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The Thanksgiving edition of What’s Up in Ultra features events in California, North Carolina, New York and New Jersey. We hope everyone has a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving, complete with quality time spent with family and friends and out on the trails. Let’s shove the last slice of apple pie into our running packs and get moving.
Quad Dipsea
We begin in Mill Valley, California, for the 41st annual Quad Dipsea (28.4-miler). First officially run as a race in 1983, the Quad Dipsea has become one of ultrarunning’s premier late season events, attracting top distance runners from around the country. Beginning at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, participants will attempt to tackle the famous 7.1-mile Dipsea Trail a total of four times. Runners will start at Old Mill Park, then head straight up and straight back down to Stinson Beach, before turning around heading back to Mill Valley. Runners will do the out-and-back twice. Each 7.1-mile section features over 2,300 feet of elevation gain, extremely steep climbs and quad-trashing descents, numerous flights of stairs and epic views of the Pacific Ocean, Bay Area, Marin Headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge. Runners have 9 hours to finish the race, and unlike the classic Dipsea and Double Dipsea races, runners are not allowed to take shortcuts and must stay on the Dipsea Trail throughout the course.
Derby 50k
Our second stop takes us to Ellerbe, North Carolina, for the Magnum Track Club’s 22nd annual Derby 50k. Taking place over three loops of rolling hills on a combination of asphalt and dirt, the low-key “fun run,” while timed, does not have an official cutoff, making it a great first ultra for those seeing if they can cover the distance. Race highlights include running through North Carolina’s beautiful countryside, a supportive community of volunteers and runners, and a delicious pasta lunch known for its dessert featuring homemade cakes and banana pudding that are said to be worth running 31 miles for. Participants are encouraged to bring dog or cat food to donate to the Richmond County Operation Fix, with proceeds from the pasta lunch benefiting the local community programs and services.
PPTC Endurance Fest
Heading north, we travel to the heart of Brooklyn, New York for the Prospect Park Track Club (PPTC) Endurance Fest (50-mile and 50k). Created as “the spiritual successor” to the NYRR 60k and the Metropolitan 50 Miler, the event takes place on a 3.33-mile loop course on a flat and fast path through Prospect Park. With an aid station every loop, supportive fans that come out to cheer on the runners and a generous 15-hour cutoff, this is the perfect event for anyone looking to complete their first ultra or set a personal best. The 50-mile runners will run 15 loops through the park, while 50k runners will have to complete nine loops.
Wildcard: Squatchy Leftovers
In this week’s Wildcard race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with, we gobble on over to West Orange, New Jersey, for the Squatchy Leftovers (50k). Hosted by the great folks at Sassquad Trail Running who host epic trail parties throughout the year and “believe that everyone deserves a chance to enjoy the trails,” the Squatchy Leftover 50k (as well as shorter sub-ultra distances) take place on a 5k loop course that 50k entrants will run 10 times. The trails are a combination of dirt and gravel carriage roads, as well as technical single-track sections, with 289 feet of elevation gain per loop. Race highlights include the amazing “Dream Team” of volunteers, well-stocked aid stations and family-friendly activities including a one-mile kid’s race. The Squatchy Leftovers trail party helps to support Bigger Than the Trail, a nonprofit that provides cost-free therapy for anyone who needs it.
Other events this weekend include Sunset 6/12/24 Hour Endurance Run (Benton, AR), Guana River (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL), Colorado Cold Rush Ultra (Colorado Springs, CO), Bosque Bigfoot Trail Runs (Albuquerque, NM), Charleston Itty Bitty 50 (Mount Pleasant, SC), The Bulldog 24/12 Hour (Lake Worth, FL), and Seattle Ghost Marathon (Seattle, WA). Check out the full list of events on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar.
Good luck to everyone racing this weekend and Happy Thanksgiving!