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We’re nearly a month into fall, but our UltraRunning Calendar is still heating up. Highlights for the weekend of October 21 include Big’s Backyard Ultra last person standing in Tennessee, Surf the Murph 50/50 in Minnesota, Lake Sonoma 55/100k in California, and as always, a ton more.
In Bell Buckle, Tennessee, Big’s Backyard Ultra World Championships is going down with 77 entrants from over 30 countries. Participants will race around the 4.167-mile loop starting at 7 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, with a time limit of 1 hour. The event will continue with a lap each hour until there is only one runner remaining who can complete the lap within the hour. If no single runner completes it, there will be no winner. Follow along on Instagram as UR columnist Jared Beasley covers the event live from Bell Buckle.
Flying north, we land at the Surf the Murph 50k/50-mile races also Saturday in Savage, Minnesota. The race will be held at Murphy-Hanrehan Park adjacent to the birdwatching haven of Murphy Lake just 30 minutes south of the Twin Cities. The 50k is two loops and the 50-miler will be three loops, both with some single-track sections. Prizes will be awarded for the best Halloween costumes. Join in on the fun and register here.
Out west in Healdsburg, California, is the second Lake Sonoma weekend of the year, with the 55k and 100k events. Considered one of the most relentless course profiles anywhere, runners will take on winding single-track trails around the lake and conditions are expected to cool off just in time for race day. The weekend will be a lively scene for all athletes and crew, complete with on-site camping, live music, local food and drinks from Sonoma County. As always, the Lake Sonoma Race Series is a community event, with proceeds from all races supporting the Children of Vineyard Workers Scholarship Fund. Registration is full for this year.
There’s always more fantastic races to choose from on our extensive UltraRunning Calendar including, but certainly not limited to, the Palo Duro Trail Run 50k/50-miler in Amarillo, Texas, the Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 50k/100k/100-miler in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, the Pony Express Trail Run 50/100-miler in Faust, Utah, the Southern Discomfort 6/12/24/30-hour races in Albany, Georgia, the Tussey Mountainback 50k/50-Miler in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, Bimblers Bluff 50k in Guilford, Connecticut, and the Lake Hodges Trail Fest 50k in San Diego, California.
Where are you racing this weekend? Be sure to drop a note in the comments so everyone can follow along with What’s Up in Ultra in your local community.
2 comments
TROT, Texas Trail Racing Over Texas, is holding its own BIGS even (Big Tex) this weekend! We start at 7 a.m. at the 7 IL Ranch near Katy. Cal, RD, has a great course for us. In true Texas style, we are looking at a high of 90 degrees. This course gives no shade so it’s full sun during the day. We are all ready to get a loopy and see how far we can go.
Big’s Backyard is my pick for being cutting-edge and progressive in our sport. By having in essence a stage race (one-hour stages), it has made multidays accessible to many who would never try them otherwise. Results far beyond what I would have thought, in every corner of the Earth. It’s a format that’s also proven cheap and easy to replicate in other countries, for runners of all ages and abilities. Gary predicted they would head toward 500 miles, and so far it’s true!
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