 48 Hour Ultra (Sylvania, GA)
• Rez Loop Challenge (Flowood, MS)
• Momentus Backyard Ultra (Monroe, NC)
• Kettlefoot (Mountain City, TN)

Featured: Cayuga Trail (Ithaca, NY)

Considered one of the most scenic ultras in the country, the 13^th annual Cayuga Trail races (50-miler and 50k) feature challenging courses with 95% trails, multiple waterfalls, deep gorges, dense green forests and the signature stone stairs. In addition to the beautiful course, runners will be treated to great swag, post-race food from Fitnell Farms, a custom finisher’s medal and the support of amazing volunteers. The 50-mile course has 10,000 feet of vertical gain and loss (15-hour cutoff time), while the 50k race has a 10-hour cutoff and over 6,800 feet of climbing. A portion of the race proceeds benefits Finger Lakes Land Trust, Finger Lakes Trail Conference and State Parks Heritage Trust for local trail and park projects. Read more.

Other Northeast Events:

• Chesterfield Gorge Ultra (West Chesterfield, MA)
• Worlds End Ultramarathons (Forksville, PA)
• Berry Mountain 12 hour trail challenge (Millersburg, PA)

Featured: Run Comfy Numb Trail Race (Whistler, BC)

Now in its 21^st year, Run Comfy Numb Trail Race is Whistler’s locally owned “OG trail race.” The 50k event starts at Whistler Village and ends at Spruce Grove Park. In between, runners will navigate non-technical sections of the beautiful Sea to Sky Trail through the Gords Garden, before tackling the Comfortably Numb trail, a challenging black diamond mountain bike trail with plenty of rocks and roots. The 50k course features 941 meters of exhilarating climbs and 912 meters of thrilling descent. Post-race activities include live music, kids’ games, non-alcoholic beers, recovery ice baths and delicious post-race food. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three male and female finishers. Read more.

Other Events in Canada and Mexico:

• Blackfoot Ultra (Edmonton, AB)
• McLennan’s Grit 12-hour Ultra (Summerland, BC)
• Run for Water Trail Races (Abbotsford, BC)
• Sooke Hills 50k/25k (Sooke, BC)
• Woolastook Whopping (Upper Kingsclear, NB)
• Great Mansfield Outdoors (Mansfield, ON)
• Canada Goose Ultra (Wascana Lake, SK)
• Whitehorse Sunshine Shuffle Backyard Ultra (Whitehorse, YT)

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