Sponsored By:
With snow already falling on many of our favorite mountain trails, our ultramarathon attention now turns to lower elevation races. In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we feature upcoming events in Maryland, Texas, Ohio, and Iowa. Let’s toss a few logs on the fire and get to it.
JFK 50
We begin in Boonsboro, Maryland for the oldest continuously running ultramarathon in the United States, the 62nd annual JFK 50 Mile. First held in the spring 1963, the historic race was inspired by President John F. Kennedy who challenged military officers to cover 50 miles on foot in under 20 hours, a test originally set by Teddy Roosevelt for his officers at the turn of the 20th century. Today, while the race still holds true to its military roots, with one of the most prestigious awards, the Kennedy Cup, awarded to the top-finishing team of military runners, the race also attracts some of the fastest civilian distance runners in the country, with cash prizes awarded to the top 10 male and female finishers and an additional $3,000 bonus to anyone who sets a new course record. The race kicks off at 6:30 a.m. Saturday with a mass start and will take runners on a point-to-point course shaped like a giant horseshoe. The race begins on pavement before heading up the technical Appalachian Trail until mile 15.5. Runners will then drop down to the flat C&O Canal Path for 26.3 miles, before running the last 8.4 miles on gently rolling paved country roads. Participants have 13 hours to complete the course for an official finish.
Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run
Our next stop takes us to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas for the eighth running of the Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run (50k, 100k, and 100-mile ultra distances). A 2026 Western States Qualifier for the 100k and 100-mile races, all Dinosaur Valley races take place on a rolling 10.5-mile loop course of varied terrain, with just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain per loop. 50k runners will run three loops, 100k runners six loops, and 100-mile runners nine loops plus an additional five miles. Race highlights include great volunteers, Saturday night karaoke at the Cedar Brake Aid Station, and exploring the beautiful Dinosaur Valley State Park, where actual dinosaur tracks can be found in the Paluxy riverbed. The race is partnered with the Trail Mix Fund, an organization who fundraises to cover the entry fees for runners who cannot afford it or aren’t sure they belong in the sport.
Regal Beagle Ultra
Heading to the Midwest, we journey to Akron, Ohio for the eighth running of the Regal Beagle 50k. The race takes place on a 5-mile loop course through the 404-acre Bath Nature Preserve and the 41-acre Bath Community Park in Northeast Ohio. 50k runners will run six loops with approximately 400 feet of elevation gain per loop. During each scenic loop runners will pass through a variety of environmental habitats, including wetlands, woodlands, riparian, and old-field environments featuring a variety of flora and fauna. Race proceeds benefit the Bath Nature Preserve and the University of Akron Field Station.
Wildcard: Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races
In this week’s Wildcard race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with, we travel to Granger, Iowa for the 6th annual Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races (50k, 50-mile, and 100-mile ultra races). With Thanksgiving next week, it seemed fitting to feature a holiday-themed event. The Stuffed Turkey Endurance Races take place in Jester Park, where participants will run a ten-mile loop course that is 100 percent on trail and features 455 feet of elevation gain per loop. Depending on the weather conditions, the rolling course could be dry and fast, or muddy and challenging. Each aid station is fully stocked with goodies to fuel runners as they gobble their way to a finish, complete with hot dogs, brats, donuts, pizza, and more.
Other events this weekend include Golden Gate Spartan Trail Classic (San Francisco, CA), Lake Haigler 12-Hour (Fort Mill, SC), The Legacy Trail Ultra (Sarasota, FL), Duncan Ridge Trail (Blairsville, GA), Fat Ox (Buckeye, AZ), Fire Fest Ultra (Logandale, NV), Death by 5k Oak Mountain (Pelham, AL), Backyard Ultra – Summit Trail Racing (Marble Falls, TX), The Swamp Fox Ultra (McClellanville, SC), and CT Trailmixers Fall Fling 400 (Southington, CT).
Check out the full list of events here and good luck to everyone racing this weekend!