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The second weekend of October features over 60 races on the UltraRunning Magazine race calendar. In this week’s What’s Up in Ultra, we travel to Pennsylvania, Utah, Ohio and Indiana. Let’s see what’s on deck.
Oil Creek 100
We kick things off in northwest Pennsylvania at Oil Creek State Park for the 16th annual Oil Creek 100 Trail Runs (100-mile, 100k and 50-mile ultra distances). Located near the site of the first successful commercial oil well in the US, Oil Creek State Park now offers a variety of recreational activities, including the 36-mile Gerard Hiking Trail where much of the Oil Creek 100 races will take place. The 100-mile runners will run three 50k loops inside the park plus an additional loop of 7.6 miles. Approximately 87% of the race will take place on trails and dirt, with the remaining 13% on asphalt. Runners will have 32 hours to navigate 17,627 feet of elevation gain to earn their finisher’s buckle, with a special buckle awarded to runners who finish sub-22 hours. The 100k participants will have 31 hours to run two 50k loops adding up to 11,026 feet of gain, while 50k runners have 17 hours to tackle one loop and 5,459 feet of vert. Race proceeds benefit Friends of Oil Creek State Park as well as other local races and events.
Moab 240
Our next stop takes us to Moab, Utah, for the Moab 240. Officially measuring in at 239.66 miles, with 31,564 feet of elevation gain, the Moab 240 takes runners on one giant loop through the Colorado River Canyons, Abajo Mountains, La Sal Mountains, and along the Porcupine Rim. Along their journey, participants will pass through a variety of terrain flanked by Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, including deserts, alpine forests and high-altitude mountains topping out at over 10,000 feet above sea level. The race begins on Friday at noon and ends at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, giving runners 117 hours to complete the loop. On the course, runners can utilize 15 fully stocked aid stations, five of which are also designated sleep stations.
Canal Corridor 100
Heading to my hometown of Akron, Ohio, we drop in on the 8th annual Canal Corridor 100-Mile Endurance Run. Beginning and ending at Missing Falls Brewery, the race takes runners from Akron to Cleveland and back on the beautiful Towpath Trail, through Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and alongside the Ohio and Erie Canalway. The flat and fast course takes place mostly on crushed limestone paths with less than 1,000 feet of elevation gain over the entire course. Runners have 30 hours to complete the race, with sub-24-hour finishers earning a special buckle. Canal Corridor 100 is hosted by two local nonprofits, Running Forward and Giving Back and Run to Share, who help out the people and places of Northeast Ohio. As a side note, for anyone who hasn’t had a chance to visit and run in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, we highly recommend it. The park offers endless miles of trails, and the Northeast running community is one of the best you’ll find anywhere.
Wildcard: Indiana Trail 100
In this week’s Wildcard race, where we feature an event you may not be familiar with, we head to Albion, Indiana, for the Indiana Trail 100 (100-mile, 75-mile, and 50-mile races). This race was chosen as the wildcard because I know a lot of folks may not be familiar with some of the classic 100-milers that take place in the Midwest. While most are familiar with the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (Old Dominion, Western States 100, Vermont 100, Leadville Trail 100 and Wasatch Front 100), the Midwest Grand Slam of Ultrarunning is often overlooked. Along with Kettle Moraine 100, Mohican Trail 100, Burning River 100 and Hallucination 100 Mile Run, the Indiana Trail 100 provides runners with a terrific trail running experience on some of the Midwest’s most beautiful trails. A nonprofit event managed by ultrarunners, the race is known for its amazing volunteers, welcoming atmosphere and picturesque trails through Chain O’Lakes State Park. The 100-miler runners will run four 25-mile loops, with 1,500 feet of elevation gain per loop. The 75-mile runners will tackle three loops, and 50-milers will run two. Net proceeds from the race benefit Chain O’Lakes State Park.
Other races this weekend include Grizzly Ultra (Canmore, AB), Glacial Trail 50 (Greenbush, WI), Green Monster Trail Challenge (Wellsboro, PA), Hainesport Hundred (Hainesport, NJ), Midstate Massive Ultra Trail (New Ipswich, NH), Cape Fear 24 Hour (Lillington, NC), Canyon De Chelly Ultra (Navajo Reservation, AZ), Angel’s Rest (Cascade Locks, OR), Kodiak Ultra Marathons (Big Bear Lake, CA) and Des Plaines River Trail Races (Vernon Hills, IL).
Check out the full list of events here and good luck to everyone racing this weekend!